Microfibre Pads

Microfibre pads have a short microfibre face on a thin foam backing. On a dual action polisher they cut faster than foam, which makes them a quick way to correct hard paint and a common choice for one-step work. The range covers Rupes DA Coarse, Fine and Ultra Fine, Lake Country microfibre cutting, polishing and one-step pads, and pads from ShineMate, ValetPro and AutoBrite.

How to choose

• Grade: coarse and cutting pads go with a compound for heavier swirls and scratches; fine and polishing pads go with a polish for light swirls or a one-step. The Rupes Ultra Fine is a finishing pad.
• Size and machine: the 80mm pads suit a mini polisher, the 130mm and 5.5 inch pads the main panels. The Lake Country HDO pads are built for long-throw DA polishers.

Good to know

• Microfibre usually leaves a light haze, most visible on dark or soft paint, so finish on Finishing Foam Pads with a finishing polish.
• The fibres clog with spent polish and paint residue: brush the pad or blow it out with an air line after every section, and wash it after the job; see Pad Cleaning.

What are microfibre cutting pads used for?

Faster correction on a dual action polisher: the short microfibre face cuts quicker than foam, which suits hard paint and one-step work. They usually leave a light haze, so the job finishes on a soft foam pad.

Related: Polishing Pads, Heavy Cut Foam Pads, One-Step Pads, Dual Action Polishers. Popular brands here: Rupes, Lake Country, ShineMate.