Buffing Pads

Buffing pads are typically sponge pads which affix to a machine polisher by means of a backing plate which specifically designed to attach that size or type of pat to a machine polisher. The polish or compound is then applied to the sponge pad, which when it spins around, will polish the car.

Polishing pads can be made of other materials, such as soft fabric and felt. Wool or similar synthetic materials were used for many years, but is now far less common.

While the grade of compound determines the majority of the degree of cut, the coarseness of the buffing pad also plays a part. Therefore,  coarse pads are used when using cutting compounds, and close cell dense foam is used for applying finishing products.

What it means

Buffing pads are the removable pads that sit between a machine polisher and the paint. They are usually made from foam, microfibre or wool and attach to a backing plate with hook and loop. By choosing different pad materials and densities, a detailer can decide whether the machine will cut quite strongly, carry out general polishing or perform very gentle finishing on the clearcoat.

Why it matters

• They control cut and finish: The same compound on a soft finishing pad will behave very differently to the same product on a stiff cutting pad, so pad choice is a big part of how much correction you get and how glossy the paint looks afterwards.
• They affect safety: Using an overly aggressive pad on thin or sensitive paint can leave haze, holograms or even speed up clearcoat wear, while the right pad helps the machine work smoothly and safely.
• They define service levels: When a detailer talks about one stage or multi stage machine polishing, they are really talking about moving through different pad and polish combinations, from stronger cutting pads to finer finishing pads.

Where you’ll see them

You will see buffing pads mentioned on detailing kit lists and machine polishing guides, and physically stacked on shelves in bodyshops and detailing studios. On product pages they are usually described as cutting pads, polishing pads or finishing pads and colour coded by the manufacturer so technicians can quickly pick the right level of aggression.

Context

Buffing pads are consumable items in paint correction. Foam pads come in many densities and face patterns, microfibre pads add extra bite for defect removal, and wool or blended pads are often used on rotary polishers for heavier cutting. Keeping pads clean, choosing the correct size for the panel and pairing them sensibly with compounds and machines all make a noticeable difference to the final finish.

Common mistakes

• Using one “all purpose” pad for every stage of polishing instead of stepping down from cutting pads to polishing and finishing pads.
• Not cleaning or changing pads often enough, so spent polish, dust and removed paint clog the surface and start to mar the finish.
• Choosing a pad that is far too aggressive for the paint type or defect level, creating haze and holograms that then need extra work to remove.
• Mixing different products on the same pad without cleaning it properly, which can make compounds behave unpredictably and reduce performance.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 17/11/2025 17:04