You will need a rotary backing plate to attach Lake Country pads to your circular polisher. Lake Country pads and the backing plates listed here have Velcro brand hook & loop fasteners. You will see it described simply as "hook & loop" on pads and backing plates with this feature.  Choose from a 6 inch or 7 inch backing plate:

• Rotary 6 inch Hook and Loop Flexible Backing Plate:
  Use the 6 inch plate with the 7.5 inch pads. It fits perfectly within the pads' raised lip.

   

• Rotary 7 inch Hook and Loop Flexible Backing Plate:
  Use the 7 inch plate with the 8.5 inch pads. Again, the plate fits within the raised lip of the pad.

	Yellow Cutting Foams- Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the  paint until it is smooth.
	Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.
	White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so its perfect for pre-wax cleaners.
	Coarse Green Cutting/Polishing - This foam is of medium density with the ability to level very fine scratches and very light oxidation. Use light swirl removers with this pad. Note: This is a different green foam than the 6.5 inch green pad. This pad is coarser.
	Gray Finishing Foam  - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.
	Blue Finessing Foam – Flat pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.
	Red UltraSoft Foam - This soft, imported foam is ideal for applying the final coat of wax or sealant. The foam works especially well when applying liquid waxes or sealants because it is firm enough to keep the majority of the product on the paint, rather than soaking it up. The red foam has no cut or cleaning ability.

How do I polish out swirls and scratches?

The following is a general guide to polishing. It will take you from compounding to polishing to finishing. If your paint problems do not require compounding, skip to polishing. If you’re not sure, start with polishing. Always take the least aggressive approach first! If you don’t get the desired results from polishing, then use a swirl remover and light cutting pad.

The pads pictured at the beginning of each section indicate what pads can be used to perform the job described.

Please note: Deep scratches and swirls, and severe oxidation will require compounding with a circular polisher. If you are inexperienced with this type of polisher, consult a professional. If your fingernail catches the scratch or swirl, it will require painting and must be repaired by a professional.

I. Compounding & Swirl Removal

Compounding involves using the most aggressive type of swirl remover, called a compound. Swirl removers can range from light to heavy. The application is the same.

1. Choose an orange light cutting pad and a swirl remover such as Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover 3.0 or XMT Intermediate Swirl Remover #3. Heavy oxidation may require XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover #4, which is an aggressive polishing compound.

2. Apply a bead of swirl remover around the edge of  the pad. Some will say apply a quarter size amount. You can even apply it directly to the paint. Ultimately you're going to spread it around so how the swirl remover gets on the paint is up to you. Spread the swirl remover over a small section  (about 2 x 2 sq. ft.) with the polisher turned off to prevent sling.

3. Set the maximum speed at 1500 RPM. Turn the polisher on and work the swirl remover in a side to side, overlapping motion. Move slowly to give the abrasives time to work. KEEP THE POLISHER MOVING AT ALL TIMES.

4. When the swirl remover turns to a transparent film, the abrasives have broken down. Turn off the machine and lift it off the paint. Buff away the residue with a soft, Cobra Microfiber Towel and inspect your results. If you are not satisfied, repeat the process with the same product or a more aggressive compound. If you still see no results, upgrade to the yellow cutting pad. 

* If you used a compound, a light haze or dullness is normal. The next step will restore the gloss.

II. Polishing

Polishing improves the smoothness and gloss of the paint. Use a lighter grade polish, like a finishing polish or a light swirl remover,  if you’ve just compounded or if the paint just needs a boost.

1. Use the white or green polishing pad on your polisher. Apply the polish of your choice to the pad or to the paint and spread it around with the machine turned off.

2. Set the maximum speed to 1000 RPM. You're not trying to cut. You're just trying to burnish the paint to a high gloss. Work in a side to side, overlapping motion until the polish turns clear.

3. Buff with a Cobra Microfiber Towel and check your results. If you can still see some haze, repeat the process. This time, be sure that the abrasives are fully broken down before you buff.

III. Finishing

You're nearing the finish line. Just a couple more steps will make your vehicle glow.

To lock in the shine, follow up with a wax or sealant. Application of any of these products will be as follows.

1. Attach a gray or blue pad to your polisher. Apply the product to the paint or to the pad. Spread it around the paint in a 2 x 2 sq. ft. section with the polisher turned off.

2. Set the maximum speed to 1000 RPM. You do not need speed to apply nonabrasive products. Spread the product over the paint until its sufficiently covered. There are no abrasives to break down. You are just trying to get even coverage.

3. Buff off the product with a Cobra Microfiber Towel.  

Note: Because of the speed and potential heat generated by a rotary polisher, you may elect to do the finishing work by hand or with a dual action polisher. If you are comfortable using a rotary, use it at a slow speed with zero pressure. Keep the machine moving at all times. 

Detailing Tips:

• Keep the polisher moving continuously. A circular/rotary polisher will burn the paint if it is left on the same spot for more than a second or two.
• Work at a slow speed. A slower speed will reduce the heat build-up and thereby reduce the risk of burning the paint.
• Work the pad flat against the paint or with the back edge of the pad tilted very slightly upward (that's the edge closest to you). This position will help you avoid dragging the edge on the paint, which creates holograms.