[TambourineMan]

Ok, so I got a Porter Cable 7336 for father's day. Now where's the best place to get the pads? Which ones do I get them? And how many do I need? I might being doing more than one car. I assume these are not washable/reuseable, correct?

[BK]

Congratulations! And welcome to the next level in detailing obsessiveness!

Do yourself a favor and do a search here and on autopia.org on "porter cable 7424 7336" to learn more about how to use it for the best results. I mention the 7424 because it's more common so easier to find with a search, but it's basically the same thing.

The pads your buffer uses are standard 6.5" hook and loop foam pads that you can buy from just about any detailing retailer online. You want Lake Country pads. I like the flat pads. I'd recommend George at Detailed Image, since he's one of the sponsors here. I've bought a bunch of stuff from him and have nothing but good things to say. Here are the buffer pads: http://www.detailedimage.com/Buffers-Pads-Misc-C20/

Pads are color coded, depending on how firm they are (more firm = more cut). For starters, I'd recommend getting 2-3 pads each of orange (polishing), white (light polishing), and blue (applying LSP).

You know, you also need to buy polish. If you only have light swirls, I'd recommend Menz 106FF.

Wash and clay your car, use your white pad with the 106FF, take your time, and you'll have a superb finish on your paint.

[TambourineMan]

Thanks for the advice and recommendations.

Car is only three months old. The surface seems smooth and there are no swirl marks on either so far (just some small round brown spots on the Outback.

I have only washed and polished it once using microfiber towels and Mequiers Gold Car Wash and NXT 2.0 polish.

[J-Sud]

+1 for detailed image link is in my Sig

[haper]

Originally Posted by TambourineMan

Ok, so I got a Porter Cable 7336 for father's day. Now where's the best place to get the pads? Which ones do I get them? And how many do I need? I might being doing more than one car. I assume these are not washable/reuseable, correct?

as a newbie here's what i did for my 2001 330ci, might not be perfect but will give you a starting point. my only recommendation other then what i did was purchase smaller pads, 5.5 inch or even 4 inch. they are easier to use and will provide better results w/ the PC you have.

Products:
clay
clay lube
menzerna SIP
menzerna 106FF
JetSeal 109
1:1 Isopropyl Alcohol (IAP) / distilled water mix
Flex 3401
3M blue painters tape
250W Halogen lamp
3 LC CCS orange pads
2 LC CCS white pads
1 LC CCS grey / black pad
12 MF towels
Waffle Weave drying towel

What I did, in order:
washed
clayed
washed
taped
removed license plates
removed front grill

menzerna SIP w/ orange pads
menzerna 106FF w/ white pads
IPA wipe down
JetSeal 109 (1st coat dried over night, 2nd coat dried 4 hours)
removed tape
final wash

How long:
washing, clay and tape: 90 mins
SIP: 5 hrs
106FF: 3 hrs
JetSeal: 30 mins per coat

Comments:
Spent a lot already on the products listed, so I skipped the glaze and wax steps to save some cash. Will add a layer of wax next month.
Could have used better lighting, might purchase one more halogen lamp and associated stand.
Difficult to tell level of paint correction and the 3M Sun Gun is too expensive, I have to look harder for a brinkman light.

how to use the polish w/ a machine buffer:
CCS Orange - Light Cutting Pads

• use w/ menzerna SIP
• prep pad by soaking in water (distilled if possible), ring out, place in terry cloth towel, spin w/ machine (in empty bucket to previde splattering)
• nickel size of polish for 18 x 18 inch section
• squirt three pea size dabs around the outer edge of pad
• blot / rub polish from pad onto surface b4 turning on buffer to avoid splattering
• start Flex at level 1 or 2 and move quickly to spread polish evenly
• then up it to 5 or 6 moving 1 inch per second over lapping 50%
• just b4 poilish breaks down drop to 3 and do one last pass to minimize hazeing
• 3 – 5 mins until broken down
• as polish thins out lighten up the pressure and increase movement
• stop once the polish breaks down (begins to dust)
• remove w/ microfiber towel
• the finish will not be perfect – it is normal as the SIP creates / leaves the smaller imperfections
• might need to a spritz of 1:1 solution Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) / distilled water to help remove

CCS White - Polishing Foam Pads

• use w/ menzerna 106FF (nano)
• follow same process as SIP
• all scratches, spider webs should be gone

CCS Black - Finessing Foam Pad

• used to apply JetSeal109
• speed 1 or 2 on your buffer
• use no pressure, do not work sealant in, use machine to spread sealant evenly
• apply sealant to entire car
• let wax haze up
• remove w/ MF