The advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular foam pads on the market today

Waffle pads

Pro’s

These provide a smoother feel during polishing as they glide over the surface and create airflow as only the hills of the foam are touching the surface unless more pressure is utilised.

They run cooler than flat foam pads due to the airflow between the hills and valleys of the foam

Less product slinging across the panel and onto adjacent panels in most cases

Allows you to run over body lines and edges better than a flat pad but it is still better to stay off of edges and sharp body lines as they are so thin.

Con’s

Requires the use of pressure to utilise all of the foam’s surface area so if not using some pressure there is a possibility of having somewhat less defect removal performance as only the hills of the pad are being used not the valleys. The amount of surface area that a pad has massively effects how much ability it has to remove paint defects. This is why wool works so well as there are so many fibers scrubbing the surface at the same time, way more than a foam.

Most waffle pads are circular disc shaped and it’s not possible to create a variety of edge profiles from the foam due to the machine used to cut the foam slabstock that’s fifty to sixty metres long and up to one point three meters high into waffle pads. Maybe one day we can have a waffle pad with a universal edge profile that suits all three types of polishing machines

SPIDER PADS

Pro’s

The squares cut into the foam increases the pad’s surface area which somewhat increases cut rate and improves residue control.

Manufacturers claim better endurance of the abrasive in compounds and polishes than with flat pads

Higher air circulation so some reduction in heat whilst polishing may be possible so increase machine speed without creating as much heat as flat pads due to the calibrated foam design is one advantage.

Con’s

A slight possibility of leaving marring or hologramming in some paints with forced rotation polishers due to paint residue getting trapped in the gaps between the squares (rare but happened to me two times in testing)

Not adopted by all manufacturers only a few but you can cut your own spider pad designs from flat pads yourself with a mini cnc machine or by hand

The main manufacturer of spider pads does not do the spider pad design in three inch or 80/90 mm sized pads only the larger five and six inch

FLAT PADS

**The PAD KING FLAT PAD RANGE - We will be doing waffle, spider plus DRC and other evolutionary updates soon**

Pro’s

Almost every manufacturer makes flat pads so they are readily available

They work well and available in numerous edge profiles like rounded edge, cone, straight trimmed edges, bevelled edge, UFO and more.

Closed cell flat pads work more efficiently than open cell versions due to keeping the product on the face of the pad and not soaking into the foam and down to the bottom of it which can lead to velcro adhesive failure from the solvents in some products breaking down the adhesive’s bond causing delamination of the velcro from the foam

Con’s

The flat pad if it lacks or loses lubrication can get grabby and the machine starts fighting you. A waffle pad or spider pad won’t suffer from this problem or far less.

Closed cell flat foams won’t last as long as open cell due to heat soak as the foam pores act like closed windows in a house to trap in heat which can build up and soften the foam quicker if worked hard enough.

In addition, the tool needs to be perfectly parallel with the surface that’s getting polished. Waffle pads are a bit more forgiving in this area

Flat pads generate a little more heat than a waffle.

CCS (Collapsed/closed cell structure) pads

Pro’s/Claims

The claim is that collapsed cell structure closed cell pockets gradually release polish as needed by the operator

Less pad skipping as the CCS pockets reduce surface tension allowing the operator to run pad flat on working surface easier

Dual layer design reduces lateral/horizontal movement, resulting in a reduction of friction inside the pad which increases durability by eliminating excessive heat and reducing foam wear

Can put polish in the CCS holes if you wish and use pressure then release it to squeeze more out of them - at least that’s what I have done before when I had CCS pads.

Con’s

CCS Pockets in my opinion don’t go deep enough into the foam and with aggressive cutting and polishing methods over time the foam can wear down to the bottom of the collapsed closed cells and effectively it becomes a flat pad. It takes time for it to happen but has happened over the decades from my own experience.

The CCS was introduced as a way of achieving similar results to a waffle pad because 3M had invented the waffle pad previously and were the only ones for a long time who could sell them as they were patented by 3M

These are only available from Lake Country as their a patented design.

I have never experienced having much polish being released from the pad - the only purpose CCS serves in my opinion is reduced surface tension and having 50% of the pad being closed cell and the rest open cell so an ideal combination of both types.

