Why actual OEM pads are not perfect for the enthusiast:

    First the size is wrong. OEM pads are 4 to 5-1/4 inches in diameter because they are used to remove spot blemishes, not polish entire panels. Second, the world's automakers do not wash and reuse pads. When a pad becomes worn or caked with residues, it is simply discarded. Because automakers use thousands of pads a month, pad cost is as important as pad performance. CCS technology, which keeps polish on the surface of the pad, allows the pad thickness to be reduced from 1-1/4 inches to only 7/8 inch. (Originally, a 1-1/4 inch pad thickness was set as an industry standard because it prevented residues from reaching the backing plate.) Because the pads will not be washed and the pad's life expectancy is measured in hours, a more cost effective hook and loop backing and glue can be used. The result is a highly effective pad with a limited life expectancy at a substantial cost savings, exactly what automakers need.

How we adapted this technology for the enthusiast:

    Classic Motoring Accessories worked with Lake Country Mfg. for nearly a year to adapt this OEM style of pad for enthusiast use. We changed the OEM pads in three ways:

1.  We increase the diameter of the pad to 6-1/2 inches for whole-vehicle detailing.

2.  Even at a 20% cost savings, we felt the pad should be washable and reusable. We utilized a premium grade of Velcro® brand, hook-and-loop backing. This backing will keep it's grip for years.

3.  We went with a state-of-the-art adhesive technology to attach the Velcro® brand backing to the foam pad. This glue allows the pad to be hand washed and reused over and over without fear of delaminating the backing material.

Professional results with a 20% savings in pad cost!

    These OEM-Style Pads are capable of producing the same results as our more expensive CCS pads at a substantial cost savings. That said, there are trade-offs.

Trade-offs:

    These OEM-Style, CCS pads are not as forgiving as our Hi-Gloss, 1-1/4 inch, CCS, 6-1/2 inch diameter pads. They do not have the patented Constant Pressure Technology that uses a layer of engineered, instant rebound foam between the pad and the backing plate to absorb off-axis movements while keeping the pressure of the pad on the surface constant. Tilting a 7/8 inch thick, OEM-Style pad will change the polishing pressure on the paint.

    Secondly, OEM-Style pads have a flat-cut, top edge. Our step-up, CCS, 6-1/2 inch pads have a curved outer edge for easy transitions over seams and edges. OEM-Style pads require the operator to pay a little more attention when going over seams and edges.

    In addition, OEM-Style pads bring the Hook-and-Loop backing material to the edge of the pad. This course backing material can cause scratches if it were to come into contact with a painted surface. Again, this requires the operator to pay a little more attention when working in tight spaces and around mirrors and wings. On our step-up CCS, 6-1/2 inch pads , the backing is cut back 3/8 inch from the edge to provide an extra safety margin

    Lastly, OEM-Style pads have a different "feel." While this is subjective and does not effect pad performance, these pads are not as "cushy" feeling.

Bottom Line

    These are high-performance pads at a substantial savings. They will do everything that more expensive pads will do and are washable and reusable. I apologize for these long product descriptions but we spent a year adapting and testing these pads before we brought them to market. I know they will be cloned by competitors using inferior foams, backing and glues. They'll be touted as the latest advancement in polishing without any mention of draw-backs or trade-offs. I feel it's important that our customers understand what goes into our pads and the trade-offs involved in bringing a less expensive product to market.

    Different machines require different backing plates. Dual-action polishers like the Porter Cable 7424 and 7336 require a plate with a 5/16-24 threaded shaft. This is our part number FBP-6DA.

    Professional circular polishers require a plate with a 5/8-11 receptacle. This is our part number FBP-6C.

 Note: Different machines require
different backing plates.

    Note #1:  The 6-1/4 inch backing plate that comes on the Porter Cable 7428 will work with these pads but we do not recommend using the 6-1/2 inch backing plate that comes on the Makita 9227.

    Note #2: Our 6 inch circular backing plate #FBP-6C has a centering plug. Our testing has determined that these OEM-style pads can be used directly on top of the centering plug without affecting the pad's performance. That said, you can remove the centering plug by prying it out with a screwdriver if you feel more comfortable using a completely flat backing plate.

The pads below are listed in order of aggressiveness:

Yellow - Heavy Cut - best for removing deeper scratches or heavy
                                    oxidation. This pad may dull, or haze the
                                    surface.

Orange - Medium to Heavy Cut - 90% of the cutting power of the yellow
                                                         pad but finishes like a polishing pad
                                                         with minimum haze. Always try this
                                                         pad first before using the yellow pad
                                                         to remove deeper swirls & scratches.

White - Mild Cut - The most often used pad. Use for polishing to restore
                                gloss, remove light oxidation and fine swirls. 

Green - Mild Cut - Great for removing light swirls yet finishes to
                                a high gloss. Excellent on German paints and for
                                applying one-step, polish/sealants.

Black - No Cut - A glazing/finessing pad. Perfect  for removing
                             holograms and micro marring defects

Red - No Cut - A final Glazing/Finessing/Finishing pad. Use this pad to
                          apply your favorite glaze, sealant or wax.

Gold - No Cut - A Concours finishing pad. The softest pad available for
                          any final process.

Here's a guide to help you select the correct pad for your needs:

    Use this pad with caution. Compounding can dull the surface (called compounding haze) which will require additional finish polishing to remove.

     After compounding, go over the surface with Menzerna Final Polish II using the white polishing pad. This will restore surface gloss and prepare the paint for glazing or waxing.

NOTE: This OEM-Style Yellow foam is softer than the the Yellow Foam used in our standard 6-1/2 inch and 7-1/2 inch pads that are 1-1/4 inches thick. Being an OEM pad, this yellow foam is designed for use on new or fresh paints. Our Standard 6-1/2 inch and 7-1/2 inch yellow cutting pads are made with a courser foam for abrading older, fully cured paintwork. All of the other colors of OEM-Style foam listed below are the same foams as used in our standard 6-1/2 and 7-1/2 inch, CCS, Constant Pressure Pads. Only the yellow foam is different.

    Compounding and polishing pads can "cake-up" with residues reducing their effectiveness. If you don't want to stop in the middle of polishing to clean pads, plan on using 2 or 3 pads to polish the average car.

    Use this pad on painted surfaces with Menzerna Intensive Polish to remove 2000 grit swirls and defects with minimal or no surface dullness or with Menzerna Final Polish II to remove finer swirls.

    Use this Hi-Gloss White Polishing Pad with Menzerna Intensive Polish to remove deeper swirls and with Menzerna Final Polish II  or BLACKFIRE Gloss Enhancing Polish to maximize surface gloss. 

    This is the best pad for applying one-step, polish/sealants like Menzerna Acrylic Jacket,  Klasse All-In-One and Autoglym Super Resin Polish when using a D-A polisher.

    Use this Hi-Gloss Black Glazing Pad to apply Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze.

6.5 inch, Red, CCS, OEM-Style, Glazing/Finessing/Finishing Pad - This red, glazing/finessing/finishing pad has almost no cutting polishing power but is softer than the black pad. It should be used to apply a glaze or a finessing polish.

    Some detailers and body shops use both a machine polish and a glaze. Having two colors of glazing pads allows them to dedicate a specific color pad for a specific product to avoid cross contamination..