What polishing pads do I need?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Elk Grove Cali
What polishing pads do I need? When I was cleaning out the garage I found an old black and decker polisher with a really messed up wool bonnet but it still works great. I have swirls marks and a few scratches in my paint and I am confused on which products and what type of pads I need to repair my paint. I already know to prep you need to wash and dry and clay the paint but after that I'm lost. So I need to know what type of bonnets I need (compound+finishing,etc.) dont really have a clue, also what type should I get wool or foam? and what types of polish will I need?
You might want to post a picture of what this buffer looks like.
As far as what products should you use, it'll really depend on how bad the swirls on your paint are. Bad swirls would need something like a microfiber pad. But if they are medium swirls like mine, you could go with what I used.
Harbor Freight DA
Meguiars M101 with Orange foam pad
Meguiars 205 with White foam pad
Sealant, I used Colinite 845
Finally I put a paste wax over the top of it.
Here is my 50/50.
Attachment 723162
But that's just my process. Everyone has their favorite, lots of people use the adams package.
As far as what products should you use, it'll really depend on how bad the swirls on your paint are. Bad swirls would need something like a microfiber pad. But if they are medium swirls like mine, you could go with what I used.
Harbor Freight DA
Meguiars M101 with Orange foam pad
Meguiars 205 with White foam pad
Sealant, I used Colinite 845
Finally I put a paste wax over the top of it.
Here is my 50/50.
Attachment 723162
But that's just my process. Everyone has their favorite, lots of people use the adams package.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville,fl
Hardly anybody uses wool anymore.
With foam pads, they do some of the cutwork along with the product used. The 3m black waffle surfaced ones are about the softest for a final product, where a harder foam will do more cutting which can be needed after colorsanding.
This is no doubt an opinionated subject on what products to use, but if your using a da orbital & not a rotary ,it is much safer for an inexperienced person to operate with a large variance of pads & products. I prefer Meguiars or 3-m pads, both companies owned by 3-m. Cheaper generics can be fine if you know what your looking at though.
One thing here, most pads now adhere to Velcro, where some older tools only accepted wrap around & tie covers. If this is the case, your B&D may only be good for applying & removing wax. A selection of good pads & product may cost far more than the old B&D tool did.
With foam pads, they do some of the cutwork along with the product used. The 3m black waffle surfaced ones are about the softest for a final product, where a harder foam will do more cutting which can be needed after colorsanding.
This is no doubt an opinionated subject on what products to use, but if your using a da orbital & not a rotary ,it is much safer for an inexperienced person to operate with a large variance of pads & products. I prefer Meguiars or 3-m pads, both companies owned by 3-m. Cheaper generics can be fine if you know what your looking at though.
One thing here, most pads now adhere to Velcro, where some older tools only accepted wrap around & tie covers. If this is the case, your B&D may only be good for applying & removing wax. A selection of good pads & product may cost far more than the old B&D tool did.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Elk Grove Cali
Hardly anybody uses wool anymore.
With foam pads, they do some of the cutwork along with the product used. The 3m black waffle surfaced ones are about the softest for a final product, where a harder foam will do more cutting which can be needed after colorsanding.
This is no doubt an opinionated subject on what products to use, but if your using a da orbital & not a rotary ,it is much safer for an inexperienced person to operate with a large variance of pads & products. I prefer Meguiars or 3-m pads, both companies owned by 3-m. Cheaper generics can be fine if you know what your looking at though.
One thing here, most pads now adhere to Velcro, where some older tools only accepted wrap around & tie covers. If this is the case, your B&D may only be good for applying & removing wax. A selection of good pads & product may cost far more than the old B&D tool did.
With foam pads, they do some of the cutwork along with the product used. The 3m black waffle surfaced ones are about the softest for a final product, where a harder foam will do more cutting which can be needed after colorsanding.
This is no doubt an opinionated subject on what products to use, but if your using a da orbital & not a rotary ,it is much safer for an inexperienced person to operate with a large variance of pads & products. I prefer Meguiars or 3-m pads, both companies owned by 3-m. Cheaper generics can be fine if you know what your looking at though.
One thing here, most pads now adhere to Velcro, where some older tools only accepted wrap around & tie covers. If this is the case, your B&D may only be good for applying & removing wax. A selection of good pads & product may cost far more than the old B&D tool did.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
You can give that old wax applier a try but honestly I don't think it will be worth your time. Its generally accepted that those old machines don't really have enough power to polish modern clear coats. A harbor freight polisher can be had for about 55 dollars with a coupon, just food for thought.
