Which Polish Pad to Use? Expert Guide for Flawless Results & Durability

▸ Working on automotive or marine surfaces?

▸ Need heavy-cut correction or final gloss?

▸ Using rotary or orbital polisher?

Q: Which polish pad should I use for car detailing?

A: Use a foam polishing pad (white or orange) for light to medium polishing. For heavy correction, opt for a microfiber or wool pad. Always match the pad aggressiveness to the polish compound.

Q: Which pad is best for polishing painted surfaces?

A: Soft foam pads (black or blue) are ideal for final polishing and glaze application. For swirl removal, choose medium-density foam pads (green or yellow). Avoid aggressive pads on delicate paint.

Q: Which buffer pad should I use with a dual-action polisher?

A: Use 5.5-inch foam pads for optimal performance on DA polishers. Microfiber cutting pads work for heavy defects, while finishing pads (gray/red) provide jeweled finishes. Ensure pads match your machine's backing plate size.

Q: What pad should I use for compounding versus polishing?

A: Use stiff wool or heavy-cut microfiber pads for compounding. Switch to softer foam pads (white or black) for polishing. Always progress from coarse to fine pads during multi-step corrections.

Q: Which polishing pad color indicates light cutting action?

A: Orange pads typically offer light cutting for minor defects. Green pads provide moderate correction, while yellow/red are for finishing. Check manufacturer charts as color systems vary between brands.