CCS Smart Pads Dual Action Polishing Guide
Learn how to correct paint flaws, polish and wax your vehicle using the Flex XC 3401 Orbital Polisher , the Porter Cable 7424XP , Meguiars G110 Polisher, Griot's Garage Random Orbital Polisher and CCS Smart Pads™ by Lake Country. Our Lake Country Dual Action Polishing Guide details the process of swirl removal, polishing, and finishing using the most popular pads by Lake Country.
What
accessories do I need?
The Meguiars G110 Polisher comes with a 5 inch backing plate with Velcro® brand hook and loop fasteners. Griot's Garage Random Orbital Polisher includes a 6 inch backing plate with Velcro® brand hook and loop fasteners. The Flex XC3401 Polisher comes with a 5 3/4 inch backing plate with Velcro® brand hook and loop fasteners. For the Porter Cable 7424XP, you will need a backing plate in order to attach the foam pads onto your polisher. The backing plate has a Velcro® brand hook & loop fasteners on the bottom of it to hold foam pads in place as you polish. You will see it described simply as "hook & loop" on pads and backing plates with this feature. Backing plates for the Porter Cable 7424XP are available in two sizes:
Note: We recommend using a 5 inch backing plate with 6.5 inch pads to leave a larger margin of foam between the plate and the edge of the pad. This bigger margin of error protects the vehicle from unintentional impact with the backing plate.
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Smart Foam Pad Varieties:
How do I polish out swirls and scratches? The following is a general guide to polishing. It will take you from compounding to polishing to finishing. If your paint problems do 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 use a swirl remover and light cutting pad. The pads pictured at
the beginning of each section indicate what pads can be used to perform the
job described. The Meguiars G110 and the Porter Cable 7424XP have
the same speed settings so the following guide applies to both machines.
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I. Compounding & Swirl Removal Compounding involves using the most aggressive type of swirl remover, called a compound. Swirl removers can range from light to heavy. The application is the same.
1. In the picture to the right, this is a serious case of swirls. Choose an orange light cutting pad and a swirl remover such as Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover 3.0 or BLACKFIRE Compound. 2. Apply a circle 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. 3. Set the maximum speed on the polisher at 5. Turn the polisher on and work the swirl remover in a side to side, overlapping motion. Move slowly to give the abrasives time to work.
4. 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, Cobra Microfiber Towel and inspect your results. If you are not satisfied, repeat the process with the same product or a more aggressive compound (like Wolfgang Uber Compound). If you still see no results, upgrade to the yellow cutting pad. * If you used a compound, a light haze or dullness is normal. The next step will restore the gloss.
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II. Polishing Polishing improves the smoothness and gloss of the paint. Use a finishing polish if you’ve just compounded or if the paint just needs a boost.
1. Use the white or green 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.
2. Set the maximum speed to about 4.5. You're not trying to cut. You're just trying to burnish the paint to a high gloss. Work in a side to side, overlapping motion until the polish turns clear. 3. Buff with a Cobra 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.
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III. Finishing You're nearing the finish line. Just a couple more steps will make your vehicle glow.
3. Buff off the product with a Cobra Microfiber Towel or slip a Microfiber Bonnet over an unused pad. The bonnet is like having a microfiber towel on your polisher. Just be sure to put the bonnet over a clean pad so no products will seep through the bonnet.
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Foam & Wool Pad Cleaning

Note: Dry pads with the hook and loop backing facing up so water drains away from it. Standing water on the backing material could eventually cause separation.
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.