Choosing the Right Polishing Pads

Optimum offers a full line of Made in USA polishing pads. We are most well known for our line of waffle design foam pads. We've recently released a new line of waffle style pads with a thinner layer of foam and beveled edges. This new design offers better performance and durability on long throw DA polishers.

With every manufacturer using a seemingly different color scheme for pad firmness, aggression or cut, it can be confusing deciding which pads are best for you and the paints you'll be working on. We've tried to keep our pad lineup simple while at the same time offering options for different types of users and paints.

Save time and headaches and always do a test spot to find the best combination of polish and/or compound and pad.

Common Use Cases & Questions

I want one all round do-it-all pad. What should I use?

The best pad for this is the Optimum Dark Blue Beveled Waffle Foam Pad. This is a medium cut polishing pad perfect for one-step polishing on most paint types. The Optimum Orange Waffle Foam Pad is an alternative. It offers the same foam and cut as Dark Blue but in the original form factor of our waffle pad line. The thinner beveled design of our Dark Blue pad works better on long throw DA machines.

I want a one-step pad with a little more cut than a typical medium orange pad but I still want a good finish without performing multiple steps. What should I use?

The new Optimum Yellow Beveled Waffle Foam Pad is a favorite at our shop here in Memphis and among our Professional Detailer customer base. It gives a little extra cut compared to Orange and Dark Blue and finishes nearly as well. It is suitable for use on all but the softest paints.

I am Professional Detailer that wants to keep my pad lineup as simple as possible, What do you recommend?

A simple pad lineup can be accomplished with three pads. To cover the work needed on most vehicles you'll need a cutting pad, one-step polishing pad, and a finishing pad. A Professional Detailer can produce great results with the Optimum Hyper Wool, Optimum Dark Blue Beveled Waffle Foam Pad and the Optimum Black Waffle Foam Pad.  This gives you options to produce great work on most paints.

What is the difference between the Optimum Dark Blue Beveled Waffle Foam and Optimum Orange Waffle Foam Medium Polishing Pads?

These pads use the same foam, have the same cut and offer the same level of finish. The difference is in the pad design. The beveled design of the Dark Blue and Yellow pads is our latest design. We've tightened the tolerances of the waffle depth, used a thinner layer of foam and gave the pads a beveled edge. This new design stands up better and lasts longer on long throw dual action polishers and the beveled edge gives greater access to various areas of vehicles.

What is the difference between the Optimum Yellow and Dark Blue Beveled Waffle Foam pads?

The Yellow pad is slightly firmer than the Dark Blue (and Orange) pads. It offers slightly more cut with similar finish. The Yellow pad is suitable and makes a great one-step pad for all factory paints and all but the softest repaints.

How much correction can be achieved with the Optimum Hyper Wool Pad and Optimum Hyper Compound Rev. 5?

We've tested the combination of the Optimum Hyper Wool Pad and Optimum Hyper Compound Rev. 5 down to 1000 grit sanding marks with 3-4 passes.

Why do I want the Light Blue Waffle Foam Pad compared to the Black Waffle Pad?

The Optimum Black Waffle Foam Pad is a great light polishing and finishing pad but the Light Blue pad is for fine finishing to take your finished product and gloss to the next level.

When would I want to use the White Waffle Foam Pad?

The White Waffle Foam pad is slightly less firm than Dark Blue and Orange. It works especially well on soft paints as a one-step pad.

What is better, Microfiber or Foam Pads?

Microfiber vs Foam is personal preference. Microfiber pads have slightly more cut than Foam pads. Microfiber pads may not be suitable for the softest paints. Always do a test spot.

 

The Optimum Pad System Listed from Heaviest to Lightest Cutting, Polishing & Finishing

 

Pad	Type
Optimum Hyper Wool Foam Pad	Heavy Cutting
Optimum Microfiber Cutting Pad	Medium Cutting
Optimum Microfiber Polishing Pad	Heavy Polishing
Optimum Yellow Beveled Waffle Foam Pad	Heavy Polishing
Optimum Dark Blue Beveled Waffle Foam Pad	Medium Polishing
Optimum Orange Waffle Foam Pad	Medium Polishing
Optimum White Waffle Foam Pad	Light Polishing
Optimum Black Waffle Foam Pad	Light Polishing & Finishing
Optimum Light Blue Waffle Foam Pad	Fine Finishing

 

Written by Don Paradis, Regional Manager Optimum Polymer Technologies, Inc.