When it comes to compounding and polishing, pads do a sizable portion of the heavy lifting. Many detailers view those workhorse items as disposable and the pain of just buying more is just a necessary expense. However, if you take care of your pads they can last much longer than expected!

This may seem like an obvious solution; however, it is overlooked daily across the industry. Cleanliness of your pads affects their longevity. Contaminated, clogged or dirty pads may create more defects than they remove, so be sure to clean them regularly (and store in a sealed, dust-free container or cupboard). A pad brush or metal spur, is a must-have for Rotary Tool users with wool or foam pads in their repertoire.

Choose the Correct Pad Size

Forcing a large pad into a concave flute or tight gap can cause excess wear, and undesirable polishing errors. Make life easier by switching to a smaller option that fits just right. You wouldn’t use your two inch pad polish that whole hood, would you? So why use a large pad for tight corners?

Know the Limits of Your Pads

Don’t push a pad past its limits. Pads with the wrong aggression rating for the task will wear out prematurely, without the payback of great results. Pads with worn or bare areas are likely to induce defects and render the pad unusable.

Mask/Tape Up Sharp Edges and Emblems

Not only does taping or masking up sharp edges and car emblems helps to avoid harming sensitive parts of the car, but also prevents the pad from catching and tearing on the vehicle’s surfaces. Again, pads with worn or bare areas are likely to induce defects and render the pad unusable.

Air Dry Your Pads and Keep Them Stored Neatly

Make sure they are air dried (nobody likes a moldy pad) before stacking tidily in a sealed container or cabinet, without crushing them together.  They’ll keep their shape, and be easier to select when needed.