3M 150 mm Pads

3M updated and simplified their automotive polishing pad line up a couple of years ago, matching new foams (compounding, polishing, finishing) to new polishes (Fast Cut Plus, Extra Fine Compound, Ultrafina SE) under one colour coordinated paint rectification scheme (Green, Yellow, Blue). We were avid users of these pads until Lake Country recently released their new Rotary H-T pad line, at which point we switched over thinking we would never look back (because we like the performance characteristics of the pre-polymer Rotary H-T foams better). Truth be told, we haven't yet looked back, but many of you have told us that you still like to use the colour coordinated 3M pads and polishes so we have decided to keep them in the store for you.

3M 150 mm Pads are manufactured using ultra high quality European foams, and have been specifically designed for compounding, polishing and finishing all forms of modern paint systems. The firm pre-polymer compounding foam used for the fast cut pad is non-reticulated, and thus offers a high degree of mechanical cut, while the remaining pads all utilise softer thermally reticulated foams with an open cell structure, which allows air to circulate through the pads and thus reduce heat build-up caused by friction. Equally suitable for use with both rotary and dual action machine polishers, all of the 3M 150 mm Pads feature a durable hook and loop fastening material that enables easy pad exchanges. Three different grades of pad are available in the range.

General usage notes: (i) always select the least aggressive pad you think you will need to achieve the desired result, and step up one grade at a time if more cut is required (ii) always ensure that you centre each pad properly on the backing plate (this can take several attempts to get right, but is vital if the machine is to remain perfectly balanced during use); (iii) always use an appropriate sized pad for the backing plate you are using (the pad should always protrude past the edge of the backing plate, never the other way around); (iv) always ensure that excess polish residue on the face of the pad is brushed off regularly during use using a Meguiar’s Triple Duty Detailing Brush (failure to follow this advice can lead to micromarring of the finish, so don’t be lazy!); (v) after use, soak each pad in a bucket of Lake Country Snappy Pad Cleaner solution for 15 minutes and then rinse under fresh running water (using your fingertips to massage out any remaining polish residue) and allow to dry naturally, and; (vi) whilst not in use, store in a dry, dust-free environment (lidded plastic storage boxes are ideal in this respect).