Recently I made an order for: 5.5" pads 4x Orange 4x White 4x Black (adding to my current 5.5", 2x Orange, 2x Blue, 1x Red) and, 4" 2x Orange 2x White 2x Black Can I manage a car in one session? If so what is the best way to do so? Or will I need more pads?
Seriously? If you wash the car real good and clay it, You should really only need ONE of each pad. Unless you are detailing a 747. Joe D
Deep Gloss Auto Salon and I think Asphalt Rocket told me when placing my order that they go through 6 of each pad as they get gunked up with polish. Still waiting on a very concrete answer.
I hope you do realize how much work it is to do the whole car in one shot... I remember I wanted to finish mine in one set, but it stretched out to 4-5 days. Just too much time and work (and sweat now that we are in summer) really. If you do go for one session, figure something like 1 pad = 1-2 panels - better be safe then run out of pads... But that's for orange pads - they see the most work and abuse. I would figure 2-3 white/black pads should be enough for a car all in one shot (tempted to say 1 pad will be enough, but again - better stay on a safe side and have an extra pad).
That depends on the paint condition. I don't know if my car was polished before me (most likely it was, but that must have been a long time ago), but there is no way I could have finished it with one orange pad. Event after breaking it all in 4-5 days, by the time I finished on a car, original orange pad was ready for the garbage and last 2 panels were done with a new spare orange pad I had... I'll agree though, after that initial polish, I do not see myself needing more then one orange pad for the whole car - I simply won't let paint get to the shape it was in before my first polish.
Two of each is more than enough for your own vehicles. However, if you're really stringent on time, having more pads will only help. You could certainly use some PFW or Tuf-Buf wool pads though if you want to take out some really bad stuff.
The absolute bare minimum 2 orange, white and possibly back pads, 1 blue pad would work to put on the sealant. I would recommend 4 orange, 3 white/black, 2 blue Also to remember to clean your pads frequently
I would add 4 yellow and 4 green :knit: If a pad even starts to act funky I toss it in the bucket and grab a fresh one :golf:
As pads get caked they start to cut less until spurred/cleaned properly. Then you've got a wet pad that's not very effective either. Have at least two per pad (or more) to do the job right. :bla2::bla2:
Unless you're doing a very large SUV, two of each are good for polishing pads. When it comes to an LSP pad, you're fine with just one.
I figured that cutting pads would get more use when doing a vehicle so 4 of those should be plenty right? Again, thanks to those who helped out Lastly, the 4" pads won't get used too often when doing a car so 2-3 of each is enough right?
After doing the CRV, my fathers RX and my uncles RX, I have my dads friend bringing his 2004 Corvette in yellow. I got SIP, PO85RD, M205, M105, HD Uno at my disposal. How hard is the clear?
I think you have a sufficient supply of pads but the number of pads you'll use is more dependent on the condition of the paint. If the finish is in good condition and you're removing swirls and finer defects then 2 orange, 2 white, and 2 gray or blue will suffice. Keep an eye on the condition of the pad and clean on the fly. Assuming that the surface is clean and clayed the following will give spectacular results. Menzerna Super Intensive PO83Q - Orange Pad Menzerna Super Finish PO106FA - Gray or White Pad Menzerna Final Polish PO85RD - Gray or Blue Pad Once the paint correction is complete then top it with your favorite sealant then wax. Keep in mind that many sealants require a 12 hour cure time before allowing any water to come in contact with it.
Like BobbyG mentioned, it really depends on how bad the vehicles are that you are working with. If they're pretty bad, you may need one or two additional cutting pads but if you somewhat regularly maintain your vehicles, you may not really need as many cutting pads (depending on the hardness of your clear).
