From an article written for IDA Detail Dialogue, published December 2022
In detailing, we naturally obsess over tiny details. A smudge, fingerprint, speck or stain can and will spoil a detailer’s day since honing in on perfection is what allows us to achieve those ever-elusive ‘highest quality results.’ In our quest for detailing nirvana, small points of imperfection are magnified.
Machine polishing pads seem like simple products. It looks like you simply slice engineered foam into sheets, attach a loop backing and cut it into round discs. In reality, certain variables in the process add points of difference, however small, to the end product.
Let’s compare Lake Country Manufacturing’s SDO and HDO pad ranges. Despite using the exact same foams for cutting and polishing, the design and construction of the HDO pad is intended for detailers with more demanding work and higher performance needs.
How Are HDO Pads Different?
Why Are HDO Pads Different?
Larger-throw orbital polishers have become popular thanks to their extra cutting prowess and associated efficiency gains. Larger throw = more movement = more work done.
However, traditional single-layer foam pads can flex internally under all that movement, with the friction at the pad face acting as a kind of brake. If the foam absorbs some of the action, the polisher is trying to provide 15 or 21mm orbital movements, but the cutting/polishing face could be doing 11 or 15mm movements instead. And less movement = less work done.
With a firm interface layer and thinner ‘active’ foam, HDO pads minimize this effect. On long-throw orbital polishers, they cut and polish noticeably better than traditional pads.
Coming back full circle, this is how a seemingly minor point of difference can make a big impact. With HDO pads, shorter or fewer passes can achieve the same results, saving time and increasing efficiency so you can ultimately make more money.
The Lake County Difference
The firm backing is just one point of difference. We’ve received a lot of feedback praising Lake Country pads for their durability. That doesn’t happen by accident. It is the result of quality foam materials, loops and adhesives. There can be a surprising difference between two foams or fibers that look and feel similar.
Within our HDO line, we also have a couple of microfiber options, differentiated from the standard versions by a center hole and tapered edge. These small points of difference earmark the pads for Heavy Duty Orbital work using a larger-throw orbital polisher. The center hole promotes better pad cooling, which is necessary since the extra movement of the long-throw orbital polishers creates more heat build-up.
The tapered edge not only allows for better access in tighter areas but also makes a big difference when you start using more advanced pad-tilting techniques that offer cut and efficiency gains, not to mention cooling benefits. The extra material tapering out beneath the backing plate edge means you’ll maintain optimal contact between the fibers and paint surface if you tilt to a slight angle.
Conclusion
Let’s return to the question of this article. You need an HDO pad when:
- Efficiency is a priority
- You’re interested in getting great results without so much effort
- You want to maximize the potential of your long-throw orbital polisher
- Durability and reliability matter.
HDO pads cover the full spectrum of modern detailer’s needs, from the heavy cutting microfiber to the delicate black finishing foam. They are available in sizes from 3” to 6”. You can also opt for our CCS technology on the foam variants if you need them to hold more compound and allow longer working times.
Contact a Lake Country distributor if you are interested in HDO pads or any other products.
