NEW: Optimum Micro Fiber Pads!!

mikenap said:
God, I hope so. The Meg's 3" size just doesn't make sense.
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gmblack3 said:
For cutting power and tight areas they make the most sense.



Evo 3d
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I like the 3" pads and have a PC set up with a 3"bp and just picked up a Griots 3" machine. Works for me in tight spaces. Still looking forward to what Dr.G is coming out with. Especially since these will be for both DA and rotary use according to Chris at Optimum.
 
gmblack3 said:
For cutting power and tight areas they make the most sense.



Evo 3d
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I agree on both counts Bryan. My gripe is that 4" is a more common standard for pads and would at least like a 4" option along with the 3". Also, the only true 3" DA-specific backing plate I'm aware of is the Mirka BP that Kevin Brown sells and it's not readily available anywhere I know of other than through Kevin. I've never felt comfortable with the IDEA of rotary backing plates with PC-adapters, but I've never used them so they might be safe. But I agree that 3" pads have their place, I just wanted to see some 4" MF pads as well.
 
I think the thought process regarding sizing on the microfiber discs (3-3/8" actual) was a two-fold deal:



1. To allow them to be used with air-powered or electric machines, without requiring a change out of the commonly used 2-7/8" diameter plate.



2. To allow them to have enough support when using those plates.



Originally, the 3" discs were going to be even smaller in diameter, by perhaps 1/4". It was decided that most guys would prefer a larger cushion zone. Otherwise, some feared that a curved area might be damaged by the backing plate, should it contact the polishing surface (curved bumper covers, trunk-mounted spoilers, etc.).



There is no doubt some cutting power is lost if the disc is not fully supported to the edge. I believe that some finishing capability is lost as well. Even on curved surfaces, I prefer a soft-edged backing plate that supports as close to the edge of the disc as possible.



Most backing plates seem to fall just shy of a round number (3-7/8" plates for 4" pads, 4-13/16" plates for 5" pads, etc.). Even the Mirka plate is oddly sized... 3-3/8" actual diameter. All to do with concern of potentially damaging a contoured surface. It's also a lot tougher to mount sanding discs dead-on center if the plate is exactly the same size.
 
JohnKleven said:
I find the Velcro fails too quickly on the megs. Other than that they're pretty good. Anyone tried on a rotary yet?
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I've had one fail but it was gradual, other cutting pad is getting there but it is a good 3 months old now. Looks like the microfiber is now taking more of a beating than the backing.
 
JohnKleven said:
I find the Velcro fails too quickly on the megs. Other than that they're pretty good. Anyone tried on a rotary yet?
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I've had 1 velcro fail 70% of the way through (before I caught it), another is at about 15% separated, and another where the foam completely split in half. Although this was before I realized to turn down the speed on my GG6 :der:
 
JohnKleven said:
I find the Velcro fails too quickly on the megs. Other than that they're pretty good. Anyone tried on a rotary yet?
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I have used them with a rotary (and still occasionally do) if you count the forced rotation mode of a Dynabrade Dual Action Head as being truly rotary. Really, its action is exactly like a rotary buffer with its buffing pad being placed off-center 3/8" (thus creating a 3/4" diameter stroke).



As for the Velcro® loop material used on the microfiber discs, it is truly Velcro® brand. The recommended backing plates use Velcro® brand hook material, and that material is a perfect match to the loop material used on the discs.



The Mirka backing plates I cut to size for use with the discs feature a hook with a similar profile, but each hook is skinnier, and look to be made of nylon (the material is shiny under magnification) as opposed to polyester. May be the reason the discs are hard to remove comparatively after use (the hooks bend or tighten with heat).
 
Hmmm, I was about to pick up the megs cutting pads to try out, but I may have to wait.



As a side question, does it matter what backing plate you use with them? I have an edge 5" bp and done know if I need another one?

As a second side question, my pc (not xp) hardly spins at anything below speed 5, would it be better to use my flex or the pc on speed 5 or 6?
 
Wow! Almost 800 views and 33 replies in a single weekend! That clearly proves that people are open to these new pads. Well, I used them this weekend on a semi-hard repaint. After using M105 & beta Hyper spray compound(via DA) I used these pads to finish with the beta Hyper spray polish and M205 and had outstanding results with both!! Even though the face of these pads look identical to the Meg's pads, they actually feel a *wee* bit different. A little less ballooning from using a different and thinner foam. Not that big of a deal really. Other than that they are identical. The MF cleans the same too. Great pad all around just like the Meg's offering.



D_Nyholm said:
As a side question, does it matter what backing plate you use with them? I have an edge 5" bp and done know if I need another one?
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After giving Dr. G an update with my finding he mentioned that because his pads are a tiny bit smaller than the Meg's pads it is mandatory to use his backing plate with his pads. It will not only produce the absolute best results, but it will greatly prolong the life of the pad. Case in point, if you use a standard LC backing plate you run the risk of inducing pad separation upon removal due to the almost matching pad/BP size.



Also, I'm told that these pads will be offered for sale in individual quantities and retail price is expected to be much less than competitors pads.
 
Hi Mike - the ballooning I mentioned is in regards to the feel you get from the pad as it moves across the surface. When you have less material between the backing and the buffing surface, you'll generally get a firmer feel while polishing. Just like the difference between a LC thin pad and say an old CMA constant pressure pad. Make sense?
 
David Fermani said:
After giving Dr. G an update with my finding he mentioned that because his pads are a tiny bit smaller than the Meg's pads it is mandatory to use his backing plate with his pads. It will not only produce the absolute best results, but it will greatly prolong the life of the pad. Case in point, if you use a standard LC backing plate you run the risk of inducing pad separation upon removal due to the almost matching pad/BP size.
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I have a feeling Kevin Brown and some of his followers are going to disagree with that, given that he has taken a liking to custom matching backing plates to the pad diameter for full support of the pad to its outer edge. I have yet to try this myself but the theory at least seems to be sound.



Is the velcro attachment media on these Optimum pads the same as Meguiar's is using, or is it different?
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I have a feeling Kevin Brown and some of his followers are going to disagree with that, given that he has taken a liking to custom matching backing plates to the pad diameter for full support of the pad to its outer edge. I have yet to try this myself but the theory at least seems to be sound.
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Kevin is in a completely different world/level then most(rightfully so) in regards to optimal outcomes with polishing paint. I also think most of his best practices revolve around the use of Meguiars liquids/products too. Optimum's polishes and workflow is completely different from Meg's actually. Especially in regards to pad priming. Like UNO for example, Optimum polishing compounds work worse when you prime your pad. Meg's M105/D300 are the opposite. What works the best for one may not work the same for another. Especially when the lubricants and abrasives are different.





Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Is the velcro attachment media on these Optimum pads the same as Meguiar's is using, or is it different?
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They feel the same, but the color and texture/finish is different. They seem to remove from the backing plate the same. The biggest diffence is the foam. Larger pores and about 1/2 the thickness.



OPTMFPads008.jpg
 
I know some of, but I'm not sure what all of the polishes are that using the KBM with can actually be counterproductive. :nixweiss. David et.al. If you know them all, care to share? Thanks
 
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