Hi folks,

I'm just wondering why pads are so different in what they accomplish.

I guess the waffle faced pads are a matter of preference to the flat pads, but flat pads are said to have more cutting power. Also egg crate pads don't get as hot but also don't last as long.

Bigger pads are said to produce more swirls, and would probably hop more than smaller ones, but depending on what product you are using they can be time savers.

Now for what I am wondering about:

Given you have two pads that are the same size and shape, what makes one more aggressive/different than another? The amount of pores per square inch or the hardness of the pad material (harder plastic that the pad is made of), or what?
I used to think it was just a matter of what product you were using (meaning what polish or compound) but I've recently learned that the pad is a big factor as well in the cutting/polishing ability.


Thanks in advance in for your time, and additionally to Greg, as I know he will post and shed a light on this topic.

 

both hardness and pore size (foam pads) contribute to the cutting power of the pads.

Example of difference in hardness,
Harder pads with small pores has more cut than soft pads with small pores. How? Let me ask you this.. Which one will hurt, a rock or a bread if you were to get hit by one?

Example of difference in pore size,
2 pads with equal hardness with one having larger pores. The pad with larger pores may have more cut than the pad with small pores. The larger pores are able to store more polish which comes into contact with paint as the pad spins. Also larger pores mean rough pad surface.

 

Thanks for the reply, Leo, that makes sense. I appreciate your time.

BTW, your work is amazing. I seen a thread which showcased your skills--very impressive!