No car detailing process is complete without polishing the paintwork. A machine polisher can provide a professional finish that you just can&#;t attain by hand applications. However, the effectiveness of your polishing depends on the pads you choose and the compound you choose to use with it. But this begs the question, how do you find the right combination without running the risk of damaging your paintwork?
In this blog, we&#;ll talk you through the different types of car polishing pads available to help you make an informed choice, running you through what materials are available, what they are used for, and how to keep them clean for best performance.
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Polishing pads refer to the type of applicator that you use with a machine polisher. These pads are most commonly made of foam designed for paint correction and refinement, however the pads can also be made of microfibre or wool. You may occasionally see hand applicators be referred to as polishing pads, as they are sometimes suitable for use both by hand and with a machine. Polishing pads and hand applicators are usually made of the same materials, with the key difference being the pace which they work at. Naturally, hand polishing your car will take a much longer time and whilst it will give a good finish, it will require more effort to achieve the same effect as machine polishing.
With that being said, the term &#;polishing pad&#; is mostly only used for machine polishing and the categories can be broken down further by size and material. As mentioned, there are three types of materials available:
In terms of size, most of the modern pads come in 5-inch, 3-inch, and 1-inch sizes to fit a range of polishers and have a hook and loop design to stick to the backing plate on the machine.
Polishing pads can be somewhat compared to an abrasive, like sandpaper. They&#;re used with products like compound or polish which will break down surfaces and work them through to correct and refine. This means that it&#;s important to get the combination of pad and product correct as this will determine the effect it has on the surface of the car. To put it simply, polishing pads work by using friction, of which the level corresponds to how much of your paintwork a pad can remove during the polishing process.
The effect your polishing pad has on your finish depends on a range of factors including materials, sizes, construction, coarseness, firmness, and flexibility. Each of these variables on its own can make a difference. For example, two pads made from the same foam which are exactly the same, apart from one being thicker than the other, will have variable results. To understand what effects polishing pads will have on your paintwork, we can take a closer look at each material.
Wool and microfibre pads are aggressive when used with a compound of polish because the fibres have a larger surface area than foam. This means that there is increased physical contact with the surface and more friction, resulting in removing more of the paint and surface layers. Out of these two materials, wool polishing pads are the most aggressive and will create a surface that needs more refinement because of the level of abrasion. On the other hand, microfibre pads are marginally less aggressive and will create micro scratches and a cloudy surface that still requires a lot of refinement.
Typically, wool and microfibre pads aren&#;t used as much by detailers and are only used when foam pads aren&#;t able to cut through heavy defects. In most circumstances, you&#;ll find that foam pads are a suitable all-round option. The density and structure of the foam will dictate how it reacts with the surface. Harder and more dense foam is used for cutting due to increased abrasion, and lighter foam can be used for refinement and finishing. As such, it is recommended to have a range of polishing pads in your detailing kit.
There are also two other types of polishing pads but they are used much less frequently within detailing circles. The first of these are denim pads which are designed to gently eliminate heavy orange peel in the top layer of your paint without sanding, and is equivalent to grit sandpaper. The second of these is a glass polishing pad, which as the name suggests, is designed to polish glass without scratching or damaging the surface. They have less heat built up which makes them more suitable for use on such surfaces without compromising the safety of the glass.
Unfortunately, there isn&#;t really a list of combinations to choose from. They can be used interchangeably and with so many variables it really depends on what kind of performance and effect you&#;re looking for. The performance of polishers can even depend on the paint adhered by the vehicle manufacturer which may require more aggressive polishing, or gentle polishing. Typically when you&#;re just getting started, we&#;d recommend sticking to one manufacturer for both pad and compound because they&#;ll be tested together for more reliable results.
If you&#;re wary of causing damage to your vehicle, you can try out your combination on a panel from the scrapyard first and see how effective it is before trying it on your own car. This is also beneficial if you&#;re new to using a machine polisher as you&#;ll want to practise not staying in one spot for too long which can generate too much heat and cause damage, and you&#;ll be able to practise applying the correct amount of pressure.
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Proper maintenance of your polishing pads is essential to ensure their longevity and performance. If you&#;re unsure how to clean your pads, use the following tips:
Polishing pads are a useful tool when it comes to achieving a flawless finish. If you understand the different types of polishing pads and how to maintain them, you&#;ll be able to achieve great results. It is important to remember that each type has unique characteristics and different benefits, and which ones you&#;ll require depends on the needs of your vehicle.
At My Car Cleaning, we stock a comprehensive range of polishing pads, polishers, and compounds so that you can find what you&#;re looking for to achieve that pristine, straight out of the dealership look.
Efficiency and Speed: Machine polishing is generally faster and more efficient than hand polishing. The power tools used in machine polishing, such as rotary or dual-action polishers, allow for quicker application of polishing compounds and larger coverage areas. This makes machine polishing well-suited for larger surface areas or more extensive correction work.
Consistency: Machine polishers provide more consistent results compared to hand polishing. The movements of machine polishers are typically uniform, ensuring even distribution of the polishing compounds and consistent pressure on the surface. This helps to achieve a more uniform finish across the entire surface.
Correction Abilities: Machine polishing has greater correction abilities than hand polishing. The mechanical action of machine polishers generates more cutting power, making them effective in removing deeper scratches, swirl marks, and other surface imperfections. The level of correction achieved with machine polishing is often higher than what can be achieved by hand.
Learning Curve: Machine polishing has a steeper learning curve compared to hand polishing. Proper technique, tool control, and pad selection are crucial to avoid damaging the surface. It requires practice, experience, and familiarity with different polishing compounds, pads, and machine settings to achieve optimal results.
Risk of Damage: Improper use of machine polishers can potentially damage the surface if not used correctly. The high-speed rotation or oscillation of the machine, combined with excessive pressure or extended dwell time, can lead to paint burn-through or holograms if caution is not exercised.
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