Pads and Bonnets... what are these??

[PPLd]

I have been reading about the pads and bonnets for the use with polishing machine from the Internet, such as Autogeek.net. However, there are something that I am not very clear about.

Right now I do not have a polishing machine with me, but I think I may get one later. I realized that there are something called Pads and Bonnets.

1. As I can see from images, pad is a round plate while bonnets are like clothing of pads. Am I right?
2. What are the exact differences between these 2 things as far as waxing/paint cleaning/polishing is involved?
3. Is it a must that I have to cover the pads with bonnets when I compound/polish/wax my car?
4. Or can I apply the wax directly onto the pad?
5. Is the mounting method of pad on different machines universal, that means, if I have a Black and Decker Random Orbital WP900 machine and some Meguiar's pads, are they going to match? Does the B&D supports changing of pads to Meguiar's products?
6. The B&D machine come with 6 inch, while Meguiar's pads are 7". Does size matters?
7. Is there any other tips on using machine?

I am sorry that the local dealer of Meguiar's here in HK only offer very limited products. We do not have access to professional line products. Therefore I may have to consider other brand polishing machine, pads and bonnets.

Your help is much appreciated!

[ziggo99]

Re: Pads and Bonnets... what are these??

I have been reading about the pads and bonnets for the use with polishing machine from the Internet, such as Autogeek.net. However, there are something that I am not very clear about.

Right now I do not have a polishing machine with me, but I think I may get one later. I realized that there are something called Pads and Bonnets.

1. As I can see from images, pad is a round plate while bonnets are like clothing of pads. Am I right?
2. What are the exact differences between these 2 things as far as waxing/paint cleaning/polishing is involved?
3. Is it a must that I have to cover the pads with bonnets when I compound/polish/wax my car?
4. Or can I apply the wax directly onto the pad?
5. Is the mounting method of pad on different machines universal, that means, if I have a Black and Decker Random Orbital WP900 machine and some Meguiar's pads, are they going to match? Does the B&D supports changing of pads to Meguiar's products?
6. The B&D machine come with 6 inch, while Meguiar's pads are 7". Does size matters?
7. Is there any other tips on using machine?

I am sorry that the local dealer of Meguiar's here in HK only offer very limited products. We do not have access to professional line products. Therefore I may have to consider other brand polishing machine, pads and bonnets.

Your help is much appreciated!

1. For the most part, yes.
2. Bonnets are used mainly for removing dried wax and paint cleaners and polishes, while the foam pads are the items applying the waxes, paint cleaners and polishes. However, you can use bonnets to apply and take off wax.
3. No, you don't have to cover your pads with bonnets. I don't think many of us use bonnets anyway.
4. Most of use apply waxes to the pad. Bonnets were more of a big deal with orbital buffers from places like Wal-Mart and such.
5. They've not going to match. The designs are too different.
6. Size matters, depending on what you're doing. Larger pads will spread out the wax quicker, but smaller pads come in hand for paint correction.
7. Slow and steady over your work area for paint correction. Nice and even coats when applying wax. Change pads/bonnets when you can if possible, to avoid having caked up product.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Pads and Bonnets... what are these??


Welcome to MOL