Best places to buy Mirka Abralon in small quantities?

[ZoranC]

Could you please reffer me to best places online and locally (I am in Los Angeles / Orange County) to buy Mirka Abralon in small quantities (like few to several pads at the time)?

Thank you in advance!

[ZoranC]

Nobody?

[Mike Phillips]

Do a google search for auto body supplies and you might find an online vendor that sales eaches instead of complete packs, you might also try your local PBE store.


How to locate a PBE Store in your hometown (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1504)


What are you working on?

[ZoranC]

Hi Mike,

Do a google search for auto body supplies and you might find an online vendor ...
That's what I was hoping to avoid (shooting in the dark). I heard Meguiar's has a close working relationship with Mirka so I was thinking somebody here would be able to point me to the right hookup. I was subconsciously not considering looking for local PBE stores as I assume many of them don't sell in singles and have business hours that match businesses (in other words don't work weekends and enthusiasts like me are at their day jobs at week days). I might be wrong.

What are you working on?
Advance gathering of supplies to try my hand at learning wet sanding.

[the other pc]

I recommend ace Meguiar's distributor and NXT Tech Institute (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5224) instructor Kevin Brown (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=554). He keeps the high numbered Mirka products on hand. He's in Santa Maria so shipping down here will be fast. (Or, if you’re up for a pretty drive north, I guess you could pick stuff up.)

I was at Austin Hardwoods in Santa Ana the other day. They had a few Mirka abrasives on the shelf but nothing finer than about #1000.

You could also try asking Mirka directly. Call "Mirka Mark" Willie at Mirka-USA, 800-843-3904.


PC.

[Acenas]

Why not use Megs unigrit paper? Whats the difference?

Thanks

[the other pc]

Mirka’s Abralon pads are a sandwich of an abrasive cloth face, a foam core and a loop backing.

They go as fine as #4000. They’re typically used with a pneumatic DA sander but they can also be used by hand. The cloth and foam construction allows water to flow through them.


PC.

[sneek]

I remember seeing them on amazon, but i don't know if they are still there

[Brian Hann]

I can't say with %100 certainty that they will have exactly what you need, but the first place I would look is Senik Paint. They have locations both in Costa Mesa and Orange. They carry a ton of Meguiar's Pro line and are a great source for professional supplies.

[the other pc]

Senik doesn’t carry the Mirka line.


PC.

[ZoranC]

I recommend ace Meguiar's distributor and NXT Tech Institute (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5224) instructor Kevin Brown (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=554).
PC, thanks for the pointer.

You could also try asking Mirka directly. Call "Mirka Mark" Willie at Mirka-USA, 800-843-3904.
I did call them before posting here but not "knowing" anybody it was a cold call, I was given # of rep, left a message, and nobody called me back. So I posted on forums. Now that I have some name I will try again.

I was at Austin Hardwoods in Santa Ana the other day.
God, I haven't been there in ages. I completely forgot they exist.

Thank you again!

[ZoranC]

Mirka’s Abralon pads are a sandwich of an abrasive cloth face, a foam core and a loop backing.

They go as fine as #4000. They’re typically used with a pneumatic DA sander but they can also be used by hand. The cloth and foam construction allows water to flow through them.

Also, one of cars I have in mind has body lines with edges like BMW Z4 does. Thought of working around them with paper makes me (newb) subconscioulsy uncomfortable.

Thing that I know nothing about is grades though. I mean Abralon has 1000, 2000, and 4000. Unigrit has 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000.

Is jump from 2000 to 4000 in Abralon too big? And from 1000 to 2000? I assume if they felt something in between is needed they would be making it but I would like to hear your input.

If I get Abralon would I still want some of Unigrit? If yes why?

[ZoranC]

OK, can somebody tell me what's up with detailing guys? I mean every single one I meet is great person from what I see. Today I had a pleasure to meet Kevin Brown and see some incredible work he is on. Mike Phillips we all know. Then other guys, both here and on other forums.

What is it about detailing guys that makes them so polished? Err ... I think I just answered my own question :o (J/K)

Kevin, I said in person and I would like to also say it publicly: Thank You!