Polishing pads for headlight restoration

Headlight polishing pads are chosen according to the work step. A hard (cutting) pad in compact foam is used with the compound for scratch correction. A medium (polishing) pad goes with the polish to refine the surface. A soft (finishing) pad in soft foam is used for the final buffing. The recommended diameter for headlights is 75 mm (3 inches), suited to the size of the lenses. Honeycomb pads distribute the product better and prevent overheating. At AGM Vision, our pads are color-coded to easily identify their hardness.

The foam pad is the most common: it offers progressive and controlled polishing, available in several hardness levels. It is ideal for beginners, because it forgives mistakes. The microfiber pad is more aggressive: its fibers cut faster and remove deep defects in fewer passes. It also heats the surface more. For headlight restoration, the foam pad is recommended, because polycarbonate is sensitive to heat. Reserve the microfiber pad for extreme cases (very damaged headlights) and use it at low speed. AGM Vision offers both types to adapt to each situation.

A polishing pad must be cleaned regularly to remain effective. During work, use a pad brush (pad brush) to remove excess polish by spinning the polisher at low speed. After use, wash the pads in warm water with a little mild soap or a special pad cleaner. Wring them out gently, without twisting them, and let them dry in the open air. Do not put them in the dryer. A well-maintained pad lasts 20 to 50 uses. Replace a pad that has lost its shape or whose foam crumbles.

To restore two headlights using the complete method (compound + polish + finishing), plan on at least 3 different pads: a hard one for the compound, a medium one for the polish, and a soft one for the finishing. If the headlights are very cloudy, an additional pad can be useful, because the hard pad quickly loads up with residue. Each 75 mm pad can treat 4 to 6 headlights before showing signs of wear. AGM Vision offers assorted pad sets (3 to 5 pieces) that cover all the steps at an advantageous price.

For headlights, a 75 mm (3 inches) pad is ideal: it matches the size of the lenses and allows you to work with precision without going over onto the bodywork. For the bodywork, 125 mm (5 inches) or 150 mm (6 inches) pads cover a larger surface and speed up the work. The polisher’s backing plate must match the pad diameter. Some polishers accept multiple interchangeable backing plate sizes. AGM Vision recommends having at least two sets of pads (75 mm and 125 mm) to cover all detailing needs.