Car care can be a rewarding but frustrating experience. There are countless brands, colors, materials, and sizes of buffing pads—which do you choose? In this guide, we’ll give you the information and tools you need to make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing buffing and finishing pads.
Best OverallTCP Global 8-inch Buffing Kit
Check Latest PriceSummaryIf you’re serious about buffing your car and want to learn more about the various steps, choose this set of six pads and backing plate from TCP Global.
ProsChemical Guys 6.5-inch Buffing Sampler Kit
Check Latest PriceSummaryThis sampler kit includes three pads and a 16-ounce bottle of pad cleaner, an ideal starter set for buffers of all experience levels.
ProsCasoman 7-Inch Buffing and Polishing Pad Kit
Check Latest PriceSummaryThis waxing and buffing pad kit includes seven pieces of varying levels of coarseness. The pads are washable and reusable.
ProsMost buffing pads use a hook-and-loop design, which simply refers to how the pad attaches to the backing plate of your buffer. You have probably seen the hook-and-loop style before if you have ever worked with Velcro—it’s the same concept. Hook-and-loop polishing pads are the most common you’ll see.
Cutting pads are rougher and are intended to contact the surface of the paint and create friction/heat when used with cutting compounds. They may also be referred to as compounding pads, though polishing pads fall into this category as well. Typically made of coarser materials, cutting pads must be used in conjunction with polishing pads (and polish) to achieve a swirl-free, sparkling, like-new effect when doing some heavy cutting. Most cutting compounds come in all shapes and sizes, from three inches up to eight inches. It’s best to use cutting pads at lower RPMs for the best effect.
Polishing pads are typically smoother and/or softer than cutting pads and are intended to work with polishing compounds. These pads come in all shapes and sizes as well, just like compounding pads. Many polishing pads are designed to remove swirls and wet sanding marks, so they’re typically flatter, to prevent further swirl marks from appearing. It’s best to use polishing pads at medium to high speeds for a swirl-free look.
Synthetic wool pads, as opposed to lambswool pads, are not for the faint of heart—or weak arm muscles. Requiring a higher degree of control than cutting or polishing pads, synthetic wool buffing pads use fiber-like hairs to remove the faintest scratches that won’t come out otherwise. Synthetic wool polishing pads can be spun at higher RPMs to achieve large amounts of heat and friction but must be combed out and puffed up after a few passes on the paint for best effect. These hairy pads are used with both cutting and polishing compounds.
Most buffing pads are made of foam. They’re often used between low and high RPMs depending on their type, size, use, etc. They also come in various colors that correspond to different compounds. Foam polishing pads can be formed into shapes such as waffle foam, honeycomb/hex, or a smooth surface. Denser foam pads are used for cutting; lighter foam pads finish the job via polishing or waxing.
Microfiber pads are a mix between foam pads and synthetic wool. Small, short fibers located on the pad’s surface create heat and friction for a smooth, swirl-free finish. Microfiber pads are often used with cutting compound or polish as an intermediate step; they are more aggressive than foam pads, but still, require the follow-up use of a foam pad to create a mirror finish.
Founded in 1902, this well-known company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. 3M specializes in automotive, communications, energy, health care, and transportation, to name a few. You may also consider the 3M Perfect It Foam Compounding Pad Set, which features three pads designed to cover the basic steps of paint correction.
Headquartered in Irvine, California, this popular company was founded in 1901. Meguiars has been in the automotive industry for years, developing products for automotive, professional, and marine platforms alike. Recognized for introducing the microfiber pad to paint correction enthusiasts, Meguiars offers their Microfiber Correction System for those looking to shake things up a bit by trying something new.
Though its Italian parent company was founded in 1947, RUPES USA is relatively new to the scene. The international company acquired a Colorado-based tool manufacturer in 2015. RUPES offers a variety of products for the weekend warrior and professional detailer, such as the 4-Pad 6” Foam Pack that features coarse, medium, fine, and ultrafine pads for a start-to-finish buffing experience.
Purchasing the correct pad size for your platform is key. Some rotary and dual-action machines will accept various sizes of pads via interchangeable backing plates. If you have to make the choice between a smaller or a larger buffing pad than the size recommended for your platform, it’s best to go with a larger one.
Buffing pads are circular, but some pad faces are shaped in different ways. Waffle pads are used for extending the buffer’s reach into the valleys of the car’s body lines; honeycomb pads allow for distribution of air during the buffing process, and smooth/flat pads are used for polishing and finishing to achieve a mirror-like effect.
It’s important to understand what type of pad you need for the various buffing processes involved in correcting automotive paint. Cutting pads are typically denser to handle the intense heat and friction needed to repair deep scratches. Polishing pads are light and flat. Don’t attempt to use a pad for any other process than what it’s designed to do.
There are just as many buffers out there as buffing pads. The good thing about this kit from TCP Global is, no matter what brand of buffer you buy, these 8-inch buffing pads will hook right up to the included backing plate that threads onto the spindle. This is why it’s our top pick. Serious buffing aficionados will be quick to tell you that having a variety of buffing pads is key to tackling any car you encounter.
