The Edge 2000 System gives you many pad options for your circular polisher. In this circular polisher guide, we’ll help you select the right pads for the job and explain how to use Edge 2000 Pads with your circular polisher to remove swirls and scratches and restore your vehicle’s shine.
This guide is applicable to any double-sided pads that work with a center adapter.
The Edge 2000 Pads Key Features:
No backing plate needed.
The Edge pads attach to your polisher using a Quick Connect Adapter that pops into the center of the pad. The connection is very secure and, because the adapter is in the center of the pad, the pad is always balanced.
Double-sided.
Since the pads do not require a backing plate, both sides are usable. Instead of buying two single-sided pads, you buy one Edge pad.
Versatile.
All The Edge pads work with any polisher. You can use 6 inch pads on your rotary polisher; just be sure you have the Edge Rotary Drive Adapter. You can use the same pads on your dual action polisher with the Edge DA Drive Adapter. One set of pads works with both types of polishers. All you have to change is the adapter.
What pads do I need?
The Edge 2000 System offers many pad options to address different surface conditions. Pads are available in 6 inches and 8 inches. 8 inch pads are the most common choice for circular polishers.
The Edge Flat Foamprovides constant contact with the paint. The 6 inch pads have a rounded edge. The 8 inch pads have a beveled edge that polishes easily between and around the vehicle's exterior features.
Black Heavy Cutting - This is the most
aggressive pad and is used for restoration of badly pitted, oxidized
paint finishes. It is designed to cut through damaged paint in
preparation for refinishing. The black pad should not be used on new or
like-new finishes.
Yellow Cutting - This pad is aggressive, and will cut through deep surface marks and
swirls. They work well on heavy oxidation and pitted finishes, and will
remove wet sand scratches without causing burning.
Green Medium Cutting - This pad is
useful for light oxidation and moderate to severe swirls and
imperfections. This pad will yield amazing results on older vehicles, and
should be used on vehicles with moderate swirls and imperfections. Apply a
compound or swirl remover with the green medium cutting pad.
Blue Finishing - This pad is great for
everyday use. It will leave surface areas scratch-free and smooth while
still removing light swirls and imperfections. Use with wax and polish to
apply a fine gloss. Safe on clear coats.
White Ultrafine Polishing - This
ultra-smooth polishing pad contains 80 pores per inch, allowing for fine
polishing which creates a bold, reflective gloss. Use this pad to apply
waxes, polishes and sealants. Safe on clear coats.
Red
LSP - The red pad is softer
than the white pad, which makes it perfect for new car finishes. Apply
last step products, like waxes, sealants and glazes without fear of
abrasion. The red pad also makes layering products easier. Apply
multiple coats of your favorite wax or sealant with the red lsp foam
pad, only from Autogeek.
Edge 2K Drive Adapter 5/8 Inch Thread - The Edge 2000
Quick-Connect Adaptor fits the Makita 9227, FLEX L3403, and Dewalt
DWP849X. It is made of chrome-plated machined brass with a spring-loaded
HexLoc anchor that's compatible with all Edge 2000 pads.
How do I polish out swirls and scratches?
The following is a general guide to paint correction with a circular polisher. It explains the complete process from compounding to polishing to finishing. If your paint does not require compounding, skip to polishing. If you’re not sure, start with polishing. Always take the least aggressive approach first! If you don’t get the desired results from polishing, then step up to a more abrasive swirl remover or pad.
The pads pictured at the beginning of each section indicate what pads can be used to perform the job described.
Please note:If your fingernail catches the scratch or swirl, it will require painting and must be repaired by a professional. Attempting to remove deep blemishes like this could result in cutting down to the primer.
I. Compounding & Swirl Removal
A compound is the most aggressive type of polish. A compound is designed to remove the deepest scratches and swirls and heavy oxidation. It should never be used on new or like-new paint. XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover 4 is a compound.
