When assessing what compounds and pads you should use with your machine, there are a few variables to consider:
Type of your paint: Your car has a specific type of paint, and this will roughly determine the hardness. Generally speaking, Asian cars have softer paint systems, European cars have harder paint systems, and Australian cars are more in the middle, intermediate paint systems.
Paint condition: Simply put, this is just regarding how many defects/scratches are in your paintwork, and what you are looking to get out.
Type of pad: Different pad types offer different benefits. Foam pads are usually the standard, as they provide a good level of cut, and are easy to finish with. Microfiber pads provide a fast, rapid cut that usually leaves a good finish, but require an air compressor to blow them out after each pass. Wool pads offer incredible levels of cut, but usually leave a poor finish, and will most likely need to be further refined.
Pad size & compatibility: Pads come in an array of sizes, and they usually taper down. For example, Shine Mate pads come in 4”, 6” and 7” in terms of their pad surface size, but they taper down to a 3”, 5” and 6” backing plate respectively. Pads also may be tailored to a specific machine, e.g. Lake Country CCS pads are made for more rotary machine applications.
Type of Compound: Compounds come in different grades of cutting ability, and some have waxes, sealants or coating embedded in the products. It’s important to choose a compound that suits that application of what you are trying to achieve.
You can browse our wide selection of cutting pads, intermediate pads, finishing pads, microfiber pads, wool pads, intermediate compounds, cutting compounds and finishing compounds. It can be easier to also look at our Kits & Pad Stacks, or our Compounds Kits.
If you are struggling to figure out what pad/compound selection is right for you and your car polisher, feel free to get in touch with us through live chat, emailing us on info@waxit.com.au, or giving us a call!