Pad Survey: How many do you use?

[BlueBeast14GT]

Pad Survey: How many do you use?

I'm asking for two reasons:

Trying to gauge whether I'm using too many
A little project I'm working on


This can vary a lot depending on the type of job, of course. So, on average...


How many pads for a full vehicle in bad, decent, or good condition?
How many for a small job like fixing a couple scratches, or etchings from hard water or bird droppings?
Can you estimate how many panels you get out of a pad, or how many pads you use per panel?
Overall, what's the max number of pads you've used on a single vehicle?


I appreciate the feedback guys, so thank you in advance.:thankyousign:

[RWalleyTX]

I use about 2 when I use 1 product

[Charleston]

I use about 3-4

Small spot job just 1.

I have used 5 on a single stage job

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Pad Survey: How many do you use?

I'm asking for two reasons:

Trying to gauge whether I'm using too many
A little project I'm working on


This can vary a lot depending on the type of job, of course. So, on average...


How many pads for a full vehicle in bad, decent, or good condition?

Bad - At least 4 Decent & Good - At least 3


How many for a small job like fixing a couple scratches, or etchings from hard water or bird droppings?

2, usually 3 in for stuff like that


Can you estimate how many panels you get out of a pad, or how many pads you use per panel?

Around 2, depending on condition and step


Overall, what's the max number of pads you've used on a single vehicle?


8, Absolute wrecked Saab 9-7X SUV. That was just the compounding step.

I appreciate the feedback guys, so thank you in advance.:thankyousign:

Answers in bold.

[Audios S6]

All listed as per step, as in, I will use this many pads only to compound. Also, numbers denote how many pads after I have already nailed down my process. I may go through 4 pads just to figure out what combo works best on that step, especially on 1-steps.

1. as few as 3, as many as 6. Clean on the fly and with a pad washer and rotated back in to service.
2. as few as 2
3. typically 2-3 or 1 very large
4. 8

Note that these numbers are somewhat artificially high since I may need to use a 2", 3", 4" and 6" pad on one car, though the majority is done with 2-3 6" pads. The 2" pad many only be needed for 1 square foot, but I still need to break it out, swap machines and clean-up afterward.

[Scott@IncrediblyDetailed]

There is no right or wrong answer. I typically stop using a pad once its too saturated with product. It might be one panel or it might be half the car it just depends on the condition, the products I'm using and how many passes.

Once you see a decreased performance switch to a new pad.

Average car I'm using 4-10 pads per step. Varying from 7 inches to 2 inches.

[Kamakaz1961]

I guess I am gonna get slammed on this based on my response....I use 1 for each.
1 Orange Pad (LC Hybrid or LC Pad) for compounding.
1 White Pad (LC Hybrid or LC Pad) for polishing.
1 Black Pad (LC Hybrid or LC Pad) for Sealant.
1 Gold LC Pad for wax.

This is for an entire car. I have not worked on a large SUV or Truck, but if I did I would assume to double the Orange Pad and White Pad. The Black and Gold would still be 1 Pad.

I am at least on Audio S6 camp for cleaning on the fly.

I will spritz the Pad with a QD (aquawax) to use the excess compound/polish product on the Pad. No need to add anymore product. I usually will do this on the final phase of each panel if I still see something that needs to be corrected.

As for Sealant/Waxing; 1 Pad each is sufficient. 1 Pad for each step is fine for me.

Again, this is my technique and I would assume many people here will think I am full of it, however, this is my technique and I have done quite well with the way I do it.

So that is my answer to your question.....LOL!!

:buffing:

[ryandamartini]

I guess I am gonna get slammed on this based on my response....I use 1 for each.
1 Orange Pad (LC Hybrid or LC Pad) for compounding.
1 White Pad (LC Hybrid or LC Pad) for polishing.
1 Black Pad (LC Hybrid or LC Pad) for Sealant.
1 Gold LC Pad for wax.

This is for an entire car. I have not worked on a large SUV or Truck, but if I did I would assume to double the Orange Pad and White Pad. The Black and Gold would still be 1 Pad.

I am at least on Audio S6 camp for cleaning on the fly.

I will spritz the Pad with a QD (aquawax) to use the excess compound/polish product on the Pad. No need to add anymore product. I usually will do this on the final phase of each panel if I still see something that needs to be corrected.

As for Sealant/Waxing; 1 Pad each is sufficient. 1 Pad for each step is fine for me.

Again, this is my technique and I would assume many people here will think I am full of it, however, this is my technique and I have done quite well with the way I do it.

So that is my answer to your question.....LOL!!

:buffing:

I'm not far off. I never use more than a few pads per vehicle unless its a full on correction with rotary, finish with the DA.

<3 Pad washer!

[Kamakaz1961]

I'm not far off. I never use more than a few pads per vehicle unless its a full on correction with rotary, finish with the DA.

<3 Pad washer!

WHEW!!!! I guess I am not that crazy after all!!! Or there are 2 crazy guys on this POST!!!

You and me!!

Im the MAN