Just curious what you guys use to pick a pad diameter?? I'm using the PC orbital, and up til now have always used Meguiars 6" pads. But, need new pads and have been shopping around at other options and liking the LC CCS pads...or the DA pads which look just like the CCS pads. 5.5" pads seem to be highly recommended, but just curious what you base that on? Thanks guys!
Smaller pads will correct better. If you have the older pc, 6" pads are too big for the pc. Any slight pressure on the head and it will stop spinning. Even the newer pc xp should be used with 5.5" pads.
DA polishers don't have the same power as direct drive units(rotary, flex) and contains a clutch mechanism as a safety measure. It is because of these two reasons larger pads do not work as effectively as smaller pads do on a DA. With the limited power and clutch mechanism, when using big pads the larger surface area creates more surface tension and bogs the motor which will increase the time you spend polishing. With the use of smaller pads that surface tension is reduced allowing the motor to work easier and faster which in turn allows you to use more pressure, if need be to remove more serious defects, before the machine will bog down.
Thanks for the info guys! Does/should going with a 5.5" pad alter the speeds I've been using?? I've been using 4-5 for cleaning/polishing and 2 for LPS. But, this is also on my personal vehicles that are in pretty much excellent condition. Worst they ever end up is after the nasty winter months when they need that fresh spring cleaning. Guess like anything else, I can get the pads and experiment with the speeds??? Just for FYI, my PC has no problem spinning the 6" pads...I've never had it bog down. I do see it stop 'rotating' the pad and just orbiting...if that makes sense. But that may be normal.
