Just starting out, couple questions

[orangelmo]

So I bought the PC kit, started watching the videos, reading up on detailing and I have a couple questions.

First off, what are the colour pads are the most essential to have? I belive the kit I got includes orange, white, blue and red. Is it better to have a yellow and green for good measure?

Second, is usin multiple pads (same colour) for different sides/halves of the car is mainly to save time or is there another benefit to this?

I had other questions but just can't recall them at the moment. For now I'll just go back to watching videos.

[ChronicTeutonic]

Which pads you have should be dictated by what you need to accomplish with the car you're working on. If the paint is in decent shape you can probably get away with the orange and white pads for compounding and polishing. The blue and red can be used to apply glaze and liquid wax. Just make sure you're using the right product with the appropriate pad (see flat pad post for a good chart.)

I've found that if I'm using the orange pad with the PC I always have to follow it with the white pad and a polish. The PC tends to leave holograms and marring with heavy compounds because of the oscillation.

Multiple pads of the same color are good when you find your pad getting loaded with product. You can just put on a fresh one and continue. If you don't have more than one pad, set the PC on 5-6 and apply an old toothbrush to the pad. Do this away from the work area since you'll probably generate a lot of dust. This is called spurring the pad.

I've also been able to rinse them off in a bucket of soapy water, spin them relatively dry on the PC, then spur the pad. I always make sure they are just damp to the touch, otherwise you'll have a big mess on your hands.

[DetailersDomain]

I feel orange, green, and white are the most important.

which product did you get with your kit

Einszett or Menzerna?

[orangelmo]

Menzerna polishes and finishing glaze and Einszett Glanz . I don't have the kit in front of me - it's still in NY at my cousin's house - so I think that's what I got. Just wanted to make sure if I needed anything else so it'll be complete when I go visit and pick it up.

Is there any particular reason why seams between panels are masked off like I've seen in some videos?

[DetailersDomain]

you are good to go.

do you have car wash and a clay bar?
glass cleaner
tire dressing
wheel cleaner
etc?

[got boost.]

Menzerna polishes and finishing glaze and Einszett Glanz . I don't have the kit in front of me - it's still in NY at my cousin's house - so I think that's what I got. Just wanted to make sure if I needed anything else so it'll be complete when I go visit and pick it up.

Is there any particular reason why seams between panels are masked off like I've seen in some videos?

the seams are masked off so polishing dust doesnt get it there. If you don't mask off the seams you will have to wipe everything down after.