CCS Smart Pads Dual Action Polishing Guide

The Ultimate Detailing Machine comes with a 5 inch backing plate with Velcro® brand hook and loop fasteners.

For the Porter Cable 7424, you will need a backing plate in order to attach the foam pads onto your polisher. The backing plate has a Velcro brand hook & loop fasteners on the bottom of it to hold foam pads in place as you polish. You will see it described simply as "hook & loop" on pads and backing plates with this feature.

Backing plates for the Porter Cable 7424 are available in two sizes:

Dual Action 5 inch Flexible Hook & Loop Backing Plate: Use this plate with 5.5 inch and 6.5 inch pads.

Dual Action 6 inch Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate: Use this plate with 6.5 inch and 7.5 inch pads.

Note: We recommend using a 5 inch backing plate with 6.5 inch pads to leave a larger margin of foam between the plate and the edge of the pad. This bigger margin of error protects the vehicle from unintentional impact with the backing plate.

	Yellow Cutting Foams 6.5 inch- 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 6.5 inch- 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 6.5 inch- 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.
	Green Polishing/Finishing Foam 6.5 inch - Use this foam to apply one-step cleaner waxes. It is a balance of polishing and finishing that is perfect for all-in-one product application.
	Gray Finishing Foam 6.5 inch - 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 6.5 inch – 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.

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. The Ultimate Detailing Machine and the Porter Cable 7424 have the same speed settings so the following guide applies to both machines.

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. In the picture to the right, this is a serious case of swirls. Choose an orange light cutting pad and a swirl remover such as XMT Intermediate Swirl Remover #3.

2. Apply a circle 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 on the polisher at 5. 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.

NOTE: The Porter Cable tells you if you're applying too much pressure. The pad will stop rotating. Lighten up on the machine and let it do the work for you.

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 (like XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover #4). 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 finishing polish if you’ve just compounded or if the paint just needs a boost.

1. Use the white or green polishing pad on your Porter Cable 7424 or Ultimate Detailing Machine. 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 about 4.5. 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.

2. Set the maximum speed to 3 or 4. 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 or slip a Microfiber Bonnet over an unused pad. The bonnet is like having a microfiber towel on your polisher. Just be sure to put the bonnet over a clean pad so no products will seep through the bonnet.

Detailing Tips:

• The polisher will do the work for you. There's no need to apply pressure.
• Pad and product selection is not an exact science. The severity of the imperfections, the cut of the pad, and the aggressiveness of the product all factor into the final results. Don't be afraid to experiment.
• Start with the least aggressive method first. Go to a more aggressive pad or polish only if necessary.