Mini Review-- Buff & Shine Low-Pro Foam Pads for Long Throw Polishers

[ski2]

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Info From Buff & Shine

-Specifically designed to resist the stress and tearing action of long throw polishers
-Foams designed for long throw machines--run cooler and don’t collapse or soften from the heat
-Denser foams reduce polish absorption by the foam keeping it on the surface of the pad for quicker, more efficient defect removal
-Flame, fuel, oil resistant rubber interface for improved balance and reduced vibration
-Center cooling hole aids in pad positioning on the polisher

Green Pad--Extra Cut
Orange Pad--Light Cut/Heavy Polishing
Maroon Pad--Polishing
Red Pad--Finishing/LSP Application
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My Measurements

Small Pads--5.5” diameter foam, 4 15/16” diameter Velcro, 7/8” total thickness, ¼” interface pad thickness, 5/8” foam thickness

Large Pads--6.5” diameter foam, 6 1/16” diameter Velcro, 15/16” total thickness, ¼” interface pad thickness, 11/16” foam thickness

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I used the 5.5” pads with HD Adapt on a 2005 Altima that was in pretty bad shape. Clear was hard, but not as hard as VW clear.

My Observations

-Previously I’ve used my G15 with Buff & Shine’s standard 5.5” foam pads and was happy with the smoothness and lack of vibration, but with the Low-Pro pads I was amazed at how much smoother, with even less vibration, the polisher operated.

-The beveled edge (foam is tapered to wider diameter than the interface rubber) really allows you to safely polish close to protruding objects.

-Polishing product definitely does seem to ride on the surface of the foam rather than be absorbed by the pad--made cleaning on the fly much more effective.

After some test spots

Green Pad
--very firm (firmer than a B&S yellow), very fast cut--almost as much as a MF pad--used to do some spot polishing on deeper rids which it removed in a snap but I was surprised how well it finished.
Orange Pad
--again very firm--firmer than a B&S standard orange pad --almost as firm as the Low-pro green pad--cut really well and finished LSP ready on this harder Altima clear--ended up being the pad of choice for this car--this could be a great pad for one steps on harder clear
Maroon Pad
--firmer than a B&S standard green polishing pad--tried it on a few spots--really cut well for a polishing pad and finished very, very well--can’t wait to use this on my spring detail on my two Vws with just light wash marring--could be a great pad for one steps on softer clear
Red Pad
--dramatically softer than the Maroon pad--can’t see myself using the G15 for LSP application but this could be a great pad for refinement on nonmetallic black cars-didn’t have a chance to use this on the Altima --very dense pores like the standard red B&S pad so it should keep LSPs from soaking in just as well

Overall Impressions

High Quality--I’ve never had a B&S pad blow up, shred or the Velcro separate so I believe these will be just as high quality.

You can see how much effort is taken to create a top notch pad--the edges are finished very well and the Velcro almost looks like it’s fused to the interface rubber.

The pads just seem to glide over the paint doing their job with no effort on your part.

Pad cleaning after the car was complete was a snap -- soaked in Dawn for a couple of hours then sprayed with APC and rinsed--easy to remove product as it was for the most part on the surface of the pad

Pricing--as others have mentioned I was disappointed to see these were priced right up there with Rupes and Boss pads but I’ll have no problem spending the extra $$ for a quality product.

[Zubair]

Thanks for the review but cant seem to order these, have they been removed?

[ski2]

Thanks for the review but cant seem to order these, have they been removed?

They are listed here Buff & Shine Low-Pro Large Throw Foam Pads 5.5 Inch

But doesn't look like you can order them yet--perhaps after SEMA.

[dlc95]

Nice review! I hate firm pads, but might put some of those green pads in the cart. Very rarely do I need anything firmer than the green pad.

[Zubair]

They are listed here Buff & Shine Low-Pro Large Throw Foam Pads 5.5 Inch

But doesn't look like you can order them yet--perhaps after SEMA.

Would the maroon or red finish better with a finishing polish like M205/SF4000?

[ski2]

Nice review! I hate firm pads, but might put some of those green pads in the cart. Very rarely do I need anything firmer than the green pad.

The Low-Pro green pads are VERY firm similar to the yellow in the standard B&S 5.5" pads. The Low-Pro maroon pads are a little firmer than the green pads in the standard 5.5" pad line.

I think the firmness has to do with the fact these were designed for long throw polishers.

[ski2]

Would the maroon or red finish better with a finishing polish like M205/SF4000?

Depends on the paint and what you are trying to accomplish. The Maroon definately has some cut to it but finishes really, really well. The Red has very little cut and as I mentioned would be best for fine finish work such as nonmetallic black or applying LSPs.

[VP Mark]

Thanks for the review. I'm on the fences about the high throw pads because of the cost.

[Zubair]

How would you rate the green to cut against their yellow?

Am curious how the green would fair against the LC ThinPro Grey in cut.

[ski2]

How would you rate the green to cut against their yellow?

Am curious how the green would fair against the LC ThinPro Grey in cut.

Can't comment on the LC ThinPro Grey, but the green Low-Pro has more cut than the standard B&S yellow 5.5" pad IMO.