Variable contour/contact pads available in the UK?

[BenP]

If so where?

I've heard these are slightly easier to use with the rotary than flat pads. Also, I'd be welcome to any backing plates around that have a "knob" in the middle or any other way of centering the pads. The Meg's backing plate has nothing and it's nigh on impossible to get the pad centered.

Thanks,
Ben.

[tosh]

These are the Lake Country pads - I got mine from www.polishedbliss.co.uk - fast and reasonable postage...

--Tosh

[GlynRS2]

Yes these are the Lake Country pads, which I have. Also available at Clean & Shiny

[Brazo]

Hi Ben on a personal note I found these pad types impart holograms easier than a flat pad??!!

[L200 Steve]

Hi Ben on a personal note I found these pad types impart holograms easier than a flat pad??!!

I find these a lot harder to get the results with that I can get using flat pads, but this may just be me. Having to get the pad to stay consitently flat, while concentrating on the other issues you get with the rotary seemed a little too much like hard work.

I've 'killed' a LC White pad using #83 and the Metabo in under 10 minutes by using insufficient pressure on the pad.

They are nice pads, but controlling a flat pad seems 10 times easier to me.

[Brazo]

^^Still prefer the LC for pc use mind :p - Just :thumb:

[BenP]

Well it that case can someone tell me where I can learn how to use a rotary properly?! I'm quite happy to pay, but I really need some pointers as I have a number of neglected cars that the PC can't cope with, yet I'm too new the rotary to have the confidence to go at it properly.

Am happy to travel anywhere as well!

Please! There must be someone out there! I have to say I don't have that much confidence in going to Autoglym or Autosmart for their training - I'm not after a course in how to hologram the hell out of cars!

Ben

[Brazo]

Ben would you consider a digital refinishing guage to give you the confidence? I'm not seling one but they are available on ebay and can tell you just how much paint you are removing?

[BenP]

It's not how much paint I'm taking off that worries me so much, it's controlling the polisher. With the PC, I pick it up and everything is second nature, with a rotary, I'm always wondering what I'm doing wrong, I can't control splatter at all, and I always leaves holograms behind (albeit small ones). I also have no idea about how to keep it flat over curved surfaces and am paranoid about ridges etc (such as around wheel arches).

I basically want someone to watch what I'm doing and tell me how and where I need to improve so that the rotary becomes second nature, just like the PC is now.

Ben

[Alex L]

I'd talk nicely to Steve Ben.
and Leeds cant be that far from you( maybe a couple of hours?)

[WX51 TXR]

Not sure if folk have given the right info above - I do stock the 7.5" advanced variable contour/constant pressure pads from Lake Country, but I haven't sold many yet - have sold a pile of contoured 6.5" pads though. With the 7.5" pads the trick is don't use them flat - sounds strange, but if you use them on the outer third only (between 20 - 30 degrees) they are much more controllable and actually very pleasant to use - plus this also gives greater cutting power. I spoke to Jon at Classic Motoring about this at length, and this is the way most folks in the US seem to use these pads. I haven't used them enough yet to 100% support this method, but I will be doing so over the coming months, and I will post my findings. :)

[BenP]

Not sure if folk have given the right info above - I do stock the 7.5" advanced variable contour/constant pressure pads from Lake Country, but I haven't sold many yet - have sold a pile of contoured 6.5" pads though. With the 7.5" pads the trick is don't use them flat - sounds strange, but if you use them on the outer third only (between 20 - 30 degrees) they are much more controllable and actually very pleasant to use - plus this also gives greater cutting power. I spoke to Jon at Classic Motoring about this at length, and this is the way most folks in the US seem to use these pads. I haven't used them enough yet to 100% support this method, but I will be doing so over the coming months, and I will post my findings. :)
Looks like I may have to grab a few off you and put this to the test as the reason I mentioned these pads in the first place was because it appears you don't have to keep them flat.

Ben

[JJ_]

Ben I wouldnt mind about the holograms too much, I leave them with the Meguiars Maroon pad and ssr2.5, but I always finish with a PC as I find the Rotary can still leave micromarring no matter how fine a pad or polish you use. The difficulty using Meguiars low abrasive polishes is that I feel they contain too many fillers when achieving a flawless finish.

Im pretty sure that Mike on MOL still suggests a PC as a final step to gain the flawless finish.

Im no expert but I find its sooooooo much quicker than a PC and when your in business or even a weekend warrior thats so important.

Look for the guy on Autopia with the cive coupe (blue) red wheels, he just sold it for an older accord he is a true master with the rotary as is Sean (Gsr Stilez)

John.

[AndyC]

It's not how much paint I'm taking off that worries me so much, it's controlling the polisher. With the PC, I pick it up and everything is second nature, with a rotary, I'm always wondering what I'm doing wrong, I can't control splatter at all, and I always leaves holograms behind (albeit small ones). I also have no idea about how to keep it flat over curved surfaces and am paranoid about ridges etc (such as around wheel arches).

I basically want someone to watch what I'm doing and tell me how and where I need to improve so that the rotary becomes second nature, just like the PC is now.

Ben

Coulnd't have said it better myself Ben - anyone out there available to help?

[Brazo]

Don't suppose your around on Thursday are you Andy ;)

[AndyC]

Not during the day mate - but I have a 4 day weekend coming up 17-20 (ie next weekend). Friday's booked to sort out the missus' new car and then I've got some work on at Zorba's which I'm waiting to hear on.

What you got in mind?