👉 Commercial Floor Pad Color Guide: Red, White, Green & Black Explained
How to Choose the Right Floor Pad (Complete Color Guide)
Picking the wrong floor pad wastes labor, burns through chemicals, and can damage finished floors. This guide breaks down red vs white vs green vs black pads, plus quick guidance on 175 RPM vs 300 RPM machines.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, TTS Products earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick Color Summary
- Red: light cleaning + spray buffing (maintenance)
- White: polishing + high-gloss finishing (least aggressive)
- Green: heavy scrubbing (deep clean / prep)
- Black: stripping (finish removal / restoration)
175 RPM vs 300 RPM (What You Should Know)
175 RPM (Low Speed)
- Best for scrubbing and stripping
- More controlled on aggressive pads
- Common for green + black pads
300 RPM (Medium Speed)
- Better for polishing and gloss restoration
- Common for red + white pads
- Faster results for routine maintenance
Rule of thumb: Stripping = 175 RPM + black pad. Maintenance shine = 300 RPM + red/white.
Shop Floor Pads by Color
🔴 Red Pads
Best for: daily cleaning, light scuff removal, spray buffing, routine maintenance.
View Red Floor Pad on Amazon⚪ White Pads
Best for: polishing, finishing, high-gloss burnishing (least aggressive).
View White Pad Option A on Amazon View White Pad Option B on Amazon View White Pad Option C on Amazon🟢 Green Pads
Best for: heavy scrubbing, deep cleaning, prep before recoating.
View Green Scrubbing Pad on Amazonâš« Black Pads
Best for: stripping and finish removal (most aggressive). Use with a 175 RPM machine + stripping solution.
View Black Pad Option A on Amazon View Black Pad Option B on Amazon View Black Pad Option C on Amazon View Black Pad Option D on Amazon View Black Pad Option E on Amazon View Black Pad Option F on AmazonWhen to Strip vs When to Polish
Strip when:
- Finish is peeling or flaking
- Yellowing / heavy buildup appears
- Coats are uneven or cloudy
- Scratches won’t buff out
Polish when:
- Floors are dull but intact
- Minor scuffs need shine restored
- You’re maintaining routine gloss
- Finish is still in good shape
FAQ
Can I use black pads for routine cleaning?
No — black pads are designed for stripping and can remove floor finish quickly.
Do white pads clean floors?
White pads are for polishing/finishing. They won’t remove heavy soil effectively.
What pad should I use for VCT maintenance?
Most facilities use red for routine maintenance and white for final polishing.
© TTS Products. This guide is for general informational purposes. Always follow your flooring manufacturer’s care recommendations.