Dusting and pad conditoning.

[Adam]

Just wondering what I can use to condition my polishing pads. Will a quick mist of distilled water be enough? Or do I need a specialist product? Also what can I do to minimise dusting?
I know they're probably simple questions to answer and I'm sure a search would reveal some. I have done a search (both here and other forums) but am getting conflicting answers.

[A4 1.8tqm]

A light mist of water or something like Pinnacle XMT Polishing Pad Conditioner will work. Prime your pad with polish, and clean it often. A pad that was used, rinsed, squeeze/spin dried and re-primed with polish won't be as prone to dusting IME.

[Adam]

Thanks for that. So a pads are easier to use the second time around?

[A4 1.8tqm]

Not necessarily any easier to use, but when it's slightly damp it will help to keep the polish from drying out and dusting. If you don't dry the pad well enough it will make a mess of thinned out polish dripping and splattering everywhere. You just gotta find the right balance on your own.

[Mike Phillips]

Pad "type" makes a difference.

A cutting pad is more dense and stiffer, dampening it softens it a little before use making it more pliable.

[Adam]

Ah ok. That explains why I got dusting with my cutting pad and not the finishing pad.

Thanks Mike!