Diamond smoothing pads are possibly the finest pads ever created for prepolishing. Utilizing a dense synthetic felt substrate, diamonds are resin bonded to the pad using a phenolic type resin. The advantage of this process is immediately obvious the first time you use these pads. A smoothing pad bonded with a 325 grit diamond gives you a surface that can be polished to an optical finish in very little time. "A 325 grit diamond," you say, "giving a prepolish finish?" Sure. What happens is this: the diamonds are not rigidly locked into place as they are in the electroplated diamond disks: instead, as you grind with the pad, the diamonds move around in the substrate so that a 325 grit diamond gives you a finish comparable to a 500 grit diamond, but with the durability of a 325 grit, and without the troublesome deep scratches. Due to the make-up of these pads, you can expect about a third to a quarter of the life that you get from the electroplated disks. You will most likely go through three to four smoothing pads in the lifespan of your electroplated disks, but they're more than worth it in the long run. They are also less costly in comparison. We also carry smoothing pads in a 220 grit (good for large surface pieces, before going to a 325 smoothing pad) and a 600 grit (good for lapidary work). Visit our FAQs page for usage info on these pads including the best way to break in a new smoothing pad.