I've been using Chemical Guys Hex pads that came with my Das-6 Pro Plus kit. The wife managed to destroy the heavy cut pad last polishing up the outdoor table last night. As I have only one of each pad and they been used a few time and i'm looking at some replacements as even though they've been washed after use some are looking worn. BTW the table looks good

 

What are using and any bargains to be had i.e. unbranded pads?

I think most people use the CG Hex pads to be honest, you can get them from here:

 

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/chemical-guys-hexlogic-pads/cat_82.html

 

But seems out of stock on a few of the CG Hex pads range.

 

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/cat_2.html

On 28/04/2017 at 09:51, CWARD said:

I've been using Chemical Guys Hex pads that came with my Das-6 Pro Plus kit. The wife managed to destroy the heavy cut pad last polishing up the outdoor table last night. As I have only one of each pad and they been used a few time and i'm looking at some replacements as even though they've been washed after use some are looking worn. BTW the table looks good

 

What are using and any bargains to be had i.e. unbranded pads?

 

Have a look a look at the Lake Country pads or CYC's own offering, the Shinemate pads.

Lake country and chemical guys seem to be the main players 

I'd seen these which look suspiciously like the chemical guys pads. I'm tempted to give them a try. I've used there sanding discs previously which have been good. 

ZFE 7Inch 180mm Hex-Logic Buff Polishing Pad kit For Car Polisher Pack of 3Pcs https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012ZLTMM8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CWjbzbWJPZFQF

 

edit. Probably not in 180mm though 

Edited 29 April, 20179 yr by CWARD

On 29/04/2017 at 15:02, CWARD said:

I'd seen these which look suspiciously like the chemical guys pads. I'm tempted to give them a try. I've used there sanding discs previously which have been good. 

ZFE 7Inch 180mm Hex-Logic Buff Polishing Pad kit For Car Polisher Pack of 3Pcs https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012ZLTMM8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CWjbzbWJPZFQF

 

edit. Probably not in 180mm though 

 

 

The ZFE pads arent all that bad for light polishing duties - i've used then with reasonable success.

Only issue is the 2-3 weeks time on orders from China really - but give you a selection of pads for not a lot of cash.

 

For a step up - i like the KKD/LE Centriforce pads and the AD Correct-it pads are nice too.

 

As stated above - the CG Hex, LakeCountry and Shinemate pads are all good.

After another the CG Hex pads (orange) disintegrated in now time last week I order the ZFE pads and comparing them to the CG ones the the pads by colour have the same firmness, the backing a touch thinner but no less stiff. I'll let you know how I get on when  I use them, probably on the wife's car a BMW E82  

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B012ZLTETO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

How are they disintegrating ?? 

 

I use the hex logic quantum pads with the hole in the middle and I must have done about 8 really bad cars that needed a lot of cutting and apart from slight discolouration (my fault for washing with a black trim sponge by mistake) it's good as new virtually 

 

 

Mine are the standard hex without the hole. First one (yellow) started around the edges near backing plate, spitting bits of foam everywhere. It was in its second car. The second (green), the hex pattern started to tear on it's first outing. Both pads were used with CG V range of polish,  not too fast or too much pressure. 

You have either been very unlucky with a bad batch of pads 

Or you have too much heat build on the pads 

 

I generally use at least 2 of the same pads per car depending on size of car or correction required 

So 2 orange 

      2 white etc etc 

 

For cutting (orange pad) it's usually speed 3 as is the white pad for polishing 

 

For final glaze black or red pad I generally ramp up to 5 

 

It helps to put a black mark on the buffer backing plate so you can see the revolutions of the plate when applying pressure 

 

Don't want to teach you how to suck eggs but something seems a miss here 

 

 

As above I've only ever used CG Hex pads on my DAS 6 Pro and had no issues with Menzerna polishes. Done 3 cars with my White pad, and 2 have also had the Orange pad on and no issues with the pads breaking up. I really rate them and wouldn't consider any other pads than CG, but heard good things about Lake Country too.

 

1 hour ago, malcster said:

You have either been very unlucky with a bad batch of pads 

Or you have too much heat build on the pads 

 

I generally use at least 2 of the same pads per car depending on size of car or correction required 

So 2 orange 

      2 white etc etc 

 

For cutting (orange pad) it's usually speed 3 as is the white pad for polishing 

 

For final glaze black or red pad I generally ramp up to 5 

 

It helps to put a black mark on the buffer backing plate so you can see the revolutions of the plate when applying pressure 

 

Don't want to teach you how to suck eggs but something seems a miss here 

 

 

 

Probably like most I've taught myself through videos and reading forums but welcome any advice. 

 

I had been using the one pad per car, not two as you had. I tend to spread the polish on speed one the build it up to four. I had marked up the back plate as you'd said with at 3, 6, 9 and 12 when I first got it after watching watching a YouTube video, I think it might have even been a CG one. 

When the yellow has disintegrated I thought it might have been heat but it was only warm to the touch. On the green I kept checking on the pad and definitely didn't get hot. 

The first pad I did the pea size drops of polish to the pad before applying to the car but after that fell to bits I looked for more info.  One stated that it was important to prime the pad by basically applying small amounts then gently massage into the pad with your finger tips to evenly cover it all then do the pea size drops.

 

From what you've stated I may be running the speed one too high and need to use an additional pad for a full car polish. 

 

My polisher is the DAS 6 pro plus. 

Edited 12 June, 20178 yr by CWARD

I only have one mark on the backing plate that way I count the rpm 

 

Usually a quick spray with quick detailer prior to commencement 

 

If you are in the east  Midlands I can drop you a few spare pads round to try 

 

I have exactly the same polisher  btw

 

It's ok altering the speed once the polish is spread but in the sense you need to then reduce the pressure and working an area no bigger than 2x2 ensuring the correct number of passes 

 

I can link you to a good guide on detailing world forum if you like 

Unfortunately I'm a far distance from you, otherwise I would have taken you up on the offer. 

 

I work on no more than 2'x2' when working and try to keep the travel speed at an inch per second with 4-6 passes in each direct working on a grid pattern.

 

I will try these new pads with less speed and pressure, although with the pressure it hasn't been enough to slow the machine down just alter the pitch slightly. Will use the spray detailer too. 

 

Thanks again for the help.