Hi,

I'm thinking about buying some Sonus foam pads for my porter-cable 7424 polisher from Autopia but they have two types of Sonus foam pads, SFX foam pads and DAS pads. Anyone knows the difference between the two?

Thanks,
Dennis

 

The DAS pad is a slight bit bigger, 7". It is recessed in the back where the backing plate fits in. It's bigger in diameter and thinner where it extends beyond the backing plate so it flexes more at the outside edge of the pad. This makes it "give" more on curves, which is good. The face is also slightly concavve.



The SFX pad is smaller. 6". It is flatter in profile. It is sometimes easier to use in smaller areas and is generally an easier pad to use for beginners because of the more manageable size.



What kind of buffing are you planning on doing? Perhaps I could recommend something. I have used most of these.

 

BradB,


Thanks. I'm going to polishing the badly neglected paint (water stain and scratches) on my Acura and also some detailing on my wife's new 05 MCSC.
Dennis

 

It may depend on how comfortable you are with the PC, if you use it a lot you could go with the DAS pads, but I really prefer the smaller SFX pads. I think they are easier to control and you can get into more places.

For damaged surfaces and for general cutting you will use the yellow pads the most. Get one or two of those. This will be for the heavier polishing compounds and swirl removers.

Get one of the white pads which you will use for follow up after the yellow pad. This will be for use with the finer swirl removers.

The blue pad is optional. I apply wax by hand instead. And you don't need them for any knind of swirl remover or glaze, the white pad is ok for that.

 

BradB,

I'm have never used PC polisher before so I think I'll go with the SFX foam pad. There's a Sonus SFX foam pad kit which includes all three foam pads you mentioned plus [font=Helvetica]DAS FlexPlate[/font] and [font=Helvetica]DAS Buffing Bonnet. What do you think about the kit for a new user like me?[/font]
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[font=Helvetica]Thanks,[/font]
[font=Helvetica]Dennis[/font]

 

I assume you mean this pad kit here. As described, the advantages of this backing plate is that it flexes pretty easily. This is good in that you can't put too much pressure in any one spot and risk damaging the paint. That's comforting to someone with less experince.* So that's a plus.

On the downside, there are instances when you come across deeper scratches, or angles when the method to remove them requires a firmer pressure and even a slight lunging or pushing to get to the area. The flexy backing plate won't provide enough pressure for these applications.

So it's a toss up. The backing plate is a little pricey, but it is a high quality piece. If money is no object I would say get it and use it on the cars until you run into a situation as described above and then switch to the standard plate that comes with the PC. The buffing bonnets that come with the kit can come in handy as time savers now and then.

We never discussed abrasives or swirl removers. What do you intend to use?

By the way, there is a AUTOPIA SALE on now. Use the code SAVEBIG when you check out and you will save 15%

Follow this link.

 

I'm thinking about using 3M Finesse It II and 3M Swirl Mark Remover. Not sure if I need 3M Fine-Cut Rubbing Compound.

 

BTW, I'm thinking zaino Z2, Z5, and Z6 on My wife's MINI that has bonnet stripes and clear bra, anything I need to watch out for?


Thanks

 

Finesse It followed by Swirl Mark Remover would be just perfect and likely all you will need.

No tricks to using Z2. But since you are doing all the polishing in advance, I would skip the Z5. You won't have any swirls to hide. Save the $. Z6 is a must, obviously. It's a great QD. Use ZFX with the Z2. I would also suggest Z7 shampoo. It goes a long way in keeping up the Zaino slickness and shine. Save on the Z5 and buy the Z7.

 

BradB...Good info you provided...I also use Z5 & Z2 and I am considering buying a PC with Sonus SFX pads. Zaino isn't real clear if there is any benifit to using a PC. What is your experience in applying and removing the products with a PC? I have some light spider webs on a clearcoated dark blue-gray late model car and did not have too much luck in removing them by applying a couple coats of Z5 by hand.

Thanks

 

I posted this before....here you go again....

No, there is no benefit in applying Zaino by PC vs Hand. There are no abrasives in Zaino at all. Z2 is optically clear. What you see on your paint is exactly what you will get. (only slicker and glossier, of course) Z5 has some fillers in it which will aid in disguising small swirls and mars in the paint. It does NOT remove them. If two coats of Z5 do not hide the defects then they will not be hidden by the Z5 and must be permanently "REMOVED" by a polish product with an abrasive in it.

I generally apply my Zaino by hand because it goes on so fast anyway and I waste much less product. And removal of Zaino is far easier than most sealants and carnaubas. Almost no residue at all. I never use a buffer. Definitely less bother to do it by hand.