Where is the best place to purchase the Edge 2000, 6", double sided, DA buffing pads?

Right now Auto Geek has this kit for $100.00. Rugularly $150.00

Kit includes:
6 inch Yellow Cutting Pad
6 inch Green Medium Cutting Pad
6 inch Orange Light Cutting Pad
6 inch Blue Finishing Pad
6 inch White Ultra-fine Polishing Pad
2 Cobra Super Plush Deluxe Microfiber Towels
FREE Edge 2000 Quick Connect Dual Action Adapter
12 oz. Pinnacle XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner
12 oz. Pinnacle XMT Polishing Pad Conditioner
2 Cobra 70/30 Microfiber Bonnets

 

That's a pretty good deal in kit form. Check to be sure the bonnets fit on the 6" Edge DA pads, 'cause the pads are pretty thick. I ordered some MF bonnets from another vendor and didn't tell the him specifically what I intended to use under the bonnets. The ones I got weren't made for the thickness of the Edge 2000 pads. I did make 'em fit, though.

 

Don't forget to use coupon code 'autopia' which will save you another 10% on this pad kit. Always check out Autogeeks blog or forum incase they have a better coupon, which they sometimes do. You can find the individual Edge pads cheaper at other places, but the package deal at Autogeek is a good price. The bonnets that come in this kit will fit these Edge pads.

I like the Edge pads because I can quickly switch them between my rotary and d/a tools. The Lake Country CCS pads also look interesting, but I don't have any personal experience with these...yet.

 

Thanks Flyin'Hawaiian.....That's a good tip. I never would have thought about the bonnets not fitting properly.

I'm still not sold on the kit really. I don't need the towels, cleaner conditioner. What I do need is the adapter and bonnet.

I just bought a 25 pack of 16"x16" micro towels on eBay, 88 cents a piece, free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._promot_widget

 

I saw some of the Lake County pads on eBay qadsan

You recommended the Edge pads to me a while back. I haven't bought anything yet.

As I said the kit contains a couple items I more than likely wouldn't use, but purchasing just (2 each) 6 pads of what I think I need is like $108.00 Plus I get the free adapter. So, I dunno. Thought I'd post, and see what ya think.

As long as I'm on the subject, how many pores per square inch pad do I need to remove the dreaded type II acid rain etch?

 

It's hard to say exactly the PPI you'll need, but I would recommend having a selection of pads that vary in aggressiveness. Start with a less aggressive pad first and work your way up the chain until you get the results you're looking for, but this also depends on the product you're using, the pressure you're applying to the machine, the speed of the machine, the surface temperature, etc. There are a lot of factors at work, but if you approach it from the least aggressive products & methods first, then you'll find what works without being overly aggressive. With the Edge pads, I think you’re probably OK to start with their green 60ppi pad if the etching is bad, but to be extra safe I’d start with their blue 70ppi finishing pad and then work your way towards being more aggressive.

With type ii acid rain etching, you've got to be careful you don't remove too much clear. Much of the UV protection is in the outer portion of the clear coat (the last 1/3 of a mill or 8.3 microns). If too much clear is removed (more than 8 microns), then chances are you'll increase the risk of your clear coat failing much sooner and you don’t want to do that.

The Edge pads are nice and I do use them as my current go to pad choice, but I've also used many other brands in the past (3M, SM Arnold, Lake Country, Meguiar's, etc). All these pads are really pretty good and will get the job done. Meguiar’s and 3M pads are usually stocked at your local PBE stores and they’re good quality pads. If you go with the Edge pads, then you’re locked into their pads and you’ll probably have to buy new pads via mail order as opposed to driving to your local PBE store to get a new pad. I have plenty of Edge pads on hand so that’s not an issue for me, but it might be an issue for some people. As long as you stay at speed 5 or lower on the PC while using the Meguiar’s pads, you’ll be fine. You can however run the Edge pads at speed 6 and they hold up fairly well compared to the Meguiar’s pads, but they do wear out quicker than if they were run at a lower speed. There are pluses and minuses for each product out there, but I’ve been mostly happy with the Edge pads and the support I’ve received from them so far. I just don’t see one brand of pad that’s best for everyone, so give some thought on what’s important to you (price, choice of ppi, local availability, dual sides, quick change with perfect balance, support, popularity, etc).

