Blu302, First stage suggestion is Orange Pad with PF2500. Second stage White Pad with Final Finish SF4000, Third stage Grey Pad with the UF5000.
So yes... In my opinion you really should use SF4000 - it really adds to the Gloss.
Use the Blue Pad for applying and spreading Sealant. I would use the Jetseal109 Sealant, but have seen good reports on the Menzerna SW Protect. I have a similar product called Sealing Wax - but have not used it much.
There is no need to do the job in one day, which means for the first stage you could do say the roof, bonnet and boot with the Pads mentioned, then wash them overnight and do the 2 sides the following day. Make sure to complete each stage on the whole car before going onto the next stage.
You can clean the Pads - to a degree - on the move after doing a couple of panels. Simply scrunch up a bit of Microfibre with a finger inside the middle of the cloth, turn on the polisher at a low speed and carefully put the cloth to the centre of the pad, and as the pad spins, just work towards the outside of the pad. Will do a search for a youtube video where i have seen it demonstrated.
Now to the question of Pads. I consider that paying over $20 for each Pad to be over the top. It seems the Autogaky option of buying in bulk may be a thing of the past due to the USA looking after the local distributor. On the other hand if you have somebody in the USA who could forward them onto you it may still be an option.
I have been searching the net and have come up with what MAY be another option. There is a Diamond faced Pad produced in China that can be bought at a reasonable price. Check this Link out -
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Stores-Promotion-New-5PC-6-Diamond-Face-Foam-Buffing-pad-and-Polishing-Pad-set-for/609033424.html5 Pads for $37.99 is cheap! ZFE Stores ( where w bought the polishing kits ) have the same 5 Pads listed - but including a backing plate for $56.99.
I contacted the supplier via the above Link requesting a Quote for 6 sets of the $37.99 Pads including express freight such as DHL or UPS. Their reply was to ask for my email address to discuss it further. No effing way i would do that because all dealings through Aliexpress should be via the Aliexpress messaging system to avoid being scammed by unscrupuolous traders. I will now order just one set at $37.99 with free shipping via China Post. This way it is all done the correct way which means the supplier does not receive the funds until i receive the Pads.
Yet another option for the same pads is to buy them locally at this Link -
http://www.polish-up.com.au/products/150mm-foam-pad-buffing-kit-velcro-backed.htmlStill excellent value at 5 Pads for $47.52, but shipping to Adelaide was $27.55, and there was another amount - unspecified - of $11.00
I am a bit of a tightass, so will go with the cheaper option.
I really feel you should have 2 Pads of each colour as a minimum, because if the Velcro should fail or one Pad becomes too dirty to continue Polishing, you would avoid the delay.
Rocket.
