How many pads do you use for each step of the compounding, polish and finessing process. I'm putting a order in for new cutting MF pads and wondering how many pads I should get. Maybe 6? I know it will depend on the amount of surface area but let's just say a regular car like a Mazda 3 or maybe a Honda accord. I use to clean them every panel I did but a lot of pros say a fresh pad is better for results then cleaning out a over used one
I did a Camry awhile back 1 step and I used one pad per panel during compounding or polishing.... but that is just me. I just do not like stopping to wash a pad, so I have 5 or 6 of each color of the uber pads.
I have two of each color in 5.5" and one 4" per color. I use one until it gets caked, and I'll put the other one in the wash while I am using another. For the smaller pads, There's usually less areas for you to go over, so I will move on to the next step if I must while it's being washed off. I only detail maybe 4-6 times a year at most now. This is just my own minimalist approach.