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CVO Technical => Cleaning/Detailing => Topic started by: bikeman_ne on May 26, 2015, 05:25:32 PM
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Which size polisher do you recommend for your bike, 3" or 6"?
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Buy a Porter-Cable and get a 3" and 6" backing plate. I have both and I think if you do much polishing you will find you never use the 3" size. Buy the 7.5" pads with the curved lip, that way the base pad is protected from coming in contact with the painted surface. I have been using the Lake County pads for over 10 years and they, in my opinion are the best, Chemical guys are a second place choice here. For a new HD you will not need to do much if any cutting ever. Maybe a white pad for cleaning, maybe, but mostly a soft red or yellow to apply a carnuba type wax. I prefer the no-cut yellow for final wax and for applying top-coat products. Both my cars and the bike look amazing using these.
Any questions send me a PM, Auto-Geek is a good supply source.
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Don, thanks for the post. I have been afraid to use my PV on the bike. I use chemical pads on my black tundra and Meg's products. When I wax the bike I do it manually.
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Two thumbs up for the Porter Cable and Lake County pads. I never felt the need to use either on any of my Harleys, but they have done wonders on other vehicles. I can tell you I would never trust myself with a real buffer and wool pad, that would be ugly! I personally like the thick 3" concaved pads, easy to use and don't have to switch back/forth for tighter areas where it's required.
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Thanks Don, appreciate the input. Have always just done the manual for the other bikes and am somewhat hesitate of using a polisher.
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Do this. You will like it.
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g3500-da-power-system/ (http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g3500-da-power-system/)
- Dual motion avoids 'burn-in' or swirls.
- The sides are cushioned to avoid scratches.
- Pads attach with Velcro and can be thrown in the washer when done.
I love it for car and bike.
M
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Try the Porter-Cable on bike, First do fairing, front fender, side covers and bags with a good non-cleaner wax, wait a couple hours or so and follow up those same panels with a clean VERY soft wax pad using a Top-Coat shine enhancer product, then in the sun, compare with another bike like yours when you get the chance.
Some of these new buffers that have came on the market may be better and if someone has one they are impressed with and can compare it to the Porter-Cable let me know.
Also I have tried the very thick pads as spoken of in an earlier post, In my opinion they just asborb more product and do not perform equal to the Lake County thinner pads. If fact after buying my first one and using it, I could not figure for the life of me what convienced me to do that. But to each his own.
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Just my 2 cents...you're going to need a 3 inch pad for a bike...there's not enough surface area on a bike for a larger pad. I've found if you use a larger pad, you'll sling wax or polish everywhere because the pad is too big to be in contact with the surface all the time.
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Not the cheapest but an excellent product: Griot's Garage 3" Random Orbital (http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/professional+3+inch+random+orbital.do)
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Not the cheapest but an excellent product: Griot's Garage 3" Random Orbital (http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/professional+3+inch+random+orbital.do)
That is what I have as well...works great. Also, great service from those folks.
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I have one of the Girots 3" units, but it offers no advantage over a Porter Cable with 3" Lake County or similar pad and backing plate. Just makes you own two buffers that do the same thing, only the PC will run a large pad as well, the Girot will not, at least not for very long because it does not have the power, not a bad unit, just better stuff is available - cheaper.
As far as a post above using a small pad to cut down on wax sling.. wax sling NEVER happens, you do not squirt wax on a car or bike or the buffing pad then set the buffer down and turn it on. On any quality detail you massage the product into the pad, using your fingers or if you are really anal a plastic paddle - evenly before you start and you start the buffer while in contact with the paint. I do not sling wax and do my bike, and others with 7.5" pad regularly. I find the larger pad, on a bike much easier to use because you keep the actual buffer unit it self farther away from the bike, also a piece of rubber pipe insulation slipped over the buffer body keeps mishaps to a point where no maring is possible. Just my opinion and experience but not really worth much if anything.
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I have one of the Girots 3" units, but it offers no advantage over a Porter Cable with 3" Lake County or similar pad and backing plate. Just makes you own two buffers that do the same thing, only the PC will run a large pad as well, the Girot will not, at least not for very long because it does not have the power, not a bad unit, just better stuff is available - cheaper.
As far as a post above using a small pad to cut down on wax sling.. wax sling NEVER happens, you do not squirt wax on a car or bike or the buffing pad then set the buffer down and turn it on. On any quality detail you massage the product into the pad, using your fingers or if you are really anal a plastic paddle - evenly before you start and you start the buffer while in contact with the paint. I do not sling wax and do my bike, and others with 7.5" pad regularly. I find the larger pad, on a bike much easier to use because you keep the actual buffer unit it self farther away from the bike, also a piece of rubber pipe insulation slipped over the buffer body keeps mishaps to a point where no maring is possible. Just my opinion and experience but not really worth much if anything.
To each his own...small pad for smaller area, large pad for large area...
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I use the Adams polishes http://adamspolishes.com/shop/kits/4-polishing-kits.html I have the Cyclo machine with 2 x 4" pads and the Flex the cyclo works great on the bike the Flex has a 7" pad and works better on the car. I haven't tried the PC, the Adams polishes line really works incredible especially the detail spray and the Patriot wax
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Cyclo pro polisher
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Some great videos that show how to use the polishers and products. http://adamspolishes.com/video
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Not the cheapest but an excellent product: Griot's Garage 3" Random Orbital (http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/professional+3+inch+random+orbital.do)
2X
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I own griots 3" and 6". Both are great for waxing and light polishing. If you have a dark color bike try chemical guys black light. Best I've found for these low speed foam pad units. Harley uses air powered 3" wool pads with 3M product to remove blems on the line. I'm old school...detailed for over 10 years back in the day. Foam is great, but in the right hands wool will outperform it
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I suggest the Porter-Cable as much for durability as well as price. It is economical and will last a LONG time, even if used regularly. The Cyclo does look interesting though, I have wanted one for a long time just hate to spend the money when the one I have works fine. I do disagree with the above statement that a small pad is for small area and a large pad for large area, we all have opinions, but mine is different with that one. I really think the larger pad gives a better more even application as long as it wil fit, even if you can only use half the dia on a spot. IMHO.
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I suggest the Porter-Cable as much for durability as well as price. It is economical and will last a LONG time, even if used regularly. The Cyclo does look interesting though, I have wanted one for a long time just hate to spend the money when the one I have works fine. I do disagree with the above statement that a small pad is for small area and a large pad for large area, we all have opinions, but mine is different with that one. I really think the larger pad gives a better more even application as long as it wil fit, even if you can only use half the dia on a spot. IMHO.
Agreed...Thats why I have both sizes. I use a 20 pound orbital to wax my cars. On the bikes I use the 6" where it fits, then switch over to the 3". If your on a budget though...I'd say go with the 3" if its only for your bike. If your going to do your cars as well get the 6".