Blue v. Orange Pad

[Azgasser]

I am new to the forum and this is my first post so please excuse my lack of knowledge on this. I am getting ready to do some paint correction and polish on a black Corvette. The paint is less than a year old and the car is garage kept. The dealer and or prior owner instilled some small/fine scratches in the clear coat. I purchased the Swirl Killer two step kit. I also have the LPS with the gray pads as well. I apologize for not having pics at this time but I will take and post some as the project comes along.

My question is this, what is the difference between the blue foam pad and the orange foam pad as far as correcting ability? I only have one blue pad, but I bought extra orange, white, and gray pads as the finish is pretty good to begin with. I was planning on using only the orange pads with the orange correcting polish to start. My take away off these boards is use the least aggressive compound/polish/pad to get the job done. Can the pads, orange and blue be used with the heavy correcting polish if needed or will the orange not get the job done? I am only planning on using the heavy correcting compound on a couple of trouble area and the correcting polish for the rest.

So my last question, what does the majority of the work? Pad or polish/compound?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

[shane@detailedreflections]

A blue pad is a more aggressive pad. It's usually used with heavy correcting compound. I'd keep the pad matched to the polish if I had my way.

 

You're thinking of least aggressive is a good one. I can't say I've come across a car yet that I've done entirely with heavy correcting compound. I use it for spots of heavy damage and use correcting polish followed by finishing for most jobs. Especially those with dark finishes.

 

The pad and polish/compound do the work together. I wouldn't say it's one over the other.

[Nathan]

I would skip the blue foam pad and I always do because the microfiber pad with the heavy compound cuts so fast it is crazy!

 

The orange pad goes with correcting polish

The microfiber and blue pad go with heavy compound (but I would just get the microfiber one)

The white pad goes with finishing polish (this polish adds gloss, depth, and clarity but only does VERY light correction, and it is great on black cars)

The gray pad goes with paint sealant

The red pad goes with brilliant glaze

[Sugar]

Blue > orange > white in terms of aggressiveness of correction in simple terms.

 

Just my 2 cents, but if the vehicle is garage kept, why didn't you choose a high end wax (Americana or Patriot)? LPS is a lot longer lasting protection but on a black vehicle it will look noticeably more "wet" with a paste wax.

[Azgasser]

I live in Tucson and the heat is so hard on the finish. I drive it several days a week to work, about 1000 miles a month so it is not a garage queen by any means. I wanted something to handle the heat and UV rays.

[Azgasser]

I think the shine turned out pretty good. This was before the LPS!

[Chris@Adams]

I think the shine turned out pretty good. This was before the LPS!

 

Looks good!!

[rkj4243]

I think the shine turned out pretty good. This was before the LPS!

 

Looks GREAT!   

 

You can use Liquid Paint Sealant to protect the finish, and if you do want to add more depth or shine to it you can always add that over the top of the Paint Sealant.

 

Just left the Tucson area about a week ago...............was there to meet some other Corvette friends in the Green Valley and then Phoenix / Peoria areas.