Foam Pads
The features that distinguish quality foam pads; the use of various, engineered polyether polyurethane reticulated foams imported from Europe, that are specifically designed for machine compounding, polishing and buffing
Engineered refers to various levels of abrasive ability or grit number rating.
As a result of improved foam manufacturing technologies, foam pads have made great advances in performance and durability.
Like their wool counterparts, foam pads must be properly cared for to insure consistent performance. The vast majority of domestically produced foam is designed for air filtration, not machine polishing. Foams from third world countries that supply low cost foam cannot match the quality, performance and consistency of European specialty foams that are manufactured to ISO 9000 quality standards.
The pads used at the OEM level worldwide (Audi, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, GM, Porsche, VW, etc.) including those produced by 3M are all made from European foam (the majority of which is supplied by Reisgies Schaumstoffe, Global Minority Business Network (GMBN) Leverkusen, Germany) In most cases, these foams are substantially more expensive than domestic foams due to currency fluctuations, ocean shipping, and customs duty and import tariffs.
If you're looking at a modestly priced pad at your local auto parts or department store, it’s highly unlikely that they are made with quality European foam.
Foam pads perform differently from each other on the basis of how they’re constructed. Under a microscope, foam pads look like a bee’s honeycomb, small uniformly shaped cells. The smaller the cells the more densely the construction, this type of foam pad would be considered less aggressive, thus it would be considered a finishing pad.
The opposite effect takes place if the foam cells were larger, or less dense. This construction will cause the foam pad to be more aggressive as in a compounding pad. There are various grades of foam pads on either side of the aggressive or finishing scale.
If the pad is new or dry, dampen the pad's surface by misting it with water. This will aid in compound/polish dispersion. If you're working with water-based formulas, continue periodic misting throughout the task.
Wool vs. Foam
Pro –wool is faster cutting and generates less heat and therefore leaves the surface cooler, removes heavy oxidation much more efficiently than a form pad. Wool pads are easier to control compared to foam. They glide as the wool nap ‘lies down’ and will conform to vehicle body shape easily. Make certain to spur the wool fibres when it loads up with product.
Con -wool can leave micro marring (buffer trails) finish with a foam pad to remove. Don’t overwork the polish as wool will break diminishing abrasives faster than foam, the surface lubricants will dry up faster and you could end up dry buffing unless you’re careful.
An extract from one of a series of unbiased “Detailing Technical Papers” © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved.
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