I have used both, although not extensively, and would not say that I notice an appreciable difference between them when equipped on my Makita, tbh. I originally loaded up on the blue Hybrid wool pads for use with a Flex 3401 that I purchased, but have found the amount of cut slightly disappointing on both the Flex and a rotary. Maybe I need more time behind the wheel with them, so to speak.
Curious though: how much downward pressure are you using with the blue Hybrid wool pads when equipped on a rotary, or the 3401 for that matter, and how much product are you using per section?
Thanks for the response MattyL. I don't own a 3401 Forced Rotation polisher so my experience with the blue hybrid wool and Purple foamed wool pads are based only on my experience using them w/ the Dewalt 849x and the Flex PE-14 rotary polishers.
Personally, I think on a perfectly flat panel most microfiber cutting pads paired with a rupes or griots long-throw polisher will actually cut just as much if not a little bit more than the foamed wool/hybrid wool pad on a rotary polisher. But on rough correction jobs I truly believe the rotary is a little quicker for the cutting stage.
When using either the hybrid wool or the foamed wool pad, I tend to use around 1,000-1,400rpms on the rotary and I don't use much pressure. The only times I have the pad perfectly flat on a panel is when I am initially spreading the compound out across the area I am working and at the end of my section pass.
Once I've spread the product out across the panel at 600rpm with the pad face flat against the paint, I will bring my speed up to 1000-1400rpms.
I use the foamed/hybrid wool pads much like a traditional wool pad. I tilt the polisher at about a 10 degree angle to increase the amount of cut the pad can achieve which also leaves more buffer trails/holograms. Once the compound is nearly broken down or when the lubrication in the compound starts to dry up I will bring the pad back to flat for my last pass. Generally I would say I use no more than 5-10 pounds of pressure
How much product I use depends on the paint and the compound. I like using M100 for medium & hard paints. I think it's about the best bang for your buck compound on the market. Although it's a great value, I do tend to use a little more product than I do with other compounds. (approximately 3 nickle size drops)
One compound that I've really begun to love with these pads is Jescar Correcting Compound. I don't think it cuts as much as M100, but the lubricity of this compound makes it one of the best compounds I've used on the rotary. The Last Cut Compounding Glaze made by Jace Price has to take the cake for the best compound for rotary and foamed/hybrid wool pads. With both of the compound they are so lubricated that I can use 3 dime sized or slightly smaller drops for my working product. That said, the abrasives in both compounds start to diminish very quickly so unlike with M100, you really have to spread the product out evenly across your working area prior to turning the polisher up to your working speed if you want to get the best results.
If I'm removing sanding marks, I generally step up to the new LC Lambswool pad paired with either M101 or Menzerna SHC300