How to Choose the Right Polish Pad (Pro Tips)
Choosing the right polish pad makes a huge difference. Here’s a pro guide to picking the best pad for your paint type, level of correction, and final finish.
Why Pad Choice Matters
Your pad selection controls how much your polish cuts AND how it finishes.
The same polish—like Picture Perfect Polish—can behave very differently depending on which pad you pair it with.
Basic Pad Types
- Cutting Pads: Maximum defect removal → can finish very well with modern polishes
- Polishing Pads: Balanced cut + finish → great for one step polishing
- Finishing Pads: Minimal cut → pure gloss refining or protection application
When to Use Cutting Pads
- Moderate to heavy swirls
- Oxidation
- Harder clear coats (German cars, some American)
- First pass with Picture Perfect Polish on tough defects
When to Use Polishing Pads
- Light to moderate defects
- Soft/medium clear coats
- Daily drivers you’re doing one step polish on
- Balancing cut and finish for 90% of correction jobs
When to Use Finishing Pads
- Final refining on show cars
- Ultra-soft black paints prone to haze
- Applying protection (ceramic coating toppers, sealants, waxes)
Pro Pad Selection Tips
- Start with a test section using a polishing pad and Picture Perfect Polish.
- If more cut is needed, switch to a cutting pad.
- If the finish isn’t perfect, follow with a polishing or finishing pad.
- Use dedicated pads for each product—don’t cross-contaminate.
The Power of a Pad-Dependent Polish
Picture Perfect Polish was designed to be pad dependent:
- With a cutting pad → removes serious defects while finishing beautifully
- With a polishing pad → perfect one step polish with deep gloss
- With a finishing pad → ultra-refined show car gloss
This gives you incredible flexibility—one polish to do it all.
The Bottom Line
The right pad makes all the difference. Pair Picture Perfect Polish with the right pad for your paint and your goals, and you’ll get pro-level results every time.
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