8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

[rover137]

Hi all

After 2 attempts of hand polishing my new car I have decided to invest in a decent DA.

Here in Aus this one looks good and says it matches with megs pads:

https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care-panel/power-cleaning/polishers-accessories/mechpro-blue-variable-speed-polisher-150mm-mpbp150/p/A5350610

The pad it matches with is:

https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care-panel/power-cleaning/polishers-accessories/meguiar-s-150mm-foam-da-polishing-disc-6-inch-dfp6r/p/A5383197

Thr backing plate of the DA is 5

[Nick Winn]

Re: 5 inch backing plate, 6 inch pad?

I would recommend starting with either a more standard throw 8MM D/A which has a lot of torque like our Meguiar's MT300/MT310 or a 15mm D/A of your choice. 21mm D/A is going to be way too much for just starting out IMO. You should run 5 Inch Pads on either an 8MM or 15MM D/A for the most part. Our D/A can run 3 or 4 Inch pads.

[rover137]

Re: 5 inch backing plate, 6 inch pad?

Hi Nick

Thanks for your post, appreciate.

I’ve had a look for the MT 300 but it’s not easy to come by here in Aus.

I’ve found this which says it is Megs and 15mm. Does this one look familiar to you?

https://www.automegastore.com.au/autocosmetica-dual-action-da-polisher?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItrKH_4Lm6gIVVX8rCh3fZgKyEAQYASABEgJZdfD_BwE

Thanks!

[Old Bear]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

rover137 mentions: "I’ve found this which says it is Megs and 15mm. Does this one look familiar to you?
https://www.automegastore.com.au/aut...SABEgJZdfD_BwE"

I think the advertisement for that one says that the Meguiars 5 inch microfiber pads will fit.

That likely means that there is an approx. 5 inch backing plate with a hook and loop system.
Meguiar's released a newer 5 inch backing plate a few years ago with a hook and loop specification that improved the connection to their newer pads. It transfers more of the tools work to the paint.

[rover137]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

Thanks old bear, makes sense. I was just wondering if there was any endorsement or affiliation. I wonder if that means this one has the new hook and backing plate?

Do you know if there is much difference between 12 and 15mm throw?

[Old Bear]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

It is not likely that it has a Meguire's backing plate.

[drumdan]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

I love the 12mm Rupes Duetto.

We have the 21 and 15 at work, but the 12 is still my favorite - unless the panels are huge, then I'll use the 21.

[rover137]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

Nice, I found a 12mm shine mate here which has some reviews and is meant to be similar to the Rupes, but obvs not as good!

The 12mm DA I’m looking at has a 5 inch plate so I assume the 5 inch pads fit this one. Finding the megs pads here in Aus is difficult! I did find 2 stores selling the 5 inch flat megs pads but they are $25 for one!

im thinking my car has really soft paint (black Hyundai) - do you think UP on a yellow pad would have too much cut and the black would be better?

I was looking at the lakes pads which are much much cheaper here in Aus but their system is so confusing!

thanks!
thanks

[Nick Winn]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

Nice, I found a 12mm shine mate here which has some reviews and is meant to be similar to the Rupes, but obvs not as good!

The 12mm DA I’m looking at has a 5 inch plate so I assume the 5 inch pads fit this one. Finding the megs pads here in Aus is difficult! I did find 2 stores selling the 5 inch flat megs pads but they are $25 for one!

im thinking my car has really soft paint (black Hyundai) - do you think UP on a yellow pad would have too much cut and the black would be better?

I was looking at the lakes pads which are much much cheaper here in Aus but their system is so confusing!

thanks!
thanks

Ultimate Polish on one of our Soft Buff D/A Foam Polishing Pads (Yellow) is a very mild combination when talking just the pad & liquid itself. If this combination does not provide to remove the present defects to your satisfaction, a good next step up is our Ultimate Compound, on a seperate or clean DFP5. Check out this article for more info:

D/A Polisher Basics with Meguiar's MT300

[rover137]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

Ultimate Polish on one of our Soft Buff D/A Foam Polishing Pads (Yellow) is a very mild combination when talking just the pad & liquid itself. If this combination does not provide to remove the present defects to your satisfaction, a good next step up is our Ultimate Compound, on a seperate or clean DFP5. Check out this article for more info:

