Using D-CON Delta Pro polishing pads: which pad per step

The D-CON Delta Pro polishing pads are a set for the dual-action machine: grey (cutting) to correct deeper scratches and swirls, yellow (finishing) for the middle step, and white (final finishing) for gloss. You pick the pad that suits the step and match the polish to it. The slightly rounded edges protect trim and plastic while the pad spins.

The three pads and when to use them

The grey cutting pad is made of medium-hard foam and corrects deeper scratches and swirls together with a cutting compound. The yellow finishing pad is ultra-soft and removes the marks from the cutting step with a finer polish, also in tight spots around emblems and mirrors. The white final finishing pad is also ultra-soft and has a cooling hole in the centre for extra air circulation; use it with a wax, glaze or fine polish for deep gloss without further correction.

How to use it

Attach the pad with the hook-and-loop side to the backing plate of your dual-action machine. Pick the size that matches your backing plate, from 35 to 45 mm for small, hard-to-reach spots to 150 mm for large panel surfaces.
Start with the grey cutting pad and a cutting compound for deeper scratches and swirls. Work in sections of 60 by 60 cm, apply a few small drops of compound and spread on low speed before building up.
Switch to the yellow finishing pad with a finer polish to remove the light marks from the cutting step and refine the surface.
Finish with the white final finishing pad and a wax, glaze or fine polish for deep gloss, without correcting any further.

Pad maintenance

Clean the pad after each section with a little APC or dish soap, wet it and spin it dry on the machine. Replace the pad once it becomes saturated: a full pad works unpredictably. The cooling hole in the white pad helps prevent overheating during longer sessions. New to polishing? Read the guide on polishing your car and removing swirls first.

Which Delta Pro pad do I use for which step?

Grey (cutting) to correct deeper scratches and swirls, yellow (finishing) for the middle step with a finer polish, and white (final finishing) for gloss with a wax, glaze or fine polish.

Which pad size do I need?

Pick the size that matches your backing plate. 35 to 45 mm is handy for small, hard-to-reach spots around emblems and mirrors; 150 mm works faster on large panel surfaces.

Do I need a cutting compound with the grey pad?

Yes. The grey cutting pad does the correction work together with a cutting compound. The pad alone does not correct; it is the combination of pad and polish that levels the scratch.

Do these pads fit every polishing machine?

They are made for a dual-action machine with a hook-and-loop backing plate. Check that the pad size matches your backing plate so the pad spins nicely centred.

How do I clean the pads?

Clean them after each section with a little APC or dish soap, wet them and spin them dry on the machine. Let pads dry well after use and replace them once the foam is saturated or worn.

What is the difference between the yellow and the white pad?

Both are ultra-soft. The yellow finishing pad is for the middle step with a finer polish; the white final finishing pad is for the very last step, with a cooling hole for air circulation, and gives the deep final gloss with wax or glaze.