You’ve learned a lot about buffing pads and it’s a lot of information to take in. It’s only natural to have some questions as you digest all this new learning. Here are some of the most common questions about buffing pads answered for your convenience.

How Many Pads Do I Need to Polish a Car, Truck, or SUV?

This is not a simple question and there is no specific number of pads as an answer. Some things to consider are the extent of your project, the condition of the surface of your car, and your expectations of the finished job. Some experts recommend two or even three buffing pads per stage of the job.

In other words, three pads for cutting, three for polishing, and three for finishing. The number of pads you choose to have for each stage will depend on your experience with buffing pads. Less experience means more pads while more experience means fewer pads.

And definitely don’t overwork or force the buffing pads to complete the job if they are worn out. This will lead to extra time and work to remove any damage the overworked pad has caused. Better to invest in more pads than spend time and effort correcting mistakes that you didn’t need to make in the first place.

How Long Do Polishing Pads Last?

A polishing pad’s lifespan depends on the type of pad as well as the pressure the user exerts on the pad.

Cutting pads have the shortest lifespan since their abrasiveness wears away with use. Polishing is next since they have less cutting ability and less abrasiveness to wear away. Pads for finishing last the longest since they are the smoothest and have little to no abrasiveness to wear away.

The pressure you exert also affects lifespan. If you have a strong touch, you’ll be replacing your pads more frequently. Those with a light touch will have pads that last longer.

When Do I Need to Clean Polishing Pads?

Over time, pads used for buffing and polishing absorb oils from the polishes used with the pads. They also get saturated with the paint that was removed from your car while you are polishing. With all of the saturation, the buffing and polishing pads lose some of their efficacy. You might also see splatter coming from the pads because the polish and paint have permeated into the pores of the pad.

In addition, you will notice that a section of your car that you polished earlier does not look as good as a section you recently polished. If this is the case, it’s probably time to clean your polishing pads.

How Do I Clean Polishing Pads?

When you’re ready for cleaning your polishing pad, you can follow these steps. First, prepare the pads by spraying them with an all-purpose cleaner. If you are not ready for the next stages at the moment, you can keep the pads in a plastic zip-lock bag so they don’t dry up.

Next, soak the pads in a polishing pad cleaner or some type of cleaning solution. Soaking will help loosen up the dirt and particles. You can also soak them in your sink with warm water and a small amount of dishwashing liquid.

After soaking, you’re ready for the rinsing phase. Open your faucet and lightly rub the polishing pad to remove dirt and unwanted particles. Continue rinsing until the water is clear.

Finally, you’re ready for the drying phase. This consists of squeezing as much water out of them as possible. Once you’ve removed as much water as possible, put your clean buffing pads in a warm place so they dry out completely.

How Do I Store Polishing Pads?

Dried polishing pads can be stored in zip-lock bags. Just make sure to separate the different types of pads according to their use. You don’t want a pad used for cutting to be stored with a finishing pad or you risk the contaminants from the cutting pad getting on the finishing pad.

What Is the Best Type of Car Polisher?

The purists out there may prefer to hand polish their cars, but that takes a lot of time and dedication. Machine polishing helps you to do the job quickly and efficiently. There are two types: dual action orbital polishers single action rotary polishers.

The best type of polisher may be a matter of personal preference, but the easiest to use and the best for a beginner is a dual action orbital polisher.

A dual action orbital polisher’s pad and backing plate spin in different directions. These polishers are suitable for light to moderate defect removal. They are typically used with foam and microfiber pads.

The learning curve on dual action orbital polishers is low, so these are great for beginners. The safest feature is that the more pressure you apply while polishing, the slower it spins so there is no chance of building up too much heat and harming your car’s paint job.

Rotary polishers (also called a rotary buffer) move in a circular motion in a single direction. They are good for the fast removal of moderate to heavy swirls, defects, and sanding marks. While wool and foam are most commonly used with these polishers, microfiber is sometimes used as well.

Rotary polishers are more difficult to use than orbital polishers because the pad friction generates heat. If too much pressure is applied or if you keep the pad in one place too long, you could create burns or swirls in your car’s exterior.

Using a rotary polisher takes practice and the learning curve is high. However, if you are experienced with these polishers, they make for quick work.