The Best Pads and Compounds to Use With a Dual Action Polisher

Post By Autozcrave || 2025-07-25

The Best Pads and Compounds to Use With a Dual Action Polisher

If you love keeping your car shiny and clean, you may have heard about a dual action polisher. It is a safe and easy tool for car owners who want to make their vehicle look new again. But using a DA polisher alone is not enough. You also need the right pads and compounds to get the best shine and remove scratches or swirl marks.

In this blog, we will explain what pads to use with a DA polisher, which compounds are best, and how to choose the right combination based on your car’s condition. Even if you're a beginner, don’t worry we’ll keep it simple and clear.

---

Why You Need the Right Pads and Compounds

The pad and compound combo you use with your DA polisher decides how well your car’s paint will look after polishing. Some combos help remove deep scratches, while others give a soft and shiny finish. The wrong combo can leave marks or waste your time.

To get the best results from car detailing polishing pads and compounds, it's important to understand which pad and which compound works for each stage: cutting, polishing, and finishing.

Different Types of Pads for DA Polishers

1. Foam Pads

Foam pads for DA polishers are very popular because they are easy to use and safe on paint. These pads come in different colours, and each colour has a different purpose.

• Cutting Foam Pads (like orange or yellow): These remove swirl marks, scratches, and oxidation.
• Polishing Foam Pads (usually white or green): These smooth out the surface and add shine.
• Finishing Foam Pads (often black or blue): These are soft and used for the final step to give a glossy look.

If you are a beginner, start with white or green foam polishing pads. They are safe and give good results.

2. Wool Pads

Wool polishing pads are stronger than foam pads. They are used for heavy paint correction. If your car has deep scratches or very dull paint, wool pads can cut through the defects quickly.

However, they are not ideal for beginners because they can create heat and may damage the paint if not used carefully.

3. Microfiber Pads

Microfiber pads are a mix of foam and wool. They cut better than foam pads but finish smoother than wool. These pads are great if you want to do one-step correction removing defects and adding shine in a single process.

Different Types of Compounds for DA Polishers

Just like pads, compounds also come in different levels from strong to gentle. Let’s look at the three main types:

1. Cutting Compounds

Cutting compounds for DA polishers are strong and help remove deep swirl marks, oxidation, and scratches. They are best used with cutting pads like wool or orange foam.

Some popular cutting compounds include Autozcrave Ultimate Compound or Menzerna Heavy Cut.

2. Polishing Compounds

Polishing compounds are softer than cutting ones. They help smooth the paint and increase shine. They are great for medium swirl marks and light scratches.

These work well with white or green foam pads or microfiber pads.

3. Finishing Polishes

Finishing polishes are very soft. They are used to give a final, deep shine and clean finish. You can use them after polishing or when your paint is already in good condition.

These pair well with black or blue foam pads.

Best Pad and Compound Combos for Different Car Conditions

Choosing the best foam and wool pads for dual action polishers along with the right compound depends on how your car’s paint looks. Here are some simple combos for common situations:

Paint Condition	Pad to Use	Compound to Use
Heavy swirl marks	Wool or Orange Foam Pad	Heavy or Medium Cut Compound
Medium scratches	Green or White Foam Pad	One-Step or Polishing Compound
Light swirls	White or Blue Foam Pad	Finishing Polish
Dull black paint	Soft Foam Finishing Pad	Gloss-enhancing Polish (no dust formula)
New to polishing	White Foam Pad	All-in-One Compound

If you want to know which compound is best for swirl removal with a DA, go for a medium cut compound with a polishing pad. It’s safe and works well on most paint types.

How to Choose the Right Combo for Your Car

If you're not sure how bad your paint is, start with a gentle combo first. Try a white polishing pad with a one step compound. If that doesn’t remove the defects, move up to a cutting compound and a stronger pad.

For black or dark colored cars, always choose a finishing pad and non dusting polish. This helps avoid haze and keeps the finish deep and clear.

Also, if you’re new to detailing, go for a beginner friendly combo of pads and compounds for detailing like:

• White foam pad + All-in-one compound

This combo is easy to control, doesn’t create dust, and gives both correction and shine.

Tips for Using Pads and Compounds with a DA Polisher

• Always prime your pad with a little compound before starting.
• Work on small sections (2x2 feet) for better control.
• Use light pressure let the DA polisher and compound do the work.
• Clean your pad after every few passes to avoid build up.
• Don’t use the same pad for different compounds. Keep your DA polisher pads separate.

With the right steps and tools, car polishing becomes easy and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Using the best pads for a dual action polisher along with the right compounds can completely change how your car looks. Foam pads are great for most car owners. Wool pads give fast results on damaged paint, and microfiber pads are perfect for quick correction.

Whether you're doing a simple shine up or full paint correction, choosing the right polishing pad guide for beginners is important. Always test a small area first, and adjust the pad and compound based on your needs.

If you're just starting out, don’t worry. Start simple and upgrade your tools as you learn. With time, you’ll understand exactly how to choose car detailing polishing pads and compounds for perfect results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the best pads for a dual action polisher?
The best pads for a dual action polisher are foam pads, especially cutting, polishing, and finishing pads. Foam pads are safe, easy to use, and perfect for both beginners and professionals.

2. Which compound is best for swirl removal with a DA polisher?
A medium cut compound works best for swirl removal. Pair it with a polishing foam pad to remove swirls without harming the clear coat.

3. Can I use the same pad for different compounds?
No, it’s best to use a separate pad for each type of compound. Mixing compounds on one pad can give poor results and damage your paint.

4. What is the best combo of pad and compound for a black car?
Use a soft foam finishing pad with a non-dusting finishing polish. This combo gives a clear, deep gloss without leaving haze.

5. Are wool pads safe for beginners?
Wool pads are powerful and remove deep scratches quickly, but they generate more heat and need more control. Foam pads are better for beginners.

6. What is the best beginner combo of pads and compounds for detailing?
Start with a white foam polishing pad and an all-in-one compound. This combo is safe, easy, and gives shine and correction in one step.

7. Can I polish my car with just one pad and one compound?
Yes, if your paint is in good condition, you can use a one-step compound with a polishing pad to clean, correct, and shine in a single step.

8. How do I know when to use a cutting pad?
Use a cutting pad when your car has deep swirl marks, scratches, or heavy oxidation. Always follow it with a polishing or finishing step.

9. Do polishing compounds expire?
Yes, most compounds last for 2–3 years. Keep them in a cool, dry place and always shake the bottle before use.

10. How many pads do I need to polish one car?
You should use at least 2–3 pads per polishing job. Clean them during use, or switch pads if they get too dirty or clogged with compound.