PPI Ratings

dschribs

dschribs

Active member
How much stock do you guys put in PPI Ratings for pads? I just bought some Uber pads from Detailers Domain - havent had a chance to use them as of yet. When comparing them to the LC pads, the PPI ratings don't seem to match up at all?? Uber polishing pads are 60 PPI. That would be somewhere between a LC purple comounding pad and a LC cutting pad??



Doesn't seem to make much sense to me...



LC PPI's



Pad Identification - Truth In Detailing Auto Detailing Forum



Uber PPI's



Uber Green Pad 5.5 inch polish pad
 
dschribs said:
How much stock do you guys put in PPI Ratings for pads?
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For me, PPI ratings will give you an idea of what you might expect from a pad, but it is only one consideration. It's kind of like knowing the size of an engine- if it is a 427 cubic inch small block in a Corvette, you might have an expectation of its performance, but a lot of information is lacking that could help you determine the engine's characteristics.



For instance, you could purchase two seemingly similar pads based upon their PPI rating, but one pad may have thicker walls between each pore, be made of softer material, feature a reticulated or non-reticulated foam structure (basically open or closed cell), or simply be taller (which can affect the machine's movements).



Of course, if a pad is listed as a finishing pad @100 PPI, you would suspect that it would work well with a finishing polish. That being said, it is wise to purchase only one pad if you have never tried that type before. Otherwise, you will have to ask around for recommendations based upon other people's experiences.
 
Kevin Brown said:
For me, PPI ratings will give you an idea of what you might expect from a pad, but it is only one consideration..
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Agree :xyxthumbs



Plenty of pads I'd consider rather porous still finish out quite well, even the fairly firm Griot's orange pad. Personally, I kinda *prefer* more porous polishing pads, all other factors being equal, even when just using AIOs.



And note that there are two more-gentle Uber pads too.
 
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