Buffing pad - colour code?

Klanky

Klanky

Member
I don't really know much about using a powered buffer, but I been an' got one anyway...

It comes with a range of 150mm foam pads in lots of lovely colours - but doesn't actually tell you what each pad's grade/purpose is. There's a harder foam pad, and then two softer foam pads that appear to be very similar in firmness, plus a woolly tie on bonnet thing.

My question is: Is there a set colour coding that relates to each pads purpose, or are manufacturers all doing their own thing on this? I'm a bit loth to just start guessing and slapping my Meguiars stuff onto the first pad I put my hand on...
 
Which manufacturer made the pads? Which buffer is it?

If it’s your ‘£500 doer upper’ you’re polishing the paint is likely to be hard.

If you can give me a bit more info I should be able to point you in the right direction 👍🏻
 
I would be carful with that.

It doesnt explicitly say its a DA (dual-action polisher) the reviews are all over the place as to whether it is or isnt. If it is not a DA, without any experience, you will burn through the clear coat in no time and leave yourself worse than where you started with a paint job to pay for.

Honestly, I would send it back buy a reputable unit.

The ones that cost more are dual action and orbital, this stops the contact area getting too hot so its hard to damage the paintwork and let the cutting product do the work. Its so much safer and easier to learn.

I would say its really not a good idea to buy a non DA as a beginner.

The fact it doesnt tell you what grade the pads are is a bit of red flag.

Generally, you have cut, refine and finishing pads. The harder foam pads are for cutting and the softer ones are for refining and finishing.

Hard - cutting compound
Medium - polishing
Soft - waxing

Worth doing some research.
 
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That’s a rotary, not a DA.
Of the three options open to you, rotary, DA, Forced rotation DA, rotary is the hardest to master.
Unless you’re a very fast learner, I agree that you should return it and buy a DA.

Most likely outcome is that you remove some swirls and defects from your paint work, but end up with buffer trails all over the place.

You could burn through the clear coat, especially on edges, but this isn’t typically an instant outcome even with a rotary.

Reading the product reviews, even some of the Vine reviews only give it 3 stars - Vine is where the product is given for free to a reviewer!

Having said all that, you might be a ‘natural’ and you might get great results quickly with little practice.
 
Rotaries are not for beginners!
Some experts at Gyeon use them on Youtube.
You will damage your car.

Send it back and get a DA polishing machine.

If your budget is £500 you can really take your pick. Get a Flex DA, or Rupes.

In terms of the pads:
Wool is for cutting, so removing serious swirls or scratches. It will remove lots of clear coat.

Then typically the foam pads hardness determines the cut for the pad. So the harder the pad, the more cut it gives.

You can use soft pads for waxes, toppers, resin coats etc.

How do you tell?
Line them up, press them, order them in terms of hardness and use a sharpie to write on the back.
 
Thanks for the warning and pointers, chaps.
I'll move the rotary on and look at something more sensible!
 
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