Felt Polishing Pads

Professional high-density wool felt polishing pads for final polishing of gemstones, glass, ceramic, porcelain, tile, stone, metal, plastic, and acrylic. Magnetic and velour (Hook & Loop) backing options provide versatile mounting on flat lap machines, drills, and angle grinders. Available in 6" to 24" diameters, covering everything from compact pads for detailed cabochon work to large-format pads for slab finishing. Designed for use with diamond compound, cerium oxide, tin oxide, or aluminium oxide polishing slurries.

Available Sizes & Pricing

Diameter Price Backing Options
6" $10.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
10" $17.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
12" $24.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
14" $35.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
16" $40.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
18" $75.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
20" $45.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)
24" $90.00 Magnetic / Velour (Hook & Loop)

Polishing Compound Compatibility Guide

Compound Grit / Grade Stage Best For
Diamond Compound 3,000–80,000 grit Pre-polish to mirror polish Hard gemstones (Mohs 6+): agate, quartz, jasper, sapphire
Cerium Oxide 0.3–1μm Final mirror polish Glass, optical components, softer gems (Mohs 5–7)
Tin Oxide Ultra-fine Final polish Soft stones, opal, turquoise, malachite
Aluminium Oxide 0.3–5μm Pre-polish to final polish Glass, ceramics, medium-hard gems

Compatible Applications

  • Gemstone cabochon final polishing on flat lap machines
  • Glass polishing, restoration, and scratch removal
  • Ceramic, porcelain, and tile surface finishing
  • Stone slab and countertop polishing
  • Metal, plastic, and acrylic surface buffing
  • Jewelry and lapidary bench polishing

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What polishing compound should I use with felt polishing pads for gemstones?
    A: For hard gemstones (Mohs 6+) such as agate, quartz, jasper, and sapphire, use diamond compound in the 3,000–80,000 grit range on a felt pad for pre-polish through mirror polish stages. For softer stones (Mohs 5–7) such as opal and malachite, cerium oxide or tin oxide compound on a felt pad delivers excellent final polish results without over-cutting the stone surface.
  • Q: What is the difference between magnetic and Hook & Loop (velour) backing on felt pads?
    A: Magnetic backing allows instant attachment and removal on flat lap machines equipped with magnetic quick-change plates — ideal for fast grit changes during multi-stage polishing sequences. Hook & Loop (velour) backing attaches to compatible backing plates on angle grinders, drills, and rotary tools, providing a secure grip for handheld polishing applications.
  • Q: Can felt polishing pads be used wet or dry?
    A: Felt polishing pads can be used both wet and dry. Wet use with water or polishing compound slurry is recommended for most lapidary and glass polishing applications — it reduces heat buildup, extends pad life, and improves polishing consistency. Dry use is suitable for light buffing and final finishing on metals and plastics.
  • Q: How do I clean and maintain felt polishing pads?
    A: Rinse felt pads thoroughly with clean water after each use to remove compound residue and stone debris. Allow to air dry completely before storage. Avoid mixing compounds on the same pad — dedicate separate pads to each compound type and grit stage to prevent cross-contamination. Replace pads when the felt surface becomes glazed, compressed, or heavily contaminated.
  • Q: What size felt polishing pad do I need for my flat lap machine?
    A: Match the pad diameter to your flat lap machine's platen size. Common sizes are 6" and 8" for standard lapidary flat lap machines, 10"–12" for mid-size units, and 14"–24" for large production flat laps and slab polishing machines. Always verify your machine's platen diameter before ordering.