How to: Select the Right Pad for your Polishing Task

Nick Griot explains the different types of polishing pads and what would make one better for a certain polishing task over another. We go over differences between microfiber, wool, and foam. pad thickness, foam cell density, interface, sizes and even how to care for and clean your pads to keep them fresh and ready for your next paint correction or wax application.

[@jotighe2]

first. awesome video. this is the single most informative video on the basics of pad selction I have ever seen, and I have been looking for information like this for 6 months.

[@GriotsGarage]

W're so glad it was helpful!

[@j4pp1n3]

Thanks for making a highly educational commercial. Gotta polish a table.

[@anaphylaxis2548]

I love Griot's products. They're making all of my vehicles look great!

[@GriotsGarage]

That's what we love to hear!

[@falconking007]

Which pad to use for swirls and scratches removal in 1 step process?

[@bbdetailing9123]

Good video. The embedded aggressive chart is helpful m screenshot for future reference. Thanks guys

[@GriotsGarage]

Glad you liked it!

[@jotighe2]

Second. Nick, love your stuff, and thank you for the frequent videos. it promotes your stuff, but it really helps the people who buy it by explaining and showing how to use them. this is very very important. we cannot get this information at the store, because they are saying whatever it takes to get you to buy it. ask a simple question, and they give a 3 or 4 word answer and say, "Shall I ring up 3 for you?" they just want you to buy it, and I do not waste money like that. better to watch your video and order online, duh. your family name is on the product, so I know you stand by it, we all need a 10-minute explanation on everything, man. at least I do. I watched a year-old video with Sam in it, for the 'Complete Compound" and I wanted to know if I need to follow it with a finish polish, but he never said. you guys usually say so, so I was surprised. it is an older video, so asking there does not get a response, while this video is less than 3 months old. so, is the Complete Compound a 1-step, or should I follow it with a finisher? (BTW, you have less than 50 pads in front of you, not 70+ you state at 0:15, unless they are outside camera frame).

[@GriotsGarage]

So sorry we missed this initially, responding just in case you're still wondering! We're so glad you're loving your Griot's products and appreciate you taking the time to let us know. And truth be told, providing this education to our customers in on of our favorite parts of the job! Whether or not you'll need to a second step to follow up Complete Compound will depend on the paint, but Complete Compound can be used as a one step without a follow up step.

[@jotighe2]

@@GriotsGarage Awesome! Thank you. Picked up a G8 and went to town on it, and did not need to follow up with anything (it's good paint).

[@J1Z06]

They all look good.

[@jotighe2]

agreed. That's what makes it so hard to select the right "one"

[@jeffr7989]

Is anybody having a lot of trouble getting the pads cleaned after using the Ceramic All in One? I’ve soaked them in hot water then used the Griots pad cleaner but nothing really works to remove all of the product. Any suggestions?

[@mikebeer1567]

Are the pad colours standard across manufacturers ? I have a 2023 black kia and I live in canada so it lives with lots of snow, ice and snow brushes, this means swirls. I polished the car last year with only foam pads and didn't get the swirls out. What would you recommend, im not sure it needs cutting as it's swirls not scratches, so I need an initial pad to get the swirls out then a finishing pad Any help would be most welcome

[@jeffclarke5497]

Good info. Appreciate the ability to use English. Thanks much. (Still not going to pay for "pad cleaning solution." Sorry, not that gullible. I know "Formula 401" when I read the MSDS.)

[@jimmyccee1083]

Just bought a G8...came with orange pads, however it did not come with 2 inch pads...question...can I use a black pad on the 2 inch backing to apply wax or sealant? If not, what do I use to apply wax on a 2 inch backing plate...thx

[@GriotsGarage]

Any of our pads that are 2in can be used on a 2in backing plate. You can use a 2in black pad on a 2in backing plate. Hopefully that answers your question!

[@maxgarcia7056]

Good video, my question is can you use the same pad with different compounds before you clean them or do you have to clean them prior to using them with a different compound? Thanks

[@denisgonzalezblandon1538]

Clean them first always, good to have a few different clean ones to have them ready when changing compounds

[@mrlaw711]

These have a counter balance in the polisher, and I'd like to put a 5 or 5.5 inch plate on a 6/6.5 machine. Do you sell a basic dual action with a 5.5 on it? I don't want to buy extra BS because I'm a home DIY'er.

[@KeelanxHacks]

4th comment, love Griots Garage products!

[@GriotsGarage]

You rock!

[@mikecody9011]

The groovy surf music in the background is really distracting.

[@jotighe2]

although that is true, it adds shine to the finished product! but seriously though, video b-rolls give me a headache when I'm trying to focus on content. so I do simpathize. one solution I found is to turn off the sound (or turn it way down) and use subtitles.

[@stephenwhitehead21]

Very informative thank you. However, the person who decided that you need background music for this video should have a kick up the ****

[@Amor1990]

Apologies for being a smart azz, but I count 48 pads, not 70+

[@r8wperformance163]

I count 46 pads…..just sayin 😊 Great video!

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@barbeychris2636]

Used it for the first time last weekend definitely worth buying if you're a person who likes detailing your own car recommend first time to use on lowest setting 800 so you don't burn paint don't leave in one spot keep moving it over paint easy to use kzbin.infoUgkxfzbDkCRyv3CFXnLZI4APZtRRuG2uRmP2 truck looks like new again used maguires black light battery life like all milwaukee products seem to hold up well 😀

[@Finetouchautopros]

1st

[@johnadams9044]

Why doesn't this video describe the BOSS pads? Bummer.

[@jotighe2]

totally. They've been out for more than a year before this video was made

[@jotighe2]

he does, I think, at 2:02, though not in much detail

[@jasonmacneil2256]

Too much trying to SELL, to little just telling us which pad to use at which time!

[@CC_Marauder]

How do you not include a direct link to these products? This poor decision is a horrible fail in regard to customer centric management. Yes, I WILL GO FIND WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED. No, I will not. I'll use a more customer centric aware provider. Fail 👎🏼

[@randytellez2451]

To bothersome to go to their website? SMH

[@alwinalex4137]

Cut down the music