Just Ordered a Flex. Now I Need Help With Pads

[The Critic]

Just ordered a Flex, Flex bag, M105, M205 and four microfiber bonnets.

Now, I need to order pads. I was originally set on ordering 6 pads, but some people on autogeek said it is wise to have nine pads or more.

What do you guys think?

If I were to go with nine pads, I was thinking:

1-- LC Yellow FLAT pad
3-- LC Orange FLAT pads
3-- LC White FLAT pads
2-- LC Black FLAT pads

Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[97prizm]

I detail cars for people on occasion, and I'd have to agree with auto geek. I have Two Meguires heavy cut pads, two med cut pass, two finishing pads, and three pads for final waxing. Depending on how poor the finish is it may take two or sometimes three detailing pads to really get the vehicle clean. Remeber as you detail the pads become clogged up with compound and what not.

 

[Patman]

For my buffer (which is a UDM) I find I only use the white and the black pads, the orange pads are way too abrasive and you end up need to do more work to clean up the mess they have made.

So when I'm removing swirls and scratches I simply use the white pad and go over the section a couple of times, and after this I'm ready to go straight to my final product, which I'll put on with the black pad.

FWIW, I've found great results using Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0 with the white pads, that knocks out a lot of the imperfections in my Corvettes black paint (which has pretty hard clear coat) and I find it a much easier product to work with (the other compounds I've tried are way too hard to buff off and make it a real chore)

 

[RTexasF]

Four orange,five white. Since 1996 I have only needed the yellow pads one time. That was with my Cyclo which doesn't have as much power as the Flex. As for the black finishing pads I have two never used ones I'll send to you at no charge. Both are LC, one is flat & one is dimpled. PM me here with your address and I'll get them to you in the next couple of days.

Smart move getting the Flex machine. As I advised before, consider an additional backing plate and a side handle. Some positions you will get into make it a little difficult to hold it by the top handle.

 

[bretfraz]

I'd skip the yellow unless you are planning to detail some badly oxidized paint. Even then, the orange pads will take care of most problems.

White pads are good all around pads. I like them for All In One products and light polishing. Black pads are great with M205. Add the deleted yellow pad to the black pad order and I think you are all set.

 

[MKZman]

I would also suggest skipping yellow. You can a lot done with M105 and a white pad.

 

[The Critic]

OK, I'll skip the yellow pads.

I'm deciding between RTexasF's suggestion of 5 orange and 4 white or three of each-- orange/white/black.

 

[RTexasF]

With the correct polish the Flex finishes down so well with LC white pads there is little reason to buy the black. Even using the black pads to spread wax or sealant is more time consuming than doing the same by hand. Would you at least acknowledge my offer above to send you some pads for free? If you don't want them that's fine but a "Thanks but no thanks" would be nice.

 

[GEWB]

If you are doing the vehicles in your sig and they are in fairly good shape, forget the yellow, use two orange (it would be RARE that you do the entire vehicle with an orange pad), four to six white and one black. Use the black only for the final polish step with products such as Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer (Flex DA at "5" with black pad).

With the orange or white and the polishes you ordered, don't run the Flex above "4" to get best results.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[The Critic]

Just ordered:

3- LC FLAT Orange
3- LC FLAT White
2- LC Hydro-Tech Tangerine
1- LC FLAT Grey

1 gal of ONR New Formula
1 gal of Meguiar's D151

Free shipping and 10% off at autogeek right now.

 

[GEWB]

Wow, a GALLON of ONR?
What kind of micro fiber cloths are you using?

Regards,
GEWB

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: GEWB
Wow, a GALLON of ONR?
What kind of micro fiber cloths are you using?

Regards,
GEWB

I plan to use it a lot. Or I can always sell some to someone locally.

I am using the Chemical Guys mf cloths.

 

[JHZR2]

I actually use ONR as a pre-spray on my cars when they get really dirty, to help shed some soil and add some lube before actually washing the surfaces.

It seems easy to go through a gallon...