I have been working on a foam pad guide for a little while, an although not ready for the website yet, here is a basic copy.
Lake Country polishing pads are available in many different types of foam, each with specific characteristics. The amount of colors and options can be confusing to average enthusiast because of overlapping characteristics and similarities from foam to foam. Lake Country Manufacturing supplies polishing pads at the OEM level, where slight differences in foam compensation are critical.
To understand the differences in the foams and to select the best that suite your needs we will first examine the various properties of each foam.
Material: There are three types of material used in the construction of foam pads for the automotive industry: Pre-Polymer, Polyester, and Polyether.
Pre-polymer: Pre-polymer foam is very durable because it has a very high tensile strength. All pre-polymer foam is imported from Europe.
Polyester: Polyester foam is high quality foam ideal for most polishing situations. It is very durable and quickly dissipates heat.
Polyether: Polyether tends to be very soft but lacks the tensile strength of polyester or pre-polymer foams. Because of its low cost Polyether is commonly used in hand applicators for waxes and sealants. Proper Auto Care does not carry any polyether foam polishing pads.
Structure: The actual structure of the foam used in polishing pads can be categorized into two types: reticulated (open celled) and non-reticulated (close celled).
Reticulated/Open Celled structure allows air to pass through the foam. This flow keeps the polish cooler, extending the work time of solvent and petroleum based polished. The air flow also dissipates heat, making this structure ideal for heavy cutting applications.
Non-Reticulated/Closed Celled structure foam will not allow air flow to pass through the pad. This structure of foam extends the life of water based polishes by reducing air flow through the polish.
Blended: Foams can be blended for optimal performance dependent on the level cut and typical application.
Measurements: The actual performance of the pad is dependent on a variety of factors including the texture, density, structure, and chemical composition of the foam. Pores per inch (PPI) measures the amount of pores in a given square inch of the foam; the density and softness of the foam. In general foams with a higher number of pores tend to be softer, although this is only one factor that determines the amount of cut the pad has. Foams with similar ppi?s can be further broken down according to their Compression Load Deflection rating. CLD measures how long it takes compressed foam to return to its original shape.
Lake Country by the colors:
xxx Yellow Cutting Foam <Reticulated Polyester, 70PPI>:
The aggressive bite and structure makes the Yellow Cutting Foam pads ideal for removing serious paint defects: scratches, heavy marring, deep water etching, and thick oxidation with a rotary polisher. The cut of this pad may cause slight surface scouring (micro hazing) when used on a random orbital or dual action machine that may be difficult to remove with out a rotary polisher.
xxx Orange Power Pad Foam <Reticulated Pre-Polymer, 75PPI>:
This firm pre-polymer foam is a favorite at the OEM level and amongst enthusiasts who use orbital or dual action machines. The firmness of this foam can make it tricky to use on a rotary polisher, although the variable contact backing exclusive to Proper Auto Care?s pad line have proven very benefical for rotary users. Light Cutting foam provides a nice level cut with out associated surface hazing. Ideal for removing compounding haze, light to moderate swirl marks, and blending. The Orange Light Cutting Foam pads are currently the most aggressive recommended to by Proper Auto Care for non rotary machines.
xxx White Polishing Foam <50/50 Blend Non-Reticulated and Reticulated Polyester, 75PPI>:
The white foam pads are ideal for use with a high speed rotary polisher as well as dual action and random orbital polishers. This pad will have the cut to remove ultra fine swirl marks, light compounding haze, and finish to an extremely high gloss. On most paint systems this pad with finish to a perfect, mar free finishes on an orbital polisher. On a rotary the paint may benefit from a less aggressive pad for finish polishing to ensure the paint is hologram free.
xxx European Light Polishing Green Foam <Reticulated Polyester, 80PPI>:
A quick check reveals that this foam is very similar in composition to our red finishing foam, however slight chemical changes reduce chemical soak and foam breakdown, making this the finest foam that is tough enough to withstand medium polishing. This foam can removed light swirling with moderate polishes and finish out to perfection when used with a final polish.
xxx Black Finishing Foam <Reticulated Polyester, 80PPI>:
This foam has a slight mechanical action which makes it ideal for final polishing on all paint systems with a rotary polisher. This pad is used ensure a 100% hologram free finish with rotary application.
xxx Red Finishing Foam <Reticulated Polyester, 80 PPI>:
The red finishing foam is a medium density, ultra soft foam which provides no mechanical cut. Pads with this foam are ideal for final polishing on extremely finicky paint and applying waxes, sealants, or glazes.
xxx Gold Concours Finishing Foam <Reticulated Polyester, 110PPI>:
This is the softest foam manufactured by Lake Country. It features an extremely soft disposition and a very high rate of pores. The structure of the foam resists products from absorbing into the foam, making the gold ultra finishing foam the best choice in spreading and working waxes and sealants into the paint?s surface.
, one problem im running out of the CCS 7.5" and 6.5" orange pads.
