foam pad newbie

N

newbug1

New member
Hi Everyone,
Just did my first full exterior detail since '06 on my friends' '03 Mitsu Eclipse, silver. The car had never been detailed, and just goes through an automatic car wash every now and then, and has never been waxed! It turned out great, and she was very happy.
mldone2-1.jpg


My questions is about foam pads. I guess I'm an "old school" detailer....this was my first time I've ever used a foam pad on a rotary.

I am not a newbie with rotaries; I've been using them for more years (or more decades) than I care to mention; let's just say I consider myself an expert in their use, no matter what brand of polisher (or for that matter, what type of product used, etc).

Well, my problem is with the foam pad "skipping" or "hopping" (interchangeable terms imo). Generally speaking, is it caused by one thing more than another? That is, is it caused more by the use of too much product or too little? Too much RPM's or too little? Also, it seems that sometimes the product seems to gum up a bit. I have read here that some feel that foam pads generate too much heat compared to wool pads, and I think that is part of the problem. My foam pads are flat, not the "waffle" style (at least that's what I call 'em).

I put a wool pad on instead, and wow, did it feel nice and smooth compared to the foam!

I know it's like anything else in life, and with a little practice I'll be as good with foam as with wool, but in the meantime, any quick advice for an "old school newbie" ? :)

Thanks!
 
newbug1 said:
Hi Everyone,
Just did my first full exterior detail since '06 on my friends' '03 Mitsu Eclipse, silver. The car had never been detailed, and just goes through an automatic car wash every now and then, and has never been waxed! It turned out great, and she was very happy.
mldone2-1.jpg


My questions is about foam pads. I guess I'm an "old school" detailer....this was my first time I've ever used a foam pad on a rotary.

I am not a newbie with rotaries; I've been using them for more years (or more decades) than I care to mention; let's just say I consider myself an expert in their use, no matter what brand of polisher (or for that matter, what type of product used, etc).

Well, my problem is with the foam pad "skipping" or "hopping" (interchangeable terms imo). Generally speaking, is it caused by one thing more than another? That is, is it caused more by the use of too much product or too little? Too much RPM's or too little? Also, it seems that sometimes the product seems to gum up a bit. I have read here that some feel that foam pads generate too much heat compared to wool pads, and I think that is part of the problem. My foam pads are flat, not the "waffle" style (at least that's what I call 'em).

I put a wool pad on instead, and wow, did it feel nice and smooth compared to the foam!

I know it's like anything else in life, and with a little practice I'll be as good with foam as with wool, but in the meantime, any quick advice for an "old school newbie" ? :)

Thanks!
Click to expand...


well as someone who was in the same boat about 7 years ago i understand your frustration ... it does come with adjusting the amount of product with the right level of abrasive pad as well as speed.
I chose to use larger VC (variable contact)or CCS pads which give a similar feel to me as wool. The smaller flat pads must be kept flat with no tilt at all...you tilt them you hop ..the larger pads also have beveled edges which feel more like a wool pad when going around edges and curved areas. I do prefer foam now as there is less halograms and nicer final finish with finishing pads :)
 
newbug1 said:
Well, my problem is with the foam pad "skipping" or "hopping" (interchangeable terms imo). Generally speaking, is it caused by one thing more than another? That is, is it caused more by the use of too much product or too little? Too much RPM's or too little? Also, it seems that sometimes the product seems to gum up a bit. I have read here that some feel that foam pads generate too much heat compared to wool pads, and I think that is part of the problem. My foam pads are flat, not the "waffle" style (at least that's what I call 'em).
Click to expand...

Which foam pads are you referring to? The only foam pads that seem to want to hop, are cutting pads. At least for me. While I really like the orange LC pad on a DA, I don't care for it at all on a rotary. I opt to use a PFW (purple foam wool) pad instead. As you mentioned, it is MUCH smoother, easier to control and gives much better results. It also generates less surface heat which is always a plus. The pad being a flat pad wouldn't cause the issue, unless like Poorboy mentioned, you aren't keeping it flat. A dry pad could also cause this, but it is most likely that the pad isn't staying flat on the surface.
 
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