The 3M maroon SPP pad is a surface preparation pad used to de-nib and key an existing timber floor coating before recoating. It cuts back raised grain, dust nibs and light contamination sitting in the old finish, and leaves a uniformly abraded surface for the next coat to bond to.

This is the 40cm (16in) pad, sold individually. It suits a standard 40cm rotary floor machine running a pad driver.

What it does

Cleans the hardwood floor and creates more surface area in the existing finish to promote bonding of the wood finish.

The pad is built from nylon fibres coated with resin and abrasive, so the cut stays consistent through the life of the pad rather than fading after the first few minutes. 3M states the SPP range removes floor finish using only water or a neutral cleaner, with less hazing and scratching than a sanding screen. Both points matter on a recoat: a screen that cuts too deep telegraphs through the new coat, and stripper residue left in the grain can interfere with adhesion.

Technique

Use a white pad between the driver and the maroon pad to soften the clean.
Work with water or a neutral cleaner when preparing for recoat. Leave the stripper in the cupboard.
Keep the machine moving and let the pad do the work, particularly over joins and around edges where a stationary pad will cut through the coating.
The pad is reversible. Flip it when the working face loads up rather than discarding it.
Vacuum and tack the floor before coating. Denibing generates fine dust that will show in the finish.

Machine compatibility

3M lists the SPP range for low speed rotary and automatic floor machines running between 175 and 600 rpm. A 40cm pad needs a 40cm (16in) machine and matching pad driver. Check the driver size before ordering, as 43cm (17in) machines are also common in the trade.

Other surfaces

Although CCW stocks this pad for timber recoat preparation, 3M also lists the SPP range for preparing vinyl tile, marble, terrazzo and concrete for finish application, and for removing floor finish without stripping chemicals.

Technical specifications

Product	3M Scotch-Brite SPP surface preparation pad
Colour	Maroon
Diameter	40cm (16in)
Construction	Non-woven nylon fibre coated with resin and abrasive
Machine speed	175 to 600 rpm (3M stated range for the SPP family)
Reversible	Yes
Sold as	Each
CCW SKU	AX143

Choosing the right 40cm pad

Maroon SPP (this pad) - de-nibbing and keying timber coatings before recoat.
Floor Pad Brown 40cm Dry Strip - the most aggressive of the range, for stripping.
Floor Pad Tan 40cm Polishing - dry polishing buffable finishes.
Floor Pad White 40cm Super Polish - the softest of the range, for polishing and for cushioning behind the maroon pad.

Frequently asked questions

Will this pad strip the coating off?

Not if it is used as intended. The maroon SPP pad is a preparation pad, not a stripping pad. It abrades the surface of the existing coating to give the new coat something to key into. If you need to remove a coating, the brown dry strip pad is the aggressive option.

Can I use it with a stripping chemical?

For recoat preparation, no. The point of the SPP pad is that it works with water or a neutral cleaner, which avoids leaving chemical residue that can cause adhesion failure in the new coat. 3M does list the SPP range for chemical-free finish removal.

Why put a white pad behind it?

The white pad acts as a cushion between the rigid driver and the maroon pad. It spreads the load, softens the cut and helps the pad follow a floor that is not perfectly flat. It is a long-standing technique in this trade and it is why CCW lists both pads together.

How long does a pad last?

It depends on the coating, the machine weight and how much contamination is on the floor, so we do not quote a figure. The pad is reversible, so flip it once the working face has loaded up, and replace it when the fibre has gone flat and the cut has slowed.

Will it fit my machine?

It fits a 40cm (16in) pad driver. If your machine takes a 43cm (17in) pad, this one will be undersized and will not sit correctly on the driver. Measure the driver, not the machine badge.

Is it the same as a sanding screen?

No. A screen is an open mesh coated with abrasive grit and cuts harder and less evenly. 3M positions the SPP pad as producing less hazing and scratching than screening, which is the reason most recoat operators moved to pads.

Not sure whether you need the maroon, brown, tan or white pad for the job in front of you? Call Carpet Cleaners Warehouse before you order and describe the floor and the coating. It is a two minute conversation that saves a wasted pad and, more importantly, a wasted recoat.