Resin polishing pads carry a printed or molded color used as a quick sort signal across the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 and 3000 grit sequence. The code shortens pad changes on site, but color alone is not a spec: shades vary between brands, and the stamped grit number stays the controlling value.

This guide serves factories, dealers and procurement teams stocking resin pads for concrete polishing, terrazzo and stone restoration. It maps color to grit order, places the resin after metal-bond grinding, and lists pad life, wear signs, stock and compatibility checks.

What the Color Code Does and Does Not Prove

Pad colors act as a shop-floor sorting aid: a wet-working crew can tell a 200 grit pad from an 800 grit pad at arm's length, shortening change time and lowering the risk of skipping a grit step. The code is strongest within one supplier's line, fixed across batches.

It does not prove grit size, resin hardness or bond quality: two brands may share a shade for different grits. Write down the stamped grit number on the pad center and backer, since color is a label, not the spec. Keep polishing pads separate from scrubbing and stripping pads that remove sealer as consumables.

Standard Color to Grit Mapping

The table below follows the common international wet resin pad sequence from 100 to 3000 grit. Treat colors as the typical code and verify every lot against the stamped grit; if a supplier's shade differs, sort by the grit number on the pad.

Where the Resin Sequence Follows Metal-Bond Grinding

Resin pads do not start on a rough slab. Before the first 100 grit pad, metal-bond grinding with 16, 20, 30 and 40 grit blocks opens the profile and removes saw or trowel marks; the resin stage then refines the scratch pattern left by the last metal block.

Skip a grit and the previous scratches cannot be lifted: dragging an 800 grit pad over a 200 grit surface smears the resin and loads the pad. Run each pass wet or under controlled dust, keeping the surface between 10 and 30 ℃ and within the 75 to 80% RH limit. Densifier sits between coarse and resin stages, mixed 1:64 (about 15 ml/L) or 1:128 (about 8 ml/L) per label.

Pad Life, Wear Signs and When to Change

Resin pad life is read per grit on the area finished. Coarse 100 to 400 grit pads typically cover 40 to 80 m² per pad on a normal floor; fine 800 to 3000 grit pads cover 60 to 120 m², because they remove little material and carry a thinner working layer.

Change a pad on one of three signs: the resin face loads with dark concrete buildup and loses cut; current-grit scratches fail to disappear after two to three passes; or the backing film wears through to the foam edge. A worn fine pad moved one step too late leaves haze the next pad cannot fully correct. Record finished area per color so repeats match consumption.

Pad Size, Backer and Machine Speed

Common resin pads are 100 mm (4 in) and 125 mm (5 in), 3 to 5 mm thick, with hook-and-loop backing that locks to a matching backer pad. The backer must be flat and firm; a compressed or hardened backer presses the outer edge harder and rounds the finish.

Speed bands split by stage. Coarse 100 to 400 grit passes run on planetary or single-head machines at 300 to 1,500 rpm under normal head weight. Fine 1500 and 3000 grit passes finish on high-speed burnishers at 1,500 to 3,000 rpm; too low a speed leaves dull reflection, too high burns the face. Match hole pattern to the machine's water or dust slots.

Stocking Levels and Reorder Criteria for Dealers

• Stock 100, 200 and 400 grit deepest: they turn fastest on every polishing job and wear out first.
• Keep 800 grit as medium stock, and hold 1500 and 3000 grit in smaller lots for finish orders.
• Reorder a grit level when three active customers report the same loading or short area; that points to a lot or resin-grade issue to check.
• Keep one backer pad per diameter in stock: worn backer hooks, not the pad, are a common reason pads release mid-pass.
• Record pad diameter, backer type and machine speed per customer so a refill matches the original setup.
• Plan replacement stock on a 15 to 30 day lead cycle for imported consumables, keeping coarse grit above two active kits.

Cleaning, Storage and Compatibility Notes

Rinse used pads after each pass, face down under running water, and peel loose slurry from the resin before it dries. Let pads dry flat in a cool, dry rack; stacked wet pads fuse together and lose grip within days in humid storage. Do not reuse a pad on another grit stage; keep colors separated and label the tray by grit.

Compatibility checks cover backer hook-and-loop quality, pad thickness against the pressure setting, and water-slot alignment. Trial a new brand on a 20 to 30 m² hidden corner before a full order, checking reflection and scratch under 300 to 500 lux oblique light.

Final Check Before Approving the Pad Order

Before sign-off, confirm four points: stamped grit follows the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 and 3000 order with no skipped step; color code matches the supplier's own chart, not an assumed shade; pad diameter, backer and speed band match the machine; stocking depth follows coarse-to-fine turnover.

Check the finish against the site gloss scale: 60° gloss per area, adjacent zones within 5 gloss units accepted, differences over 15 units flagged for rework; DCOF stays at or above 0.42 on walk-on floors, with wet PTV 10 to 20 points below dry readings. Pads approved on these checks deliver a consistent scratch pattern, predictable area per pad and a refill line matching job consumption.