Quantum Hex Logic Pads

Pro’s/Claims

Improved coefficient of friction

Claim by Chemical Guys to be the most efficient polishing pads on the market

Quantum Physics design maximizes surface contact, reduces and disperses heat, and reduces wear and tear on machine and pad
Race Face tapered profile increases pad surface area and stability while reducing wear and tear from heavy-handed polishing techniques
Precision Port vent hole releases heat and reduces stress from the center of the pad
Breathable backing attachment conducts airflow and heat more efficiently than older pads
Hex-Logic surface grooves spread product evenly and conform pad to contoured surfaces
Improved adhesives and manufacturing techniques ensures a strong bond that will not detach backing attachment from foam pad

Con’s

Hex Logic pads in the past were not the highest quality foams. USA made filter foams were used by many brands and are inferior to European pre polymer ester or ether based polyurethane foams.

I was never really sold on the Hex Logic concept. For a pad with more surface area than any other, a tufted foam from Lake Country that looks like a foam version of a wool pad is the one you would want but they are difficult to manufacture and may not be available anymore. I will attempt to get them made or a shredded foam made for insane cut and finish if it can be done.

Foam Pad Pro’s & Con’s

The advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular foam pads on the market today

Waffle pads

Pro’s

These provide a smoother feel during polishing as they glide over the surface and create airflow as only the hills of the foam are touching the surface unless more pressure is utilised.

They run cooler than flat foam pads due to the airflow between the hills and valleys of the foam

Less product slinging across the panel and onto adjacent panels in most cases

Allows you to run over body lines and edges better than a flat pad but it is still better to stay off of edges and sharp body lines as they are so thin.

Con’s

SPIDER PADS

Pro’s

The squares cut into the foam increases the pad’s surface area which somewhat increases cut rate and improves residue control.

Manufacturers claim better endurance of the abrasive in compounds and polishes than with flat pads

Higher air circulation so some reduction in heat whilst polishing may be possible so increase machine speed without creating as much heat as flat pads due to the calibrated foam design is one advantage.

Con’s

A slight possibility of leaving marring or hologramming in some paints with forced rotation polishers due to paint residue getting trapped in the gaps between the squares (rare but happened to me two times in testing)

Not adopted by all manufacturers only a few but you can cut your own spider pad designs from flat pads yourself with a mini cnc machine or by hand

The main manufacturer of spider pads does not do the spider pad design in three inch or 80/90 mm sized pads only the larger five and six inch

FLAT PADS

Pro’s

Almost every manufacturer makes flat pads so they are readily available

They work well and available in numerous edge profiles like rounded edge, cone, straight trimmed edges, bevelled edge, UFO and more.

Con’s

The flat pad if it lacks or loses lubrication can get grabby and the machine starts fighting you. A waffle pad or spider pad won’t suffer from this problem or far less.

Closed cell flat foams won’t last as long as open cell due to heat soak as the foam pores act like closed windows in a house to trap in heat which can build up and soften the foam quicker if worked hard enough.

In addition, the tool needs to be perfectly parallel with the surface that’s getting polished. Waffle pads are a bit more forgiving in this area

Flat pads generate a little more heat than a waffle.

CCS (Collapsed/closed cell structure) pads

Pro’s/Claims

The claim is that collapsed cell structure closed cell pockets gradually release polish as needed by the operator

Less pad skipping as the CCS pockets reduce surface tension allowing the operator to run pad flat on working surface easier

Dual layer design reduces lateral/horizontal movement, resulting in a reduction of friction inside the pad which increases durability by eliminating excessive heat and reducing foam wear

Can put polish in the CCS holes if you wish and use pressure then release it to squeeze more out of them - at least that’s what I have done before when I had CCS pads.

Con’s

The CCS was introduced as a way of achieving similar results to a waffle pad because 3M had invented the waffle pad previously and were the only ones for a long time who could sell them as they were patented by 3M

These are only available from Lake Country as their a patented design.

I have never experienced having much polish being released from the pad - the only purpose CCS serves in my opinion is reduced surface tension and having 50% of the pad being closed cell and the rest open cell so an ideal combination of both types.

Quantum Hex Logic Pads

Pro’s/Claims

Improved coefficient of friction

Claim by Chemical Guys to be the most efficient polishing pads on the market

Quantum Physics design maximizes surface contact, reduces and disperses heat, and reduces wear and tear on machine and pad

Race Face tapered profile increases pad surface area and stability while reducing wear and tear from heavy-handed polishing techniques

Precision Port vent hole releases heat and reduces stress from the center of the pad

Breathable backing attachment conducts airflow and heat more efficiently than older pads

Hex-Logic surface grooves spread product evenly and conform pad to contoured surfaces

Improved adhesives and manufacturing techniques ensures a strong bond that will not detach backing attachment from foam pad

Con’s

Hex Logic pads in the past were not the highest quality foams. USA made filter foams were used by many brands and are inferior to European pre polymer ester or ether based polyurethane foams.

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