How much product do you apply to the pads?

[z400]

Reason being is because I noticed that I marred the paint a tad on my moms white bmw 7 series using #80 with a green sonus pad with my PC.



Do you guys put product ALL the way to the edge of the pad? And what causes marring?



I saw this picture of some pads today and only noticed the majority of the product in the middle.



Also, I hear #83 can be hard to apply which scares me since Im scared of doing more damage..Should I go with PB SSR2.5?

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Marring with #80? Never heard of it. #80 is a pretty mild product, and has diminishing abrasives. Maybe you just didnt work it long enough? Marring is microscratching. Its actually miniscule scratches, usually as a result of using an abrasive product to reduce larger swirls and/scratches. When using very abrasive products, its usually known prior to applications, what to expect, or you shouldnt be using it. I dont believe a green pad with #80 would be a culprit here. Maybe the pad have debris in it, but theres no way in my book, 80 would do that, especially on white!



As for amt of product on a pad, I usually apply at 12-3-6-12 oclock patterns, about the size of a dime at first, until the pad is seasoned. Then periodocally apply additional product as the pad tells me to. It should be obvious when your not using product, and only using pad. It very important to have the product there as a lubricant.

 

[z400]

Hmm, maybe I didn't notice the marring before hand then. White does hide things very well...Could it be from after using #80 as well? Maybe from my microfiber towels? Thx!