Best equipment for random orbit polisher?
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Atlantic Canada
Car: 87 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Best equipment for random orbit polisher?
I picked up a 6 inch porter cable random orbital polisher, and need a nicer backing plate and pads for it... I just don't want to spend a fortune on some foam pads.
What are some of the better pads that are fairly priced? There's the cheap chinese foam ones on amazon for $5 for 20 pads, but I doubt those are engineered in any way, and then there are the "name brand" ones that are just way too much, considering you need to change pads a few times to do a full car in each stage.
Not sure what polishes I'll be using yet, this is my first go at this.
What are some of the better pads that are fairly priced? There's the cheap chinese foam ones on amazon for $5 for 20 pads, but I doubt those are engineered in any way, and then there are the "name brand" ones that are just way too much, considering you need to change pads a few times to do a full car in each stage.
Not sure what polishes I'll be using yet, this is my first go at this.
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From: New England
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Best equipment for random orbit polisher?
I like Lake Country and Meguiars. I’m starting to get into the microfiber stuff..
You should clean the pads after each panel. You don’t need to go through a ton of pads to do a whole car. There’s a lot of different techniques for cleaning pads and some guys like the pad washers, but they’re pricey.
warm water and a sink and terry towels are good when the job is done and just rinse until the water wrings clear and all the old product it out of the pad..
some people use dish soap or cleaners.. Chemical Guys makes a pad cleaning spray..
You should clean the pads after each panel. You don’t need to go through a ton of pads to do a whole car. There’s a lot of different techniques for cleaning pads and some guys like the pad washers, but they’re pricey.
warm water and a sink and terry towels are good when the job is done and just rinse until the water wrings clear and all the old product it out of the pad..
some people use dish soap or cleaners.. Chemical Guys makes a pad cleaning spray..
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Best equipment for random orbit polisher?
I just use dish soap.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 746
Likes: 24
From: Atlantic Canada
Car: 87 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: Best equipment for random orbit polisher?
How dry do the pads need to be before I put them to a panel?
Still a few weeks away before the car rolls out of the garage, but I would like to treat it once it's finally back on the street.
Still a few weeks away before the car rolls out of the garage, but I would like to treat it once it's finally back on the street.
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: New England
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Best equipment for random orbit polisher?
Dry pads are bad anyways.. you should always prime the pad.. some guys use a spray bottle with water on pads too
You shouldn’t have to wash the pads.. clean the pads with a towel as you go.. the spent product (and residue) will mostly come off onto the towel. I would wash the pads after..
If a pad is getting too much build up it won’t cut good.. take your time, clean off the pad quickly in between panels/sections, don’t use too much product, and prime the pad..
there’s lots of good videos out there that explain good polishing technique as well..
You shouldn’t have to wash the pads.. clean the pads with a towel as you go.. the spent product (and residue) will mostly come off onto the towel. I would wash the pads after..
If a pad is getting too much build up it won’t cut good.. take your time, clean off the pad quickly in between panels/sections, don’t use too much product, and prime the pad..
there’s lots of good videos out there that explain good polishing technique as well..
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BluthndrZ28
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Apr 21, 2003 10:38 AM