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?

 

Whoh! Lots of questions.

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.

Good luck!