What size pads

Do you like best with the rotary? I've purchased 2 white and 2 grey so far (6.5) I've done one job and I'm thinking perhaps I should have gone 5.5 instead, maybe the Makita might be easier to control at 5.5 but Im not sure.

 

I tend to favor the 3M UK foam pads and the Micro-Surface Tuf-Buf wool pads.

 

I use all 6 inch pads. I'm thinking that you're being to hard on yourself. Give it a chance or just go buy all 5.5 inch pads. It sounds like thats what you want to do. You can always use the 6.5" pads later when you get used the Makita...:shrug:

 

TBH I haven't used anything larger than 5.5" pads (for any machine) other than for applying LSP in almost 2 years. The smaller pads just make it so much easier to access tight areas. I don't see how anyone could buff an *entire* car using larger pads.

I just picked up some 6.5" PFW, but just because I also bought some 4" PFW pads for the areas the larger ones can't reach.

 

I like 5.5 and 6" pads.

 

I only use 5" or 5.5" pads. I like how you can get to just about anywhere on the car with those. Also the metabo doesn't play well with 6.5" pads or larger when you are using it for hours buffing. The only pads I have in the 6.5" range are my PFW pads.

 

I like 5-6" pads.

 

Smaller pads are advantageous for several reasons. Like the others have already stated, they can access the hard to reach places. The other thing to bear in mind is that a smaller pad generates more heat which makes correcting with it quicker. You'll work the same size area, that won't matter and if you use the method of picking up your compound/polish on the fly (as shown in buffing with confidence video or here locally on one of Nica's videos) you can just keep going with it and you will do a whole panel quicker b/c you don't need to stop and switch to a small pad to do the tricky areas.

 

5-6" for me

 

I use 5.5" pads most of the time. If I'm doing a large hood or roof I'll throw the 6.5" pads on.

 

i like to have a variety of pads at my disposal. i have 6.5" pads for hoods/roofs etc. 5.5" pads for doors, trunks, etc. 4" pads for tighter areas and headlights. i love my 4" PFW pads for compounding out RIDS easily.

 

I like your strategy, one which Im going to copy.

 

haha no problem. you'll figure out what size pads work best with what areas with experience. eventually you'll get it down to a point where you slap on a appropriate pad without even thinking about it. plus its not like pads are really that expensive. i figure why not have a reasonable variety of sizes. better safe than sorry.

 

I do like the price on 5.5 pads.

 

yeah detailers domain still has some buy one get ones on the flat 5" pads they have left in stock. the new uber flat pads should be good too. i just picked some of them up and they look pretty good. havent tried them yet.

 

I plan on ordering my rotary soon and getting the uber flat pads in different sizes. For the backing plates that they carry, theres only a 4" and 5-6" backing plate + the 3M one. Would the 4" one fit the 4" pads? Also, Phil I don't see a wool pad that would fit on the 4". Do you guys have a size that would?

 

You really don't want to use a 4" backing plate with 4" pads, a 3.5" backing plate is what you want for those size pads. Lake Country PFW pads comes in 4" sizes (which would work with the 3.5" BP).

As a rule of thumb, you always want to have a backing plate be, at the very minimum .25" (preferably .5") smaller than the pads you use it with.

 

Auto Geek sells 2 3/4" and 3 3/4" backing plates for the rotary.

 

Thanks, I'd rather order everything from one place. I just checked the AG site and saw the backing plates. Hopefully Phil can get a hold of those. So would 2 3/4 be good to use for 4" pads as well. It gives me the option of using 3" pads as well if I get that backing plate.

 

On a PC/UDM yes, but on a rotary like the OP asked, then no they don't. It will obviously focus the heat in a smaller area, but smaller pads actually spin slower on a rotary (than bigger pads) as opposed to faster on a RO machine.