With the TCP Global buffing kit, you’re able to quickly identify which pad you need for the corresponding process. The waffle design of the pads allows you to tackle the hard-to-reach spots around creases in the body lines. Since this kit comes with so many pads, you can experiment to see what type of pad is best for each buffing step.
First-time buffers may be confused by the number of pads included if they’re not knowledgeable about the steps required to buff a car properly. This kit is an investment as well. With a bit of research, however, you can get respectable results when it comes time to buff your car’s paint.
We chose the sampler kit of 6.5-inch buffing pads from Chemical Guys as our value option because it makes understanding the buffing process incredibly simple for a good price. With three pads, you’re able to compound, polish, and wax nearly any vehicle. As long as you remember which color corresponds to which process, it’s as simple as switching out pads and moving onto the next step.
The hex pattern of the Chemical Guys buffing pads straddles the middle ground between completely flat pads and those with a waffle design. This means you’re able to reach into the curves of the body lines to get the full effect, while still being able to keep the pad itself level across the paint surface to reduce swirls. Plus, the included cleaning solution means you won’t have to worry about what to soak your pads in between uses.
The main issue with the starter kit is just that: It’s a starter kit you shouldn’t necessarily use for intense paint correction. Generally speaking, buffing a car will almost always revive the paint to a certain degree, but depending on the condition of the paint itself, you might need a more aggressive approach. However, Chemical Guys have made it incredibly easy to get into buffing your own car with this affordable kit.
This 7-inch hook and loop polishing pad kit features seven pieces for waxing, polishing, and sealing. The pads are washable and reusable and have varying levels of softness and coarseness, depending on what you require. They polish even the most difficult scratches and oxidation areas.
The pads are lightweight, easy to assemble, and include Velcro, which makes them easy to change. They are flexible, durable, economic, and will not damage the surface area of your vehicle. Overall, they are very good-quality, easy to use, and do the job well.
However, the wool pad may prematurely fall apart. It sheds a lot of fiber that can wind up getting all over the place. Also, you may receive pads you don't need because they are only sold as a kit, not individually.
This wool buffing pad measures 3 inches across. It has wool fibers that create a plush nap on the buffing pad’s surface. On the backside of the pad is 3M’s Hookit attachment system. You can use this pad on variable speed polishers, buffers, and orbital tools. The wool fibers are carefully woven to provide an even buffing surface that will evenly and consistently distribute your compound or other polishing material.
The super-soft wool nap helps this buffing pad to conform and wrap around the curves of your car. This creates a better and more thorough buffing job. The 3M attachment system is fast and secure, which helps in fast pad changes and more secure buffing.
Unfortunately, this buffing pad is meant for professional use. This means the average DIYer probably doesn’t have the rotary or buffing tool that’s compatible in their garage.
This soft buffing pad is made from all-natural, 100 percent wool. It features a solid polishing surface and a drawstring tie to secure it to your power buffer or polisher. You can use this pad with compounds, paint sealants, and glazes.
The standard size of 7 inches in diameter means this buffing pad will fit the majority of power buffers and polishers on the market. That makes this pad widely versatile. You’ll also appreciate the slip-over installation that makes this buffing pad easy to secure.
Users say the drawstring tie can come loose and cause the pad to wobble or come off completely. This can cause damage if it happens while you’re using a power buffer.
It’s easy to run your buffing pad a bit too close to sharp edges when buffing a car, especially if you’re tired. However, if you remove large amounts of the pad during use, replace the pad before you buff another car. If the pad surface is pockmarked, replace it as soon as possible.
The answer to this question depends on what steps in the buffing process you want to do. In general, if you want like-new paint, you’ll need to begin with coarser compound buffing pads and then work your way to polishing and waxing. This is especially true for black and dark-colored cars where scratches are more easily seen.
One buffing pad will suffice. Realistically, though, you’ll want to invest in a cutting pad, a polishing pad, and a waxing pad, all six to six and a half inches. We recommend you stock your buffing cabinet with these three basic pads to start out.
Removing compound is easiest when it’s wet. Directly after you have finished with a buffing pad, place it in a bucket of hot soapy water. The soap can be your car wash soap or a simple dish soap you’d find at your local grocery store. Agitate the pads with your fingers to remove the stubborn compound and allow it to air dry before using it again.
Buffing machines are meant to create the heat and friction necessary to activate the compound, whether you’re compounding, polishing, or waxing. That’s why you can adjust the RPMs manually. The only pressure you need to apply is enough to maintain constant and consistent pressure across the surface of the pad. It’s about the same amount of pressure required to hold a pencil or press a button.
This is something we advise only professionals or those with a few years of experience under their belt should do. You may end up damaging the paint, your pad, and/or your machine if you don’t use the proper combination.
Yes, it’s best to get rid of the compound when it’s wet, either on the car or on your buffing pads (or on you). Water on a microfiber cloth works well for door jambs, but it’s best to use a soft microfiber cloth that’s been conditioned with a bit of spray wax. It’s less likely to scratch your just-buffed paint while still removing built-up compound.
TCP Global’s 8 Inch Buffing Kit with 6 Pads and Backing Plate is our best overall pick because of the value and utility the whole package offers for the price. The Chemical Guys 6.5 Inch Buffing Sampler Kit is our budget pick. With three pads and a bottle of cleaner, all you need is the dual-action or rotary polisher to start.
