6" vs. 8" Edge wool pads

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imported_Denzil

New member
I just purchased a Metabo and so I'm in the market for purchasing some wool pads. I need some reassurance as to which size wool pads to purchase because I'm not quite sure what the benefits are of having a 6" wool pad versus an 8" wool pad.



My 2 options are as follows:



1) Edge 2k 6" wool pads (1-black, 1-yellow, 1-green) and Edge 3k adapter

2) Edge Classic 8" wool pads (1-black, 1-yellow, 1-green) and/or LC 6.5" purple foamed wool on a Meg's W64 backing plate (that I already own)



I plan on making a purchase of M105 from ADS once I figure this out and I already have some Ultrafina on the way. Could you guys please give me your input to help me out? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
 
Denzil, I bought the 6" wool Edge pads, and am *very* happy with them. They still have enough surface area to make quick work out of hoods and doors, yet are small enough to get to areas you'd have a hard time reaching with the 8 inchers.



I also use the LC 6.5" purple foamed wool as my primary correction pad. For normal corrections, I use SIP with the purple foamed, then I use the 6" Edge White Finishing wool. This pad finishes down as well as (and often time much better than) a white LC foam pad. If I need greater correction, I'lll use SIP with either the Yellow Edge or Black Edge 6" wool. Then of course you can always step up to a more aggressive polish, too. I try to stay with the purple foamed wool when I can, though, because it finishes out much better than the black, yellow, and even green Edge wool pads do.



I've just tired Ultrafina the last two days...wonderful stuff. It finishes down extremely well with both the Edge white finishing wool and the LC white foam. For an even higher gloss, try a blue 3M waffle weave pad, or a black LC foam.



Still waiting to get my M105. There's been a few posts around here saying that M105 corrects nicely with purple foamed wool, leaving an almost LSP ready finish. Then following that up with Ultrafina and a finishing pad is the proverbial icing. :)
 
I think I'm going to go with the LC 6.5" purple foamed wool for now using M105 and Ultrafina.



I'm currently having trouble with an '89 BMW 525i that seems to have ridiculously hard paint (I think it's SS paint). I even tried it with a yellow Propel (ver. 1) and PB's SSR3 (which I'm not really too fond of SSR's since I still haven't gotten the technique on these polishes).



I guess my lack of rotary experience factors into my results as well but I haven't had this large of an issue on other cars.



Sometime down the road (probably during the summer), I'll invest into the 6" Edge kit if the LC purple foamed wool and M105 won't cut it (might be a while since I've heard great things about this combo).
 
105 and purple are not my favorite combo. I like 105 and a 3m wool. Reason being I don't have to spur as much on the 3M, and the purple seems to clog up more and I go through 4 of them for a large car, vs two 3M wools.



I'm still learning the curve of 105, but I just finished a Corvette with it, and it worked like a charm.



Cheers,

GREG
 
Greg, considering you're still learning with M105, do you believe it's possible that you can minimize your use of your purple foamed wool to 3 or even 2 pads for a large car once you fully get the hang of M105? What 3M wool pads are you referring to?



I'm sure glad I invested in a UPW, hehe. :getdown
 
Greg Nichols said:
105 and purple are not my favorite combo. I like 105 and a 3m wool. Reason being I don't have to spur as much on the 3M, and the purple seems to clog up more and I go through 4 of them for a large car, vs two 3M wools.



I'm still learning the curve of 105, but I just finished a Corvette with it, and it worked like a charm.



Cheers,

GREG
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Yeah, that purple foamed wool does like to clog up. I can usually get a whole car done with two purple foamed wool pads with SIP, but with heavier stuff like PG it usually takes four pads. Guess the 105 is gonna be the same way.



Greg, I got your sample of M105 today! I was looking forward to using it on a car tomrrow, but I've had a rash of cancellations lately. The bimmer I was supposed to do Friday canceled, and the Charger (a friend of mine) I was supposed to do tomorrow isn't gonna work out, either. Guess I could use it on the shower door... :)



What 3M wool did ya use on the vette? Were you able to go right to a finishing polish after the wool/m105?



If you don't already have some, I'd be happy to send ya a sample of Ultrafina.
 
Hmm why not look into the meguiars solo pads?



Thats what i use with my Metabo and it works great and better than many other pads i've used.



The 7inch size is perfect.
 
I would say to stick with the smaller pads, especially with the Metabo. The larger pads induce a lot more stress on the motor, and the Metabo is already known for overheating. The smaller pads should reduce that strain, and hopefully keep your operating temps a lot lower. Not to mention that I feel they are a lot easier to use anyway.
 
