Professor Max Pain
How a vehicle looks often speaks a lot about the person who owns it. You can sometimes tell if a car is owned by a teenager or a seasoned car owner by simply looking at how well it is cleaned? Getting the best buffing and polishing pads is the first step to creating a good image as a car owner.
Electric polishers with spinning pads usually get the best results, and thus some of the best customer ratings. Make sure the foam is firm enough to actually polish the surface, but not too rough to scratch the paint.
Best Polishing Pads: What it’s all about
Polishing pads are not that big of a deal. But knowing which one is the best to use for your car is a great advantage.
The pad material to use depends on the type of paint a car has since pads have different levels of aggressiveness depending on their make of foam or wool.
A foam pad has full foam design making it gentler. Wool pads have an abrasive ability, cutting faster than foam pads while generating less heat. Foam wool pads are a unique combination of the two, grabbing important aspects from both.
Thicker and larger pads cut faster since they cover a bigger area in less time. Their large size requires more down pressure to compress the pad.
Thinner and smaller pads cover lesser range and is usually used on narrow areas. They have greater buffing power as they can rotate faster than large sized pads.
Buffing pads have different textures such as waffle, flat and hexagon. Among the three, pads that are produced with an even surface tend to create more heat.
1. Viking Car Care Microfiber Applicator Pads
These microfiber pads are intended for applying waxes, shines, and protectants, including delicate microfiber or cotton terry that are clear coat safe. The best part is that they’re all machine reusable, so you’ll get a lot of utilization out of them in spite of being so reasonable. These buffing pads have a bound thin edge so you can get in that space where the windshield meets the dash and all kinds of tight, oddly shaped spaces.
These microfiber pads are the perfect size to clean on the inside and outside of your car. The microfiber structure makes it as easy as possible to hand-apply your products. The hook and loop make sure the pads never get worn down. They are great for paint correction. Whether it is a conditioner or a sealant, these pads will get the job done. And when they need to be cleaned, you can just throw them in the wash. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
2. Chemical Guys Hex-Logic Buffing Pad Kit
While it’s a touch more costly than different items on our rundown, it’s an extensive unit for cutting, cleaning, and wrapping up. These Hex-Logic froth cushions utilize premium high-thickness froth and front line cushion plans with grooves in the face to spread the item around uniformly. These pads are great for paint correction. The hook and loop makes life so easy and reduces the time it takes to do your project or job.
Rinsing the buffing pads in hot, soapy water is a great way to clean them off. The special development of the cushions makes them very simple to move while permitting the right measure of item uniformly dispersed through the cushion. Hex-Logic Pads keep the item in the cuts while you start and as the cushion is turned and scoured against the surface, the cleaner will go through the hex-logic into the cushion uniformly conveying a predominant precise completion. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
3. Petutu Car Foam Drill Polishing Pad Kit
Intended for fixing coating, clean, or wax, these polishing and buffing pads highlight glue sponsorships so you can rapidly change your cushions like a flash. Every one of the cushions included with this pack are launderable and reusable, so your minor venture could keep going you quite a while with some consideration. Utilized for a wide range of coat paints’ waxing, cleaning and fixing coat, to clean and improve their daintiness. With the sticky coating, you can change cushions simply right away.
These buffing pads are bendable, launderable and reusable. The diverse shaded wipes have distinctive non-abrasiveness, which you can pick as you need, appropriate for cleaning unpleasant and little regions. The hook and loop system makes it easy to grip. These pads are capable of cutting and polishing the most difficult car oxidation coating, scratches. They can also be used in a pneumatic or electric polishing machine. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
4. Meguiar's W0004 Foam Applicator Pad
The Meguiar’s Foam Applicator Pad is very durable and machine washable. These buffing pads are ideal for using on paint, wheels and even on tires. It can be used on all surfaces including leather, vinyl and rubber. These cushions are made of a super delicate tight-cell froth for happy and smooth applications and are ideal for use on paint jobs, wheels, tires, calfskin, vinyl, and elastic. Utilize these instruments to apply light mixtures, shines, waxes and sealants to painted surfaces for extraordinary outcomes effortlessly.
The 4 ½” size enables simple work to get a smooth and easy interaction while equally disseminating a predictable application. These strong buffing pads come 4 to a pack and are machine launderable so they can be utilized over and over. Good for applying waxes, protectants, sealants, glazes, gels on auto finishes, wheels, trim, or chrome. The pads are also great for applying stains to larger areas that need to be worked
Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
5. 3M 05707 Perfect-It 8" Foam Polishing Pad
The Perfect- It Foam Polishing Pad has a 3M quick release adaptor and weighs 1.6 pounds. It quickly removes compound swirl marks and fine paint surface defects. Uniquely created to rapidly eliminate intensifying swirls, the cushion eliminates the intensifying swirl streaks left by one or the other froth or fleece cushions. Can be used for paint and clear covers fix when the best completion is required. Finish results are subject to the mix of covering type, clean, and devices utilized.
