Using wool pad for first time

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Akf75

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Hello, I have pretty good experience correcting swirls and scratches on newer cars or ones with minor issues. I recently bought a used Black Lexus with pretty bad paint. Heavy swirls, some bad scratching throughout as well as strange water-spot like places. I figure it is time to learn the microfiber or wool pad process. I am nervous about taking too much clear coat off, I don't have a gauge for measuring how much is left so I can't be sure what is there. Am I just overthinking the wool pad process? I know I would follow up with pads and lighter compounds/polish after; it is just the first time so I am a bit hesitant. What is a good compound to use with a wool pad for heavy swirls and scratches for a first timer?
 
What vehicle are you doing?
Year, make, model, color?

Can you post a picture of the damage you're trying to correct....

This is a VERY broad statement but....

On a brand new vehicle the clear is roughly 50 microns thick (.002")

With a decent amount of paint damage, to get to around 90% correction, you will remove around 5-7 microns of clear.

Again, that was a very vague statement but at least it's in the ballpark
 
For wool, I have only used the Rupes yellow wool pads and 'yellow' polish with a Rupes 15 MKII, and it worked GREAT! I did not have to use a finishing polish on the red Infinity Q60 I removed the swirls on.

You will need to prime the microfiber or wool pads before using a 'fresh' pad, and clean them after each section, but both give great correction. The downside to the MF pads is they get hot, and I have found it best to rotate pads after each section. The DA wool pads run much cooler, thus allowing for working longer time and a larger work area.

I first used MF pads on a pewter Civic, with two dots of Megs M105 and one dot of D301, and it corrected the paint without needing a finishing polish as well. I had tried several foam pad and polish combinations before the MF pads and none removed the swirls.

You best bet is to do a few test spots to see how different pad/polish combinations work on this car.
 
I will try to post a picture later, but it is a 2014 Black Lexus CT 200 H. I have tried with the tradtional foam pad route, but it didn't have much effect. Which is why I am considering using a wool/microfiber pad with heavier compounds to get the paint in better condition. Then follow up of course with foam pads and polish.
 
Thanks for that! I don't have a rotary polisher, I only have a DA polisher. Can I use wool/microfiber with a DA?
 
Akf75 said:
Thanks for that! I don't have a rotary polisher, I only have a DA polisher. Can I use wool/microfiber with a DA?
Click to expand...

Absolutley, I would recommend Lake Country microfiber pads and Sonax Cutmax for compounding and Menzerna 3500 with a Buff & Shine white pads for finishing.

Might also want to look at Carpro Essence for finishing also.
 
Ok, great I will take a look at Sonax, I was thinking about using Blackfire SRC followed up with the polish with foam pads. But I am open to other products!
 
I think I will try the Sonax/Menzerna mix with foam pads first to see if that works. If not, I will go to the wool pads.
 
Akf75 said:
Hello, I have pretty good experience correcting swirls and scratches on newer cars or ones with minor issues. I recently bought a used Black Lexus with pretty bad paint. Heavy swirls, some bad scratching throughout as well as strange water-spot like places.

I figure it is time to learn the microfiber or wool pad process.

I am nervous about taking too much clear coat off, I don't have a gauge for measuring how much is left so I can't be sure what is there.

Am I just overthinking the wool pad process?

I know I would follow up with pads and lighter compounds/polish after; it is just the first time so I am a bit hesitant. What is a good compound to use with a wool pad for heavy swirls and scratches for a first timer?
Click to expand...


I'd get the SONAX Perfect Finish. You can increase the cut by using it with a wool pad or decrease the cut by using it with a foam pad.


I'd also get an orbital polisher to ensure no holograms.



:)
 
Mike Phillips said:
I'd get the SONAX Perfect Finish. You can increase the cut by using it with a wool pad or decrease the cut by using it with a foam pad.


I'd also get an orbital polisher to ensure no holograms.



:)
Click to expand...
Thanks Mike, will do. Can I try it with the DA polisher? Or will it not do the work?
 
Are you sure it needs wool? I would at least do a test spot with either of the recommended Sonax polishes and determine what pad would work. I will also say the Rupes yellow foam is great and works well with Sonax Perfect Finish. It also finished out so good with Meguiar's D300. It is all paint dependent. Let us know how it goes.
 
Good point. No I am not. I will go with the compounds and an agressive foam pad first on a test area. Then go from there, thanks everyone.
 
Akf75 said:
Thanks Mike, will do. Can I try it with the DA polisher? Or will it not do the work?
Click to expand...

While SONAX purposefully formulated Perfect Finish for use with a rotary polisher - I've used it with orbitals and no problems.

I think we're talking about two different products in this thread,


There's a product called EX 04-06

SONAX EX 04-06 250 ml.

Yes, that's it's name. --> EX 04-06


Then there is a separate product and while it has the same cut and finish it actually has the name,

Perfect Finish

Sonax Perfect Finish 4/6




Both are great products. I show them in my classes.


:)
 
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