|
[ Home > Lake Country CCS, Green Polishing Pads ] 
Lake Country CCS,
Green Polishing Pads
  Amazing polishing pads for German paints & clear coats.
Product Review by Terry
Freiberg
We learned about a new foam
polishing pad being used by Mercedes Benz in Germany back in 2004. The urethane foam that Mercedes Benz
selected is unique in the industry and different from any of the other
foams we offer. This foam produces less spot heating and has a unique
compression/load/deflection ratio which means it conforms quickly to
contours. It is a high strength foam with 60 pores per sq. inch yet is
softer and more forgiving than our regular foams which have 80 pores per
sq. inch. This means it can remove minor swirls yet leaves a smooth,
haze-free finish. It is designed to
be used with a dual-action polisher (like the Porter Cable 7424) but can be used
with a circular polisher if the speed is kept around 1000 rpm.
What we didn't know back in 2004 was
that Mercedes Benz was in the process of transitioning from a traditional
"soft" clear coat to a super-hard, nano, ceramic particle clear coat.
Some of the cars on the assembly line had the older clear coat and some had the
new clear coat. They were using a new, secret, polish developed by Menzerna
(which we later learned was PO106FF) but needed a foam pad that could be used on
both soft and super-hard clear coats.
This green pad is
designed for applying a final or finishing polish to remove light swirls,
paint defects and for gloss restoration. The 99% open cell structure keeps
the pad wetter, longer. This pad is also recommended for applying
one-step, cleaner/sealants like Klasse
All-In-One and Menzerna
One-step, Acrylic Jacket.
This pad was
originally made specifically for
German clear coats but we've found it to work equally as well on domestic
clear coats. With both PPG and DuPont introducing harder,
scratch-resistant clear coats in the domestic market, this is the perfect
pad to use for polishing without "hazing" the finish. On
conventional clear coats, we recommend using this pad with BLACKFIRE
Gloss Enhancing Polish or Menzerna Final
Polish II. On the new, scratch-resistant clear coats, we recommend using
this pad with BLACKFIRE
Scratch Resistant Clear Finishing Polish, BLACKFIRE
Scratch Resistant Clear Compound or Menzerna PO106FF polish.
The best just got better!
In September of 2006, this
green, German foam was introduced with Closed Cell Structure (CCS) Technology at
Automekanica in Frankfurt, Germany. The newer, harder,
scratch-resistant clear coats require longer polishing times to remove swirls,
spots and defects. The longer you polish with conventional foam pads, the less
effective they become because polish migrates below the working surface of the
pad. The pad "dries out."
| Closed Cell Structure
(CCS) Technology solves this problem using
strategic patterns of partially closed foam cells. These cells slow the rate of
polish absorption, gradually releasing polish as needed by the operator. CCS
Pockets reduce surface tension, prevent pad skipping and allow the operator to
run the pad flat on the working surface. |
|
Professional results, even if
you're a beginner!
|
|
These new, CCS Pads continue
to incorporate the latest, Constant Pressure™ technology.
Constant pressure may not be good for people but it's great for polishing pads
where you want a uniform and constant pressure on the surface being polished.
Professionals have learned through experience to keep their machines parallel to
the surface being polished. Tilting the machine in any direction can
result in an uneven and excessive pressure being transferred to the painted
surface. |
|
|
Blue, lower foam
instantly
absorbs shock and off-axis movements. |
|
This new Constant Pressure technology uses a layer of
engineered, instant rebound foam between the pad and the backing plate to absorb
off-axis movements while keeping the pressure of the pad on the surface
constant. It allows even beginners to achieve professional-like results.
Now two CCS, German Polishing Pads are
available:
6.5 inch, CCS, Constant Pressure
German Polishing Pad.
|
|
If you're new to machine polishing,
select this 6.5 inch CCS Constant Pressure German Polishing Pad. It can be used with either a
dual-action polisher like the Porter Cable 7424 or a professional, circular
polisher. This pad features a curved outer edge for east transitions over seams and inclines.