The 3M Perfect-it Polishing Pad is easy to use and clean. Durable and performs as advertised. Much easier (and safer) than wool pads. Though it does not have a backing plate, it still is as durable than its competitors. The best feature we have found it that they are double sided. Meaning, once one side is used up, you can just flip it over and go to the other. You can’t go wrong with this finishing pad. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
6. Cyclo (72-115x4-4PK)
The Foam Polishing Pad with Loop by Cyclo Toolmakers is used on paint, gel coat, fiberglass, glass and many more. It features loop and hook backing for quick pad changes and it lasts longer for many repeat uses. These pads are best used for soft polishing and fresh vehicle detailing. These buffing pads are uses for paint or metal sealant, paint clean, paint cleaner, wax application, and last wax buff.
Use it on paint, metal, fiberglass, gelcoat, glass, acrylic surfaces and then some! Each pair bundled to shield from pollutants until ready to be used. The premium-grade certifiable cyclo cushions highlight hook and loop for speedy cushion replacement to ensure they are used to their fullest. Though they do not have a backing plate, the durability outlasts many of its competitors. This is the best finishing pad you can get. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
7. Chemical Guys BUFLC_103_6
The Heavy Polishing Pad by Chemical Guys slows rate of polish absorption. The paint benefits from a longer working time because the pads are slow to absorb. The cushions are designed to retain cleaning products, and thusly the paint profits by an extended working time. A great feature, is that the pads release polish as needed. The pads are specially designed with indentations, so that they do not stick when two flat surfaces meet. The holes in the foam pad are designed to reduce heat and resistance when used.
The collapsed cell structure, or CCS, of the pads, make it so that no product is wasted when polishing or cleaning. This allows for the light to moderate application of product over time. It makes it so that product is not absorbed as quickly into the pad, so it is not wasted. Plus building up chemicals inside of the pad can damage it over time. The hook and loop structure of the pad also makes it easy to attach to any tool. This buffing pad set is great for anyone’s polishing kit. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
8. Uxcell 2 Pcs Faux Wool
The Dia Car Detailing Buffing Polishing Pads is used for automobile polishing, private polishing, cosmetology and automobile maintenance. These pads are made with faux wool and elastic trim material. These are the best wool buffing pads you can get. These wool buffing pads are great for working with metal, glass, stainless steel, etc. With the soft exterior of these pads, it makes any surface slick and shiny. The soft wool absorbs any polishing products, so that it is evenly applied across the whole surface. These are great, because they work side-by-side with any dual action polisher.
This product is cheaper, and more reliable than the foam pads, Wool pads can go through wear and tear without needing to be replaced. Foam pads can easily break from the constant pressure. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
Maximizing the Life of the Best Polishing Pads
While polishing, it’s necessary to clean your pads from time to time. By doing this, objects that are picked up during polishing will not cause more damage.
One fast cleaning method is to use pad washers. The washing process is fast and easy letting you use the pads once again just in minutes.
A terry cloth could also be used to remove dirt from pads. Simply wrap the towel against the surface of the pad and turn on the polisher. Then, using your free hand, push the towel into the pad.
To clean manually, scrub the pad with a brush (preferably nylon). After scrubbing, wash the pad under running water or in a bucket of water.
It is also important to clean the pads immediately after use. The dirt and residue will settle in the pad making it more difficult to clean.
Before storing the pads, make sure it’s totally dry to prevent molds and moist. Store in a dry area. Remember to inspect the polishing pad before using again.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Polishing Pads
What is the difference between wool pads and foam pads? Wool pads are more aggressive while foam pads are gentler due to their foam construction.
Can polishing pads be reused? Yes. Normally, pads can be used several times on different vehicles as long as they are kept dry and clean after the polishing process.
How many pads are needed to polish? Depending on the size of the vehicle, usual cars can take an average of 2-3 pads. But for detailing purposes, more pads are better.
How long do polishing pads last? It depends on how much you use them. They will last longer when washed and clean after every use.
Which pad is best to polish scratches from hood? Some polishers require a specific type of pad but if it doesn’t, use wool pads for buffing compounds and foam pads for polishing compounds.
Is there color coding on polishing pads? None. Although some manufacturers categorize their pad’s aggressiveness base on color, there’s no standard as to what color should be used.