D/A Polisher Basics with Meguiar's MT300

That’s what I was thinking Nick - and then on to the burgundy pad of that didn’t work. Do you know of any outlets in Australia that sell the 5” discs? As mentioned above, they appear to be 3 times the price here for some reason and not result available.

thanks

[Nick Winn]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

That’s what I was thinking Nick - and then on to the burgundy pad of that didn’t work. Do you know of any outlets in Australia that sell the 5” discs? As mentioned above, they appear to be 3 times the price here for some reason and not result available.

thanks

Sure thing feel free to ask us as many additional questions as you would like. I would recommend contacting Meguiar's Australia direct for most accurate info on distributors/retailers:

https://www.meguiars.com.au/contact-us/

[rover137]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

Sure thing feel free to ask us as many additional questions as you would like. I would recommend contacting Meguiar's Australia direct for most accurate info on distributors/retailers:

https://www.meguiars.com.au/contact-us/

Thanks Nick, appreciate the help. I’ll give them a call re megs pads availability here in Aus.

if they are hard to get hold of I will use the LC pads I think. Is there a quick guide or resource available that shows which LC pads are equivalent/comparable to the Megs range?

[drumdan]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

Nice, I found a 12mm shine mate here which has some reviews and is meant to be similar to the Rupes, but obvs not as good!

The 12mm DA I’m looking at has a 5 inch plate so I assume the 5 inch pads fit this one. Finding the megs pads here in Aus is difficult! I did find 2 stores selling the 5 inch flat megs pads but they are $25 for one!

im thinking my car has really soft paint (black Hyundai) - do you think UP on a yellow pad would have too much cut and the black would be better?

I was looking at the lakes pads which are much much cheaper here in Aus but their system is so confusing!

thanks!
thanks

If you find the Ultimate Polish / Yellow foam too harsh, then yes, you'd want to try the black foam finishing pad.

Lake Country has a couple series of pads for long throw polishers (12mm and up), that have a very limited range of colors.

What's nice about the Meguiar's range, is that there are only three pads to think about.

[rover137]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

If you find the Ultimate Polish / Yellow foam too harsh, then yes, you'd want to try the black foam finishing pad.

Lake Country has a couple series of pads for long throw polishers (12mm and up), that have a very limited range of colors.

What's nice about the Meguiar's range, is that there are only three pads to think about.

I would love to use Meg's pads as i exclusively use Megs for everything else but unfortunately here in Aus they are difficult to track down. I've called Megs HQ Aus and was given a couple of retailers to go to which i did. They can order in Megs pads for me but at the price of 3-4x higher than other brands. I'd love to get these but if i'm buying 2-4 pads of each cut then i just can't justify the difference in cost vs the competition.

I think I've settled on the 12mm DA and maybe even the pads of the same brand which seem to be getting some good reviews - https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...ate-pad-refill

From what i can tell the 12mm DA cant swap backing plates so the 5" is it. Is this going to be ok for a beginner and reach most areas of the car?

I have some general questions about UP which i might start a new thread for in detailing 101 forum.

Thanks

[Nick Winn]

Re: 8mm/15mm/21mm throw - first timer

I would love to use Meg's pads as i exclusively use Megs for everything else but unfortunately here in Aus they are difficult to track down. I've called Megs HQ Aus and was given a couple of retailers to go to which i did. They can order in Megs pads for me but at the price of 3-4x higher than other brands. I'd love to get these but if i'm buying 2-4 pads of each cut then i just can't justify the difference in cost vs the competition.

I think I've settled on the 12mm DA and maybe even the pads of the same brand which seem to be getting some good reviews - https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...ate-pad-refill

From what i can tell the 12mm DA cant swap backing plates so the 5" is it. Is this going to be ok for a beginner and reach most areas of the car?

I have some general questions about UP which i might start a new thread for in detailing 101 forum.

Thanks

It looks like the actual face of those pads will probably measure larger than 5", but yes, as you mentioned for a beginner to reach most areas of the car, you will be more than fine. We actually used to use 7" diameter pads on a 8mm throw D/A for years. However, our old G110v2 Dual Action Polisher used to be able to switch to a small backing plate for small pads. I am bringing this up again because at some point you will likely want smaller pads for smaller areas.