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Mike.Phillips@Autogeek · 11-10-2011, 11:26 AM

Trend: Small buffing pads

Another trend I see for the future is for a greater selection small buffing pads for all polishers but primarily for rotary buffers because they enable you to buff the paint on thin panels without buffing on top of an edge or for buffing in tight areas.

Here are some prototype pads to be introduced in the future using various foam formulas so you can match the pad the project at hand...

This is a 4" pad with a 3" backing plate attached to it. While the total diameter is 4" the front of the pad is tapered and the actual flat surface area of the working face of the pad measures 3 1/2"

The taper at the back of the pad provides support to the working face while still retaining a stable but smaller Velcro attachment base for use with small backing plates. This locates the edge of the backing plate in-wards to provide a generous safety margin between the face and edges of the pad and the backing plate.

3 1/2" Buffing Pads

3 1/5" pad next to 2 1/4" pad

2 1/4" Buffing Pads
Here's another prototype buffing pad with a 3" diameter measurement for the back of the pad but because of the taper to the edge at the front of the pad the working face of the pad only measures 2 1/4"

Neither of these pads are currently in production as there are more tweaks to be made first. This is a trend for buffing pads into the future...

M0nk3y · 11-10-2011, 11:55 AM

Woooo!

Any timeline for release? I need some of these "cough" hydropads "cough"

FUNX725 · 11-10-2011, 12:32 PM

These smaller pads, coupled with the appropriate smaller backing plates (per: your other 'trend thread')/polishers & extensions, should allow my out-of-date processes requiring "by-and-with-my-hands-only-application" to areas of vehicles, such as these (Halo, hatch/luggage, rear clip, top of door panels/fenders) to fall even further to the wayside.

Thanks for the information. I just love new-fangled devices!!

Bob

CEE DOG · 11-10-2011, 12:36 PM

Bob!!!! You changed your avatar

. I like

FUNX725 · 11-10-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CEE DOG

Bob!!!! You changed your avatar

. I like

Thanks Corey. Snapped a few pics over the weekend...Not too often we get to go topless during November in Ohio...that's speaking only of the Corvette, of course.

Bob

SonOfOC · 11-10-2011, 01:12 PM

I find 3" to 4" pads on a rotary with backplate stand off to be very useful.
Hopefully, the prototypes will materialize into something like the LC HT trio in 3.5". Be nice if it comes in thinner than 1" too!

LC brand or Optimum....either way.

C. Charles Hahn · 11-10-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNX725

Thanks Corey. Snapped a few pics over the weekend...Not too often we get to go topless during November in Ohio...that's speaking only of the Corvette, of course.

Bob

So you've got two 'vettes, then? I thought all you had was the blown red C6.... the silver C5 'vert is yours too?

richy · 11-10-2011, 03:48 PM

Mike, I agree with you. I have been using 4" and smaller pads on every job I do at some point during the job. I often will go a bit smaller size with the bp than the pad too in order to give a safety margin if working in a difficult area. I have also used your tip of spreading polish on the adjacent area to protect it in case the pad does happen to come in contact as well. That was a great tip BTW.