A swirl remover is less aggressive than a compound, but still capable of removing significant swirls and some scratches and oxidation. Swirl removers vary in terms of abrasiveness. Pinnacle offers a full range of swirl removers to suit any paint condition. From lightest to heaviest, these swirl removers are: XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover 1, XMT Fine Swirl Remover 2, and XMT Intermediate Swirl Remover 3. Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover is a versatile swirl remover that works on a wide variety of paint imperfections. The application of compounds and swirl removers is the same.
Apply polishes and swirl removers with a green Edge pad on your circular/ rotary polisher.
Compounding & Swirl Removal Procedure:
Choose a cutting pad according to the condition of your vehicle and a swirl remover.
Apply a bead of swirl remover around the edge of the pad. Some will say apply a quarter size amount. You can even apply it directly to the paint. Ultimately you're going to spread it around so how the swirl remover gets on the paint is up to you. Spread the swirl remover over a small section (about 2 x 2 sq. ft.) with the polisher turned off to prevent sling.
Set the maximum speed at 1500 RPM. Turn the polisher on and work the swirl remover in a side-to-side, slightly overlapping motion. Move slowly to give the abrasives time to work. KEEP THE POLISHER MOVING AT ALL TIMES.
When the swirl remover turns to a transparent film, the abrasives have broken down. Turn off the machine and lift it off the paint. Buff away the residue with a soft microfiber towel and inspect your results. If you are not satisfied, you can repeat the process or upgrade to a more aggressive cutting pad.
II. Polishing
A polish contains very fine abrasives and many contain chemical cleaners. The purpose of a polish is to remove very mild imperfections and restore gloss to the paint. A polish is used as the only correction step if the paint is in fair condition. If you’ve just used a compound or swirl remover, the polish – or finishing polish – will remove any compounding haze and restore the paint’s shine.
Use a polishing pad on your polisher. Apply the polish of your choice to the pad or to the paint and spread it around with the machine turned off.
Set the maximum speed to about 1000 RPM. You're not trying to cut. You're just trying to burnish the paint to a high gloss. Work in a side-to-side, slightly overlapping motion until the polish turns clear or appears to dry.
Buff with a microfiber towel and check your results. If you can still see some haze, repeat the process. This time, be sure that the abrasives are fully broken down before you buff. If necessary, step up to the next most aggressive pad.
II. Finishing
Once you've achieved the optimum shine, follow up with a wax or sealant to lock it in. Pinnacle Liquid Souverän™ is a great choice for machine application, but the paste waxes - Souverän and Signature Series II - can also be used. You’ll need to turn the paste wax upside down and work it out of the jar. Then butter the pad like you're buttering bread.
Note: Because of the speed and heat generated by a rotary polisher, you may elect to do the finishing work by hand or with a dual action polisher. If you are comfortable using a rotary, use it at a slow speed with zero pressure. Keep the machine moving at all times.
Use a finishing pad on your polisher. Apply the wax of your choice to the pad or to the paint and spread it around with the machine turned off.
Set the maximum speed to about 1000 RPM. You do not need speed to apply wax. Work in a side to side, overlapping motion until you've achieved even coverage. You don't need to work the product in because there are no abrasives to break down in a wax. Just spread it on.
Buff with a microfiber towel.
Use a circular polisher with care when applying finishing products.
Detailing Tips:
Keep the polisher moving continuously. A circular/rotary polisher will burn the paint if it is left on the same spot for more than a second or two.
Work at a slow speed. A slower speed will reduce the heat build-up and thereby reduce the risk of burning the paint.
Work the pad flat against the paint or with the back edge of the pad tilted very slightly upward (that's the edge closest to you). This position will help you avoid dragging the edge on the paint, which creates holograms.
Foam & Wool Pad Cleaning
Clean foam and wool pads with Snappy Clean. Dissolve a pack of Snappy Clean in a bucket of water per the directions before you begin detailing. As you use pads, toss them in the bucket and let them soak until the end of your detail session. When you are ready, agitate the pads with theFoam Pad Conditioning Brush and then rinse them well. Lay pads out to dry.
When your clean pads are dry, put them in a sealable plastic bag or container to keep them free of dust until their next use.
