Homemade foam pads

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boogiejoe

New member
I work in an IT department and we always have tons of items shipped in foam packing material. It seems pretty durable and it passes the CD test even with tons of pressure applied. I was wondering if anyone has cut these into round pieces and applied some velcro to the back and made their own pads?

I've got some I'm gonna try on the wife's car.
 
GOOD LUCK!!! Never tried and really don't think I ever will, but you never know, it may work for you. Make sure you have some super sticky glue that doesn't eat foam!!
 
From Quote:

I work in an IT department and we always have tons of items shipped in foam packing material. It seems pretty durable and it passes the CD test even with tons of pressure applied. I was wondering if anyone has cut these into round pieces and applied some velcro to the back and made their own pads?

I've got some I'm gonna try on the wife's car.



Lol
 
I didn't ask for your sarcasm. If my idea is dumb, then tell me. I'm not really impressed with your wit.



Is there a difference in foam from 3M made for polishing, and 3M foam made for packing?
 
Although I do not have a 100% definitive answer, I believe that there must be distinct differences between the foam used in polishing pads and the foam used to pack shipping cartons. My assumption would be that shipping foam is inexpensive, and nothing more than a filler to keep things from shifting around. Polishing/Buffing/Finishing foam must have certain physical properties. Compounding pads must be firm, porous and able to cut. Finishing pads have no cut, but provide an excellent shine when used properly.



My opinion is that you should not use this packing foam on ANY car. Instead, if you are truely curious, find a piece of scratched or faded metal, and polish that. Metal drums, washer/dryer, or old Coleman coolers are a couple of things that come to mind to test this foam on. But I would not start out by trying on a car.
 
I would say if your going to try it make sure to do it someplace she won't notice or on something else. As much as they might feel alike foams can be different. I would guess the foam would work for something, just have to figure out how aggressive it is. Good luck and be careful.
 
'Thanks. That answer lots. I\'m not trying to be cheap, but it jusr seemed like and easy way to make some pads.\r\nI also figured since 3M has a patent on the convoluted shape of their foam, then this foam might be the same. It looks and feels just like the $20 foam pads for polishing.\r\n\r\nI don\'t mind buying products I need, but there\'s tons of this stuff for the taking!'
 
The real question is how that shipping foam is going to react to high temperatures, and what it's going to do to the finish of your car. Also, is it strong enough to withstand the rotational/torsional stress of buffing? There are so many variables here, I think I'd stay with tried and true foam that was specifically made to buff cars. If you're really thinking of trying this, do it on a beater car that you can screw up the paint without worries.



Good luck!
 
I don't think it's worth all that trouble to save $10 on a pad. Maybe there are other uses for the foam, such as applying tire dressing or interior dressing?
 
boogiejoe said:
I didn't ask for your sarcasm. If my idea is dumb, then tell me. I'm not really impressed with your wit.



Is there a difference in foam from 3M made for polishing, and 3M foam made for packing?
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i don't think he was being sarcastic regarding your idea...just laughing at your last statement of "i'll try it on my WIFE'S car". that is kind of funny, if you think about it. ;)



i agree w/ what has already been said. i doubt the egg foam will be durable enough and just disintegrate when under heat and friction. BUT, the idea to use it on other things may be great...perhaps it would be a good medium for hand polishing metal? i might give that a shot. i also see TONS of foam packing material come in to my dept (IT as well)...it could save my microfiber towels and such from metal polish. hmmmmmm.
 
I think I like the idea of hand polishing and applying tire dressing. I don't think I'll use it with my buffer.

Doesn't everyone try everything on the wife's car first?
 
boogiejoe said:
I think I like the idea of hand polishing and applying tire dressing. I don't think I'll use it with my buffer.

Doesn't everyone try everything on the wife's car first?
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Nah, I sneak into the neighbor's garage and work on their cars late into the night :idea



Another thing about cutting packing foam to run on a polisher: the difficulty in getting it cut perfectly round and even



I could definitely see using it for tire dressing applications and other dirty work.
 
Your questions about making your own pads and mixing your own wax remind me of a neighbor who inquired about my use of detailing clay...



The neighbor tried to use play doh to clean the paintwork of her automobile! :chuckle: :werd:
 
DaGonz said:
Your questions about making your own pads and mixing your own wax remind me of a neighbor who inquired about my use of detailing clay...



The neighbor tried to use play doh to clean the paintwork of her automobile! :chuckle: :werd:
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did it work?



just wondering cause it would be funny if it did.
 
ggk said:
did it work?



just wondering cause it would be funny if it did.
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Nope.



She also "waxes" her car with Pledge furniture polish wiped off with shop rags and wonders why her car looks so crappy... :werd:
 
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