Question on TOL yellow cutting pad?

A

AutoNova

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Is the TOL yellow cutiing pad safe to use on clear caot surfaces? In reading the manual it says that the yellow cutiing pad should not be used for removing light to moderate oxidation and paint blemishes. Rather it says a wool leveling pad should be used. Is this correct?

Can someone explain exactly what the leveling pad is for? Is it used to take down the paint to remove moderate blemishes?



Also where is a good location to pick up a lambs wool leveling pad?
 
Hmm, interesting question...What pads are they, the 6" ones or the Lake Country ones? Either way, I'd say that they are safe for clearcoated surfaces, and probably less effective and safer than wool.



I think that they are saying that for severe problems like light to moderate oxidation and paint blemishes, a yellow foam cutting pad might not be enough.



Looking at people's results, it seems like yellow foam pads work just fine for most stuff. The difference between finishing, polishing, and cutting pads seems to be only the firmness of the pad...at least that is all I can tell.



I suppose I should have asked this in the beginning, but what type of polisher is this for use with, orbital or rotary?



Where to get a lambs wool pad? I'd look first at TOL, and if I didn't find what I needed, I'd look for some SM-Arnold pads - someone posted some information that they make pads for a lot of other companies.



Hope That Helps,

Kevin
 
I have a couple of the TOL yellow pads and they work great on both the PC and rotary. Obviously they're more aggressive when used on a rotary and care must be exercised.



Unless your paint is really trashed I see no reason to use a wool pad. Foam pad technology is more than adequate for most needs. A pro detailer will need some wool pads in his inventory as he never knows what he may encounter but your typical enthusiast really has no need for a wool pad unless they can't control themselves and simply must have one.
 
This is for use with my PC and the pads came from TOL they are BuffandShine pads. Good information. Would you avoid the use of the yellow pad on dark colors?
 
Most cut (abrasive) to lightest cut



Wool

Yellow Cutting Pad

Orange cutting/polishing pad

White Polishing Pad

Black Finishing Pad



All are safe on clearcoat ...including wool and yellow. The heavier cut pads will break down the polish a lot faster than the milder pads.



A yellow pad will effectively remove clearcoat blemishes and oxidation with the proper polish and technique.
 
AutoNova- As Bret said, you need to use the right pad for the job, based on what you're trying to do. GENERALLY, yeah, stick with foam pads, at least until you have a lot of PC experience. The wool pads are NOT all that much more aggressive, but I think people sometimes use them in an attempt to make the PC do a job that really calls for a rotary.



Most anything that SHOULD be attempted with a PC can be done with the yellow (cutting) pad. It should be plenty aggressive enough (with a product like DACP), in fact, be careful you don't take off TOO much clear with it. Not TOO likely, but possible.



If the yellow pad (and whatever product) leaves micromarring on your dark paint, a quick pass with a white (polishing) pad should take care of it. Trying to avoid this by "using a milder pad for a longer time" usually doesn't work well. If you need to be aggressive, then that's what you should do.
 
I tried the white and then the yellow with DACP and just switched to the yellow. Couldn't really tell the difference, just seemed to go a little quicker. Of course I followed up with a blackfire polish and the white pad.
 
Does anyone find that they can buy pads at any retailers around their area? I checked Harbor Freight Tools, which by the way is a great store and has the hydraulic mechanics stool on sale for $16, and they did not carry them.
 
AutoNova- Yeah, what Tort said :xyxthumbs The auto paint/body supply places in my area all have Meguiar's (and usually another brand of) pads.
 
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