These pads do not have a
traditional "polish pocket" because the CCS Cells regulate polish
release, reduce splatter and eliminate paint "squiggles." This pad requires your machine be fitted with a 5 or 6 inch Hook and Loop Backing
Plate.
|
|
|
6-1/2 inch, Constant
Pressure™
German Polishing Pad |
|
Whether you're a novice or a
seasoned professional, this pad will yield consistently excellent results.
7-1/2 inch, Advanced, Constant Pressure German
Polishing Pad.
|
|
These 7-1/2 inch, CCS German
Polishing Pads incorporate a curved "mushroom cap" design. This curvature allows easy transitions over seams and inclines.
These pads do not have a
traditional "polish pocket" because the CCS Cells regulate polish
release, reduce splatter and eliminate paint "squiggles."
|
|
|
7-1/2 inch, Constant
Pressure™
German Polishing Pad |
Unlike our 6-1/2 inch pads, these advanced pads feature a
patented, contoured edge with a recessed area for the backing plate. This recess
lessens the possibility of the backing plate accidentally coming into contact
with the surface being polished.
This Hook and Loop pocket is the same diameter as our
6 inch Flexible Backing Plates which perfectly self-centers the pad to eliminate
wobble. In addition, the VELCRO® brand fastening material is attached differently. It is not glued
to the back of the pad but thermally bonded to the foam. This greatly reduces
the likelihood of delaminating (the backing coming off). |
|
|
Backing plates fit
into a
5-3/4 inch recessed pocket. |
|
Note:
These 7.5 inch Advanced, Constant Pressure Pads have an inside
mounting diameter of 5-3/4 inches which will
work with our FBP-6DA, 6 inch backing
plate for D-A polishers and FBP-6C, 6 inch backing plate for
circular polishers. The 6-1/4 inch backing plate that comes on the Porter
Cable 7428 will not work with these
pads nor will the 6-1/2 inch backing plate that comes on the Makita 9227.
Both of these plates are too large and will not
fit these 7.5 inch pads. If your machine has a Hook and Loop Backing Plate with a
diameter between 5 and 5-3/4 inches, it will work with these pads.
|
Polishing Tip:
Season
Advanced, 7-1/2 inch Pads before "flat" polishing. Seasoning
refers to breaking in a pad. If you
were to apply polish to a body panel, place an Advanced,
Constant Pressure Pad on the surface and turn the machine on, it would be
very squirrelly or difficult to control. This is due to most of
the pad being "dry". To season a pad, lightly mist it
with water, slightly raise the back of the machine so you are
working with the top 1/3 of the pad. After polishing for a
minute or two the pad will become more evenly saturated with
product and actually become softer from heat build-up. At this
point, you can safely transition from a tilted up to a flat
polishing position. Every time you put a fresh, Advanced,
Constant Pressure Pad
on your machine you should season it for a minute or two before
"flat" polishing. 6-1/2 inch Constant Pressure
Pads do not require seasoning.
Proper
Cleaning - Wash foam pads in a bucket of
soapy water (or use Snappy
Clean Pad Cleaner), rinse thoroughly, hand
squeeze out excess water and allow to air dry. Do not machine wash or machine dry.
WARNING: Never
clean foam pads or soak foam pads in dishwashing soap (Dawn) or laundry
detergents. These detergents will attack the glue that holds the Hook and
Loop backing material. Soak pads in a car wash shampoo or use Snappy Clean Pad
Cleaning Powder.
|
|
Personal
Note: If swirls and scratches remain after polishing, use
Menzerna Intensive Polish with the Orange Power Pad first then follow
with Final Polish II using the green pad. These green pads are also
the best pads for applying one-step, cleaner/sealants like Klasse
All-In-One but should not be used to apply a
glaze or pure paint sealant like Menzerna FMJ. Use a High-gloss,
Constant Pressure, Black Glazing Pad to apply glazes
like Menzerna
Finishing Touch Glaze and a High-gloss,
Red, Concours Finishing Pad to apply liquid waxes and
sealants like Menzerna
FMJ.
|
|
|
|