Are your type ii etchings limited to one spot or are they all over the place?

If they’re all over the place, I’d highly recommend you tape off a small 2 X 2 section and work that section until you find a process that works. Then carry that process over and work small sections at a time until the panel is done. Don’t try to tackle doing the whole vehicle at once.

If these etchings are limited to one or just a couple small areas, try working them by hand and see how that goes. Try putting some Meguiar's ScratchX to work and see how that goes. You can also work Meguiar's #80 or #83 by hand if you happen to already have these products.

 

Well thanks qadsan. I really appreciate your kindness in direction with my project.

I only have the type II etch on the hood. Why that is, I guess I'll never know. Ford wont cover a warranty claim for acid rain paint etch, even though the etch is not anywhere else on the rest of the truck. And also being I used Turtle wax Ice polish, which Ford claims, voided the paint warranty. Of course Turtle wax is using their disclaimer. So I'm stuck with either using a pro or trying to do it myself, minus any experience with compounds, polishes, let alone a, DAP. As you recommended I purchased the PCDAP, and that's about it, ad nauseum.

Reading about the Edge pads. What peeked my interest was the quick change, double sided, and the self centering aspect they provide. I'm a big advocate of the KISS method. These pads seem to really take on that nomenclature. I noticed the Auto Geek at $50.00 off and thought, well, that's probably about a third of what I need, if that much. But, I thought that would give me a good place to start. However, it is good to know I can always go with the velcro style at any time VS., ordering. And thanks for pointing that out BTW.

I'll just keep plugging away with questions. If possible, less mundane.

 

Here's something else to look at. Edge makes these pads for Adams and it's a less expensive package, but you're also getting less product than the $99 Autogeek deal. With the Adams kit, you're really getting 4 different surfaces on two different pads in addition to getting the adapter and the dvd. Here's the link...

http://www.adamspolishes.com/site/pr...ED785A11E85DF0

Use coupon code "Z06Vette" to save an additional 10% on purchases through Adams

I don't know what colors translate to what ppi or foam density with these pads, but I do know Edge made them for Adams. If you check out the Adams web site, you'll see where they sells these pads for $19.95 each...ouch. Something like this might be a better option if all you want to do is work on your hood.

Another option to consider if you're just concerned about your hood is going with the 4" Edge pads from Autogeek at this link...

http://www.autogeek.net/doubleprecision-cyclo-pads.html

The 4" pads will cut significantly faster than the 6" pads, so you'd have to be more careful when using them, but that can be a good thing when properly used in situations where you need more cut. Most of the additional cut from a smaller pad is because there's more pressure per square inch being applied with a smaller 4" pad as opposed to a 6" pad. In fact, a 6" pad has more than twice the area of a 4" pad! (A = pi r^2)

A 4" pad will have an area of about 12.57 in^2 where as a 6" pad will have an area of about 28.27 in^2. An 8" pad has a whopping area of 201.06 in^2, or about 7 times that of a 6" pad and nearly 16 times that of a 4" pad.

So if you went with the 4" pads, they'd only cost you $10.99 each + and adapter @ $17.99. Then use the coupon code "autopia" to get an additional 10% off your entire order. You'd probably only need the the orange, geen and white pads or just one green/white combo instead of two seperate pads. If you plan to do your entire vehicle and the rest of it is in very good condition, then you could also add a couple of the 6" pads such as the geen, blue and white pads.

 

Yes I do have 2 other vehicles I can use the Porter Cable on, which I plan on doing so.

Yes, I like your idea using the 4" pads. See, I don't know this stuff. I can see you are the man in reference. I could get one 4" pad for the hood and be done with it, brilliant idea.

My truck is brand new and the rest of the paint is perfect. And that's saying something being it is black paint. It's a bear to take care of, but man, there is nothing like it when it's detailed.

My Dodge there in the background is a '96. Pearl red metallic. All I've ever used on it is clay and #20, by hand. I can't do it by hand anymore. The wife had to spoon feed me the last time I detailed. I couldn't lift my arms up to my mouth, hence the PC. I hope it works good for me.

Here is what my hood looks like now. Ugly, ain't it?