Need help with pads for my new buffer

[DJsDetails]

Long story short, I've worked my way up from hands washes and waxes to finally purchasing a random orbital buffer. I know, it's a "wax spreader", but I need to do the best I can with what I can afford. I'm saving for a DA or Cyclo but funds are limited as I'm a college student. Detailing by day and bartending by night is paying my tuition. Soon, I'd like to leave the bar and go full-time.

I promise I am no going around undercutting professionals so please don't hate. I'd love to be on ya'lls level and learn as much as I can from this forum. I work for a lot of the xxxx customers ya'll don't want . I understand that this is my place in our industry until I can provide professional quality work.

So now for my question, with my 6" r.o.b., what bonnets can I use to compound with? I've found good ones for polishing and waxing but none for those with paint in poor condition. This isn't a 7-series needing paint correction, it's a '93 Accord needing paint correction to aid in a sale. Work with me guys...

In series, I use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, SwirlX, and then their Carnuba wax or Tech Wax 2.0. Any thoughts about these products?

Thanks very much for the input

-Dustin

[JaredPointer]

You know what - this forum does this to me all the time when I've got a long-ass answer typed out. Hit post reply, and VANISH. It's gone.... DC, I'm giving you the bird right about now...

In a nutshell:

You can correct with these RO's, it just takes a long time.
Don't expect miracles.
You have a good attitude, keep it up.
Terry and MF are the only real bonnet choices I'd suggest (terry for correction).

[Dtrick.22]

Yes use the terry (usually they are white) Don't get discouraged with the amount of correction that will come with a R.O.B.. You will get little to none, they just don't move fast enough to correct paint. You may actually do more bad than good with one trying to correct, if you use too heavy of a compound with it, it may leave compound marks that the machine is too weak to get out, make sure you use something really light so that won't be an issue...I suggest doing 4 or 5 wax jobs to help put money towards a Porter Cable. Best of luck!

[tuscarora dave]

You may find some interest in this thread that I linked, it shows some correction results that some guys achieved while "testing / playing around" (thread title) with a wax spreader. They used a foam bonnet from Detailer's Choice which I know nothing about where to obtain. Just thought this might help you out. TD

A little testing/playing around! - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online

[DJsDetails]

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah I read through that forum and was impressed. I can't find foam bonnets for a 6" anywhere but I went ahead and used the terry as Jared pointed out and results were somewhat satisfying. I removed the pins from a black '06 Jetta and went ahead and used Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Looked great after the polish and wax but I know it didn't come out as well as a DA could do.
A lot of fine scratches were removed and deeper scratches were blended more. I'll have to take pics with the next one. Is the SwirlX a good polish or is there one I could get better clarity with? I still see a lot of fine dots everywhere. What are these?

[JaredPointer]

SwirlX is comparable to M205, or so I read. It's the flavor of the month (or it has been for a bit now, anyway).

Fine dots? Could be IFO (fall out) and needs claying or a decon system.

[black bart]

If you want to buy polishing pads for your polisher you can get them here.

10" Foam Polishing Bonnet 10A420