choosing the right pad for detailing.

[bastosmafka]

i just bought this awesome polisher from snap on and it didnt come with any pads.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

there are only two choices on their site.
the yellow buffing pad and the white detailing pad in 5/8"-11 thread
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools...e=snapon-store

questions:
1) are there any other options i can go with that are better quality or cheaper?
2) are these pads good enough to get rid of swirl marks?
3) if so what order do i used the pads in? (sorry i dont know the difference)

since im getting into detailing i wanna start off the right way.

oh yeah im gonna need a kit from detailersdomain what you recommend for me to buy?


my car has non-leather seats
those stubborn white marks on the doors when people accidentally kick the door panels when trying to get out of the car
swirlmarks
ghosting effects from debadging of emblems
and i want the black trim to shine.

[Dark 'n' Dirty]

Looks like a nice rotary, but probably not something for a beginner like yourself unless you plan on practicing on salvaged hoods, trunk lids, etc. If you're working on your own car, try the slowest possible setting with the least aggressive pad and polish combo. I'd try a white pad with a very non-abrasive polish (very little grit). Using a rotary on automotive paint can spell burn marks, holograms and ruined trim pieces if not used appropriately.

[bastosmafka]

oh yeah i didnt really "buy" the polisher i got a free 400 dollar gift certificate

[Buegie]

you want to get a backing plate, something like this

http://www.detailersdomain.com/index...ROD&ProdID=173

then you can use a huge variety of pads that use velcro to connect. I would recommend the 5.5" LC CCS pads:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/index...ROD&ProdID=272

[Poopie]

I don't know what the big deal is with rotaries. I got pretty proficient at it in like a day. You can only burn paint at high rpms and leaving it at the same spot for like 4 minutes.

anyways, i first started off by looking at what the pros on this board are doing and i just copied their progression of pads and polish. Eventually i started working my own combos once i learned the limits of the different pads and polishes.

[bastosmafka]

you want to get a backing plate, something like this

http://www.detailersdomain.com/index...ROD&ProdID=173

then you can use a huge variety of pads that use velcro to connect. I would recommend the 5.5" LC CCS pads:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/index...ROD&ProdID=272

how would i connect the backing plate when the buffer is threaded to fit those 5/8"-11 thread snap on pads? any adapters i can get to make it work?

[Buegie]

that thread pattern is pretty universal for all buffers. That backing plate will work with almost all machines (including the one you've got) without an adapter