What Pad Should You Use for Paint Correction?
Your polish only works as well as the pad behind it. Here’s how to pick the right one to fix swirls and get a glossy, swirl-free finish.
Why the Pad Matters
Polishing pads determine how aggressively the polish works. Even with the same product, you’ll get very different results with a cutting pad vs. a finishing pad.
Think of pads like sandpaper grits—each one has a specific job to do.
Cutting Pads – For Swirl Removal
Use a cutting pad when your paint has visible swirls, haze, or light scratches. These pads are firmer and more aggressive—they increase the cutting power of your polish to level defects faster.
We recommend the Burgundy Correction Pad for most one-step corrections. It cuts effectively without being too aggressive, making it perfect for daily drivers and neglected paint.
Finishing Pads – For Gloss and Refinement
Use a finishing pad when your paint is already in decent shape or after using a cutting pad. These are soft, plush pads designed to bring out clarity and remove micro-marring.
Our go-to for this step is the Black Finishing Pad. It spreads product evenly and leaves zero haze—just slick, glossy paint.
How to Choose the Right Pad
- Badly swirled or dull paint? Start with a Burgundy Correction Pad
- Light polishing or soft paint? Use a Black Finishing Pad
- Want one pad to do both? Start with Burgundy, then switch to Black on final passes
How Many Pads Do You Need?
Ideally, you’ll want at least 2–3 of each type. Polishing generates heat and buildup, so rotating to a fresh pad every few panels will keep your results consistent.
Don't try to do the whole car with one pad—it’ll clog, flatten, and reduce performance fast.
Pro Tip: Let the Pad Do the Work
You shouldn’t have to press hard if you’re using the right pad. Moderate pressure + slow passes + the right pad = swirl-free, glossy paint.
Our Recommended Pad System
- Burgundy Correction Pad – For swirl removal
- Black Finishing Pad – For refining gloss
- Picture Perfect Polish – Works with either pad depending on what you need
Final Thoughts
Picking the right pad is one of the most important parts of paint correction. Start with correction, finish with finesse, and let your results speak for themselves.
Want an easy system that takes out the guesswork? Grab Picture Perfect Polish with a Burgundy Pad and Black Pad and you’re good to go.