The purple wool clogs because its smaller and less dense than a 8" conventional wool. Purple wool clogs up for me even with SIP, SuperBee and I had the same issues on a car we did.



I use the 3M perfect pad, I'll have to look up the # later on.....remind me if you want that.



While I'm still learning how to best use 105, whether using SIP or 105 they both clog the Purple wool, its just that 105 clogs more for me vs. SIP.



I do want to try the Solo foam pad, but my supplier does not carry them yet.



I found that if I add a very little bit of Optimum polish to the 105 its a bit more forgiving.



Cheers,

GREG
 
Denzil said:
...I'm currently having trouble with an '89 BMW 525i that seems to have ridiculously hard paint ...
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The clear on my '87 e36 is *HARD* (and I'm used to Audi clear). Metabo/Makita with yellow or orange with H-T EC barely touched it, even when I used speeds around 2K. I strongly encourage you to get some aggressive stuff (I'll probably use my 3M Extra Cut and Edge wool when I resume work on it). But watch your paint thickness (voice of experience :o ).
 
Accumulator said:
The clear on my '87 e36 is *HARD* (and I'm used to Audi clear). Metabo/Makita with yellow or orange with H-T EC barely touched it, even when I used speeds around 2K. I strongly encourage you to get some aggressive stuff (I'll probably use my 3M Extra Cut and Edge wool when I resume work on it). But watch your paint thickness (voice of experience :o ).
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Yeah, I'm guessing that the LC purple foamed wool and M105 MAY cut it but that's just from my educated guess. I feel quite certain, although I don't know for sure due to another educated guess, that an Edge black/yellow/green and M105 SHOULD correct it, right? :faint:
 
Denzil said:
Yeah, I'm guessing that the LC purple foamed wool and M105 MAY cut it but that's just from my educated guess. I feel quite certain, although I don't know for sure due to another educated guess, that an Edge black/yellow/green and M105 SHOULD correct it, right? :faint:
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If Edge Black with M105 does not, that is some insanely hard clear (or paint if single stage). If Edge Black adn M105 does not work, I guess you would have to resort to wet sanding with an orbital.
 
A purple wool does not have the same cut as a standard white wool from 3M. IIRC the purple is more cut than a orange, but less than a yellow LC.



GREg
 
Ah, thanks for the clarification Greg. That gives me a good idea of what I'll be purchasing later today, hehe.



I'm afraid I just might have to purchase some wet sandpaper... I'm thinking maybe 1500-3000 grit. I don't see myself using wet sandpaper too often (I hope) so I think I'll just pick some up from OTC.
 
bert31 said:
The Edge White Wool Pad only comes in 8 inch correct?
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I don't know why they don't have the six inch white wool pad available on their web site. You can order it from AG if you call them on the phone...that's how I got mine. The white Edge wool is a finishing wool, though, not cutting.
 
SuperBee364 said:
I don't know why they don't have the six inch white wool pad available on their web site.
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Weird. I just assumed Edge didn't make a 6 inch white since no one has it listed on their website.



SuperBee364 said:
You can order it from AG if you call them on the phone...that's how I got mine.
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Thanks.



SuperBee364 said:
The white Edge wool is a finishing wool, though, not cutting.
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I remember you saying that.
 
So yeah, I ended up making my purchase through Pinnaclewax.com and made sure I applied the Autopia discount, hehe.







I definitely can't wait to go to town on the Bimmer. :work:
 
Denzil- That looks like a great shopping list :xyxthumbs



Oh, and if you're gonna get the paper... there's a *HUGE* difference in aggressiveness between 1500 and 3K, and I sure wouldn't use anything harsher than ~2500 without an ETG. And I strongly encourage you to get *good* paper, the old 3M 2K I had was really bad when it came to leaving random "tracers" (occasional too-deep scratches) but the Meguiar's/Nikken and Mirka stuff has *never* done that.
 
Hehe, yeah I can't wait for them to arrive at my door! Also thanks for the tips Accumulator. I'll probably stick with sandpaper between 2000-3000 grit then. I'm glad you answered my question (before I could ask it) about what particular brand to stick with as I had no idea what to look for.



Anyone else care to share their experiences with wet sandpapers? :)



Also, ETGs are a whole new ballpark for me... educationally and financially, LoL. What ETG do you use by the way Accumulator, or anyone else for that matter?
 
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