The type of polishing pads you use plays a critical role in determining the outcome. Different types of pads come in handy depending on the condition of the car’s paint job.
Even though both foam and microfiber pads perform the same role, these two are made using different materials, and the ideal pad you should use depends on the finish you want to achieve.
If you are stuck choosing between microfiber and foam pads, in the article below, we are going to look at the similarities, differences, and reasons why you should consider either of the two.
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What are Microfiber Pads?
Microfiber pads are known for their ability to offer high gloss cutting. As a material, microfiber has many uses in the automotive industry.
It is used to wash cars, dry them and, in this case, assist with the application of polish over the surface of the vehicle.
Microfibers contain a lot of hairs which help the material absorb the polish quite well. This feature is responsible for microfiber’s excellent cutting abilities.
Unlike other materials, microfiber strands are very soft. This enables the pads to create a deep gloss once they are done correcting the paint. These pads come in very handy when you are dealing with either hard lacquers or deep scratches.
In the polishing pads industry, microfiber is the latest development. Comprising of superfine fibers, this pad boasts a more significant surface area that accelerates its ability to remove defects from a car surface.
Microfiber is an all-around pad and works exceptionally well in cutting and finishing a car’s paint job. These pads can give your car a considerable level of gloss.
Despite being an excellent material for a polishing pad, there is one big concern, and that is regarding its heat production.
Microfiber pads have excellent grip. Therefore, if used incorrectly, they will generate a lot of heat, which can have adverse side effects on your paint job.
When using microfiber pads, we recommend that you do not use them for extended intervals. Because of how demanding microfiber pads are, they aren’t suitable for beginners as you can easily damage your car paint.
What are Foam Pads?
Referred to by detailers as an all-around polishing pad, foam pads can be used for a wide range of paint correction uses. Foam pads are available in varying designs. T
here are soft foam pads and hard ones. Most detailers often use a combination of various foam pads to achieve better results.
The difference between soft and hard microfiber pads is that the latter removes scratches faster.
However, there is a chance of paint holograms developing when you use very aggressive microfiber pads. You have to be very careful when using hard microfiber pads.
On the other hand, soft pads have a finer cell structure, and therefore there is no risk of holograms, but it doesn’t remove scratches as fast as their counterparts do.
The unique thing about foam pads is that they create a higher level of gloss that can significantly enhance your car’s aesthetics.
As you choose which foam pad to use on your car, you must also identify the type of lacquer that the pad will be used on. Soft lacquers require a different approach than hard lacquers. This tip is also applicable when you are choosing the polishing compound.
Most foam pad brands make these products in a variety of colors. The colors are designed to indicate the level of softness or hardness of the pads.
Other than helping distinguish the level of softness, these colors indicate what each pad is good for. For instance, there are foam pads that are designed to remove deep scratches, others have higher abrasive power, and some give you extreme gloss.
Brands that make foam pads in different colors often have a chart that helps you know what each pad is good for. Another key feature of foam pads is that they can have either a closed or open-cell structure.
We are going to lean more towards the latter because it has more advantages which include facilitating the even distribution and absorption of the polishing compound on the pad, ensuring minimal heat production when polishing, and finally, making the pad fairly easy to clean.
The open cell technology is made possible using a process known as reticulating, where gas is injected into the foam and forced to detonate, thus cracking open the foam cells.
How Are They Different?
• The biggest difference between these two is that microfiber polishing pads are known for cutting, and foam pads, on the other hand, finish better. As a car owner, if you are interested in correcting your paint, go with microfiber. However, if you want that showroom finish on your car, a foam pad can help you achieve that.
• Because of microfiber’s ability to produce a lot of heat, they are ideal for experienced detailers. Foam pads, on the other hand, can be used by anyone irrespective of their skill level.
• Foam pads are easier to clean than microfiber pads. The open cell technology of foam pads doesn’t just help in the absorption of polish. It also makes it easier to clean the compound from the pad. Microfiber pads contain many strands of hair that absorb the product well but are not very easy to clean.
• If you are working on oxidized paint, foam pads are the ideal choice.
• Between the two, microfiber pads work better in corners and emblems.
• They differ in structure. Microfiber pads comprise many hairs on which the compound holds. Foam pads incorporate an open cell structure that minimizes heat production and even absorption of polish.
How Are They Similar?
Both pads;
• Will help you polish your car. At the end of the day, whether you go with foam or microfiber pads, your vehicle will be well-polished. The pad you decide to use will depend on the result you are interested in achieving.
• Are great at absorbing the polishing compound. Irrespective of having different structures, both pads absorb the product evenly, and this ensures proper application of the polishing compound onto the surface of your vehicle.
What’s Better about Microfiber Pads?
Anyone who comes across the term microfiber in the auto industry quickly rushes to think of a soft material perfect for washing cars.
Even though that is true, microfiber is an excellent material to use for polishing cars. You will be surprised to discover that many detailers prefer microfiber over wool and foam pads.
There are plenty of quality features of microfiber pads. First, they get the job done faster than most average pads.
They enhance gloss, something that is made possible by the many strands of fiber that absorb polish and spread it evenly on your car surface.
Microfiber pads are known for their excellent cutting ability. Therefore if it’s paint correction you are after, look no further than microfiber pads.
Not all microfiber pads are built equally. Despite being an all-around pad, its quality heavily depends on where you source it from.
One of the key highlights of a microfiber pad is that it is a multi-tasker. You can use it to cut, polish, and finish paint. Microfiber pads do not finish paint better than foam pads, however.
Secondly, microfiber pads are machine-compatible. This ensures that you can polish the car in a fraction of the time you would have taken doing it by hand.
A word of caution when using a microfiber pad on a machine; be very careful. Do not apply extra pressure and don’t work on one area for too long, as that will lead to heat production.
And finally, a microfiber pad is very easy to use and makes the process of polishing your car simpler and shorter.
What’s Better about Foam Pads?
The main benefit that makes foam pads stand out is their ability to give your car a showroom-like finish. Out of the different polishing pads that exist, none comes close to foam pads in giving your car a superb finish.
Foam pads are available in different hardness levels. You can get the softer or harder ones depending on the polishing result you want to achieve.
They are machine-compatible and easy to clean. You, therefore, don’t have to spend hours polishing your vehicle by hand. Foam pads offer a wide range of paint correction services.
And they work very well on oxidized paint. Even though they are popular for giving your vehicle a smoother and better finish, these are all-around pads. You can use them for cutting as well as refining the look of your car.
Who Should Get Microfiber Pads and Why?
We recommend microfiber pads to professional detailers or car owners who have enough experience with polishing.
These pads are great at correcting paint, and as a result, they work better on cars whose paint job is in terrible condition.
Other than being very effective at cutting, they can produce a lot of heat when used incorrectly. This is why we are recommending them to folks who are familiar with the art of polishing.
Who Should Get Foam Pads?
Being an all-around polishing pad, foam pads can be used by anyone irrespective of your skill level. They, however, appeal more to individuals who have a thing for enhancing the finish or gloss of their vehicles.