CMA lambswool or finger pads?

**NattyBumppo** · 10-29-2002, 09:37 AM

A few weeks ago I did a poorly maintened Explorer that had lots of water spots and spider web scratches. I used DACP and Pro`s Duz-All with a Meg`s maroon cutting pad but still had some spots and cleat coat scratches that I could not correct. Since I don`t have a rotary I can`t go to some of the heavier type products but thought a different pad type could perhaps make the difference.

So would the lambswool leveling pad with the PC and DACP do a better job at surface scratches, water spots and other imperfections than the foam cutting pad? What about the new CMA finger pads, specifically the yellow one? How safe is the lambswool pad when used with the PC? Any chance of causing rotary like burns or swirls? From the description on the CMA web site the finger pads sound like a good inbetween solution....more bite than standard foam but maybe a bit less than the lambswool.

Lastly, how does one clean the lambswool pads?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

**Brad B** · 10-29-2002, 04:51 PM

When you say "do a better job". That`s relative. It will "cut" more definitely. The skill is it the hands of the user. The wool pad on a PC is still pretty safe. I use one all the time. I have used the new finnger pad only once and am undecided. It is ok, in my opinion, and holds a lot of compound because of the many surfaces of the fingers, but I did not see a significant advantage over orange, yellow or certainly wool pads at least for my short trial. The concept is interesting and I do rather like it, just not ready to give up wool for heavier cutting and foam for smooth polishing.

As far as cleaning wool, I wash in the washer.

**shaf** · 10-29-2002, 07:56 PM

i heard you`re not supposed to wash wool pads?

**Brad B** · 10-29-2002, 10:05 PM

I`ve been doing it for years. In fact, so has the 3M rep that I just did a detailing seminar with so I guess it can`t be that bad.:nixweiss

Cold wash and spin dry on the buffer

**NattyBumppo** · 10-30-2002, 07:48 AM

Thx Brad for sharing your experience on the pads. Just to clarify, you are talking about lambswool, correct? Like the one in the CMA kit?

**Brad B** · 10-30-2002, 08:38 AM

Yes.:up

**porterdog** · 10-30-2002, 07:56 PM

Brad, since you`ve obviously been successful with the wool can you offer any tips for it`s use? I`ve had experiences similar to others posted here where the heavier nap of the pad seemed to `absorb` a significant amount of the RO motion. Any suggestions appreciated!

TIA,

Robert

**Brad B** · 10-31-2002, 09:27 AM

Very good observation. Some pads, those with too long a nap, don`t work well. I have been having most success with Porter Cable brand pads. The nap is pairly short and they don`t seem to have the problem you mention.

Keeping the buffer head moving in a wider range of motion and then repeating over the area more often will help the situation. Make sense?