Is there a wool pad for polishing/'jeweling?

LeMarque

LeMarque

New member
As the subject states.

I would like to hone my skills with my Dewalt and was wondering if such a pad exists and if not recommendations? I do have a 3401 as well as a d/a
 
There are various grades of wool: From aggressive twisted wool to synthetic blends, to ultra soft lamb's wool. I have never been able to achieve a flawless finish on a rotary polisher using any blend of wool pad. I have used some of the finer grades of wool for light-to-medium polishing (blends such as wool/acrylic and electrified sheepskin/lambwool).

IME, the finest grade of wool you can polish with is an electrified sheepskin. The sheep wool fibers are electrified which removes the abrasive barbs from the fiber. The result is a very smooth and soft wool.

When final polishing/jeweling you want to use a pad that is as smooth as possible so the finish you are creating is as smooth as possible. Even the softest wool pads will likely create some swirl marks as the fibers themselves (particularly when loaded with abrasives) are not even.

It has been my experience that finer grades of wool can be used for light-to-medium polishing but for that ultra fine finish that reflects light perfectly with minimal to no surface scouring, a fine grade of foam works the best (with out the use of fillers).
 
When I first started polishing 10 or so years ago all I used was a wool pad on a rotary from harbor freight. It had two speeds, low and high! I was using 3m rubbing compound, i dont know which one, it dusted like hell! But I was able to get a decent finish from it. But nothing like what i can do these days with a foam pad and fine polishing compounds. I definitely dont think it would work very well doing a darker colored car, especially black. But now im curious and want to try :D
 
Well, shows you what I know. Thought I read somewhere that the rotary was 'the' tool for
the final polish. Am actually getting the hang of it using 105/205 and was beginning to think I was ready for the big league ;)

I did order some more pads, including black, which I try on the 3401.
 
LeMarque said:
Well, shows you what I know. Thought I read somewhere that the rotary was 'the' tool for
the final polish. Am actually getting the hang of it using 105/205 and was beginning to think I was ready for the big league ;)

I did order some more pads, including black, which I try on the 3401.
Click to expand...

The rotary is capable of producing a very high gloss and swirl free finish, but not with wool pads. I've seen a few people who say it can be done, but until I see it with my own eyes (black car), wool will always be too aggressive for final polishing.
 
I use a dewalt buffer on light colored cars with a foam pad at about 1000 to 1200 rpm's to keep it safe. You still have to look for swirling though. As far as being in the big leagues, it's not the size of the tool you're using, it's the results in the end that looks professional. If I can produce the same results with my flex on a black car in half the time it takes to correct with a wool pad and rotary, then back it out with a foam pad and rotary, then back that out with a fine cut and orbital, then a protection, then I'm going to use the Flex. And I can get out wet sanding scratches out with the flex and 105. So don't get so stuck on the dewalt, its heavy and can do some damage around mirrors and door handles.
 
I use wool for cutting, even on black. It swirls like crazy, but for the amount of imperfections that it removes, I dont mind the swirls. Thats what polish is for. I would never ever try to finish down with wool, and I definetly wouldnt give a car back to a client knowing I finished with wool. Those pads have their place in my arsenal, but so do the foam ones.
 
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