3M Perfect-It Plus Ultrafina Foam Polishing Pad

IID said:
Any chance on LC offering the Waffle-Shaped pads in 5.5" ?
Click to expand...

To Pad Man from IID (Profession Detailer):
Any chance on LC offering the Waffle-Shaped pads in 5.5" and if so,can I buy them direct since AG doesn't carry them?
 
OP,
Yes there is a difference when you use the 3M Blue pad with the Ultrafina. It has special oils in it that work inconjunction with the Ultrafina, hence that is why they tell you not to wash the pad, only clean on the fly with a towel or with a brush.

I know 3M lost their patient on the "waffle" style, which is why we are seeing a bunch of companies releasing their own version.

Now I primarily use 3M pads soley. I use the white for compound, black for polish/swirl removale, and blue for jeweling. Granted the pads seem to cost more but if you shop around, you can actually find 3M pads for cheaper/same prices as the LC Waffle pads. That is why I haven't bought any of the LC pads. I use both the 4 in and 8 in 3M with my Flex PE-14.

I have rarely come across a situation where the 3 colors offered by 3M didn't work. If that happens, its usually when it comes to polishing super soft paints. For that I'll use Buff and Shine in the colors of Green, Black, or White. AG doesn't carry these yet but I wish they would. They last longer, finish better and feel better than any of the LC pads I've used in the past. Another pad by B&S I use all the time for 1step/cleaner wax is the Yellow with D151. Works wonders.

3M pads seem to cost more, but there is a difference. They work a lot better. I have used/tried a LOT (maybe over 30) different pads over the years and just tried the 3M about 5 months ago after I was doing custom detailing for a body and that's all they were using. I was simply blown away by how well they worked.

The LC waffle pads look identical to the 3M one with the addition of the orange pad. I'm guessing that this is the "3M Black" and that the LC Black is like the B&S Green/Black. (Hope that made sense).

As far as 5.5 pads, I haven't seen or heard of any being out. I'm assuming that you would want them for DA application, and I know for body shops, no one uses a DA. They all finish (or try to finish) down with rotary so there is no real need for the smaller pad.

I would rec you try the 3M and just get a feel for it. Its worth at least trying especially if your using the UltraFina finishing Polish. Its a great polish and does wonders to black paint. The only downside is I was told by my 3M rep, that it does contain fillers and was designed specficily for black paint. I've been able to chemically strip the paint and still haven't found that it covered anything/no swirls were there. I don't know how this would effect LSP coverage. I feel its kinda redundant to jewel with UF then strip it off and then apply LSP. I haven't had any problems with going straight from UF to LSP.
 
Mobile detail said:
OP,
Yes there is a difference when you use the 3M Blue pad with the Ultrafina. It has special oils in it that work inconjunction with the Ultrafina, hence that is why they tell you not to wash the pad, only clean on the fly with a towel or with a brush.
Click to expand...

Not to be argumentative, but if you review the MSDS for the pad, it does not list anything other than what it is made of, polyester foam. I'm not sure where the 'special oils' actually came from.

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSuUn_zu8l00xMxtZ48tBnv70k17zHvu9lxtD7SSSSSS--

Cleaning and storage instructions can be viewed here:

3m5733Page001.jpg
 
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It says on the bottom of your post to "Do not wring water from pad...Do not machine wash or dry...do not use soap or cleaning solvents..."

Thats interesting that nothing is mentioned in the MSDS. As far as it not containing oils, I was told by the local 3M rep that it had something specific for that pad that was in it and to not use anything other than a towel or brush to clean it.
 
That warning at the end of the cleaning instructions is a fairly standard guideline for most foam pads. The reality is that you must completely clean any pad at some point to ensure you can reach that ultra-fine finish.

As far as the statement about the pad containing oils, I would suggest you have another talk with your local rep. It sounds like he might be a little confused or misinformed about his own product offering. I have a couple of brand new 6" pads that I ordered from across the pond in my cabinet right now and I can assure you they are 100% dry, no oils.
 
I thought that this thread had died. Thanks for the added information.:xyxthumbs:
 
Mobile detail said:
OP,
Yes there is a difference when you use the 3M Blue pad with the Ultrafina. It has special oils in it that work inconjunction with the Ultrafina, hence that is why they tell you not to wash the pad, only clean on the fly with a towel or with a brush.

I know 3M lost their patient on the "waffle" style, which is why we are seeing a bunch of companies releasing their own version.

Now I primarily use 3M pads soley. I use the white for compound, black for polish/swirl removale, and blue for jeweling. Granted the pads seem to cost more but if you shop around, you can actually find 3M pads for cheaper/same prices as the LC Waffle pads. That is why I haven't bought any of the LC pads. I use both the 4 in and 8 in 3M with my Flex PE-14.

I have rarely come across a situation where the 3 colors offered by 3M didn't work. If that happens, its usually when it comes to polishing super soft paints. For that I'll use Buff and Shine in the colors of Green, Black, or White. AG doesn't carry these yet but I wish they would. They last longer, finish better and feel better than any of the LC pads I've used in the past. Another pad by B&S I use all the time for 1step/cleaner wax is the Yellow with D151. Works wonders.

3M pads seem to cost more, but there is a difference. They work a lot better. I have used/tried a LOT (maybe over 30) different pads over the years and just tried the 3M about 5 months ago after I was doing custom detailing for a body and that's all they were using. I was simply blown away by how well they worked.

The LC waffle pads look identical to the 3M one with the addition of the orange pad. I'm guessing that this is the "3M Black" and that the LC Black is like the B&S Green/Black. (Hope that made sense).

As far as 5.5 pads, I haven't seen or heard of any being out. I'm assuming that you would want them for DA application, and I know for body shops, no one uses a DA. They all finish (or try to finish) down with rotary so there is no real need for the smaller pad.

I would rec you try the 3M and just get a feel for it. Its worth at least trying especially if your using the UltraFina finishing Polish. Its a great polish and does wonders to black paint. The only downside is I was told by my 3M rep, that it does contain fillers and was designed specficily for black paint. I've been able to chemically strip the paint and still haven't found that it covered anything/no swirls were there. I don't know how this would effect LSP coverage. I feel its kinda redundant to jewel with UF then strip it off and then apply LSP. I haven't had any problems with going straight from UF to LSP.
Click to expand...



may I ask where you get your information? You posted a couple of incorrect statements.
 
From my experience the wafle pads swirl less. I wouldn't use anything else on a rotary last polish. I"ve use perfect it foam polishing pad glaze dark for many years on a soft flattened black. If you want rotary it delivers top results in one step followed by a high emolient wax. The problem with perfect it on black is residue removal. 3M hand glaze milks the finish. Just bought a flex 3401 and am here to find a da system that will equal the perfect it, if that combo exists.
 
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