You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
But I have no clue regarding the types of pads to use. I read some of the articles, but I thought they were vague, requiring me to maybe buy more pads than I need. Also what type (brand)?
I use Klasse AIO and SG usually followed by P21s wax. Also, on my older car I want to polish with 1Z Ultra Paint polish (came highly recommended by NA Car care, before 1Z became persona non grata).
So which specific pad would I use for polish, for AIO, and for SG? Which pad should I use for buffing? I assume keep each pad for its unique application, is that true for buffing too (can I use the same pad to remove the polish AND the AIO, for example?)?
Has anyone experience with the Griots pads?
I see they have a pad for the paint clay- is that a wise procedure to do with the Porter cable?
1. I use the Sonus pads sold at www.autopia-carcare.com (and lots of other places). I've got the 7 inch ones that come with 4 grades of pads. The kit comes with fairly good instructions on which pad to use when, but the 4 grades come out to (1 orange) compounding (2 green, I think) light-compounding (3 blue, I think) polishing (4 grey) wax/sealant application. I got the set with the purchase of the PCDA. You could probably skip one of the middle ones (blue or green) if you want to save a bit of cash... or maybe the orange one if your car is in good shape.
2. I remove all of the polish before sealing. I wouldn't recommend doing both with the same one... the solvents in the paint polish will probably not jive with the AIO.
3. I can't imagine the need to clay by machine... you only need 2 or 3 passes with clay to get silky smooth... I just don't see a benefit of having several hundred passes... It would just introduce the chance of getting a bit of grit in the clay and making 200 scratches in 10 seconds rather than 2 or 3... Claying is a very hands-on process... feeling the finish and the clay for particulates and finish quality... I just can't see any benefit in machine-claying.
4. I don't apply wax/sealants with the PCDA. The 7inch pads are too big and soak up too much sealant and/or wax. I shot through half a can ($15) of P21S wax on my wife's SUV using the 7inch grey foam pad to apply. I just got a set of the smaller 4 inch pads at autopia and may give that a shot, but Zaino/Klasse is just so easy to apply on a clayed and polished finish... why not just hand apply with a small foam applicator?
5. Buffing - My kit came with some waffleweave microfiber bonnets to buff off. I found them to be too small to buff off the entire car (Zaino Z2), so I just pop the orange pad on, drop a clean buffing microfiber towel on the car and run the PCDA on top of the microfiber at a low speed.
