Having an auto body back round I'm used to using a 8-9" pad for buffing. Now that I have been looking around on here I'm noticing a lot of detailers use a 5.5-6" pad to polish with on a rotary. So my question? Why woud you use a smaller pad when a bigger pad could cover more area? I get using a smaller pad for tight areas would work nice but wouldn't you also be taking a higher chance on burning edge's since the pad is smaller it would be getting the area your working hotter increasing the chance of burning the paint? Thanks, Ian
Actually the smaller pad is moving slower than a larger pad, so the bigger pad has the greater chance of burning the paint. Some like smaller pads and some like larger ones. I prefer the 3M wool pads which are 9 inch and my foam pads range from 4-7 inches. It basically all comes down to preference and what people were brought up on.
I like the smaller pads as they afford me more control and when I'm working around obstacles, its easier to see what's happening. I'll use 6.5" pads for hoods, roofs and trunklids but switch to 5.25" pads for everything else.
I agree, it comes down to personal preference. I personally prefer using smaller pads for everything...I own some of the big pads but I prefer smaller pads...:shrug: just personal preference :shrug:
