I did what felt like a fairly extensive search for an answer to this question before posting this and I was not able to come across very much solid information.
I own what might be considered a medium sized mobile auto detailing business. I have 5 detailers who work for me servicing the Washington DC Metropolitan area. I try to use products that are both simple and effective in order to eliminate complications and errors.
I have not been able to find a polishing pad solution that I am totally happy with and/or confident that it is the best solution.
For a while I used the velcro backing plates with some nice, durable velcro pads. The problem with these is that the backing plates, which are kind of expensive, would stop sticking to the pads after a while. I think the reason for this is because gunk would build up on the backing plate. I tried several cleaners and was not able to remove the gunk, maybe a pressure washer?
Next, I briefly tried the double-sided polishing pads with the snap-on conectors as opposed to backing plates: Sparkle Auto detailing products aftermarket accessories car cleaning product enhancers
I quit using those after a week, my detailer came back and the part of the pad that "snaps on" was so worn down that it wouldn't snap on any more. (The pads and snap-on pieces are expensive)
Lastly, I found the original OEM pads that come with the polisher on amazon.com for $7.50 each, so I'm thinking, they're not going to be as durable as other pads, but they're so cheap that I can just replace them more readily and my detailers will always have new, clean pads, they also don't even need a backing plate and connect straight to the polisher. I was right, the pads wear down and rip to pieces after about a week of use. But then when I went to re-order, they were trying to charge me $11 each instead of the $7.50.
So my question to the detailers that do a high volume of work is what polishing pad/ backing plate solution do you use? I see a lot of the velcro backing plates in pictures online. Is this what you guys use? If so, how do you keep them sticking to the pads. If not, what do you use?
Thanks!
Chris
I own what might be considered a medium sized mobile auto detailing business. I have 5 detailers who work for me servicing the Washington DC Metropolitan area. I try to use products that are both simple and effective in order to eliminate complications and errors.
I have not been able to find a polishing pad solution that I am totally happy with and/or confident that it is the best solution.
For a while I used the velcro backing plates with some nice, durable velcro pads. The problem with these is that the backing plates, which are kind of expensive, would stop sticking to the pads after a while. I think the reason for this is because gunk would build up on the backing plate. I tried several cleaners and was not able to remove the gunk, maybe a pressure washer?
Next, I briefly tried the double-sided polishing pads with the snap-on conectors as opposed to backing plates: Sparkle Auto detailing products aftermarket accessories car cleaning product enhancers
I quit using those after a week, my detailer came back and the part of the pad that "snaps on" was so worn down that it wouldn't snap on any more. (The pads and snap-on pieces are expensive)
Lastly, I found the original OEM pads that come with the polisher on amazon.com for $7.50 each, so I'm thinking, they're not going to be as durable as other pads, but they're so cheap that I can just replace them more readily and my detailers will always have new, clean pads, they also don't even need a backing plate and connect straight to the polisher. I was right, the pads wear down and rip to pieces after about a week of use. But then when I went to re-order, they were trying to charge me $11 each instead of the $7.50.
So my question to the detailers that do a high volume of work is what polishing pad/ backing plate solution do you use? I see a lot of the velcro backing plates in pictures online. Is this what you guys use? If so, how do you keep them sticking to the pads. If not, what do you use?
Thanks!
Chris
