Pads?

[selkov]

Are all pads colored to represent the same effectiveness?
That is are all brands black pads for finishing?

I was given some pads from a friend- I do not know who made them but I have five colors:
Black
Blue
Green
Red
Orange

The orange is definitely the stiffest
While the black seems softest.

How should I determine what to use which for?

[WillSports3]

Black, Blue, Red, should all be finishing pads. If they feel stiff, the more aggressive they are. Orange is usually a light cutting pad.
Orange to remove swirls, the rest are kind of too soft for anything else.

[selkov]

So then orange for paint correction and the rest don't matter?

[WillSports3]

rest is for applying waxes basically.

[selkov]

Cool. And wax removal with them is ok?

[WillSports3]

nope use wax removal with a good quality microfiber towel. Never use pads to remove wax.

[PaulMys]

Cool. And wax removal with them is ok?

You could use a MF bonnet over the pad to remove wax. But quite frankly, after fussing with the bonnets, you could have removed the wax from entire car with some good MF towels.

[Mike Phillips]

Here you go, click the link below and watch the video.

In the video - I show how to tell what a pad is by feeling it. That is running your clean hand over the face of the pad. Also test it by compressing it.


LIVE Detailing Class - Foam and Fiber Buffing Pads - Everything you ever wanted to know but couldn't find anyone to explain it to you