Using wool pad for first time

**Akf75** · 10-23-2020, 09:50 AM

Hello, I have pretty good experience correcting swirls and scratches on newer cars or ones with minor issues. I recently bought a used Black Lexus with pretty bad paint. Heavy swirls, some bad scratching throughout as well as strange water-spot like places. I figure it is time to learn the microfiber or wool pad process. I am nervous about taking too much clear coat off, I don't have a gauge for measuring how much is left so I can't be sure what is there. Am I just overthinking the wool pad process? I know I would follow up with pads and lighter compounds/polish after; it is just the first time so I am a bit hesitant. What is a good compound to use with a wool pad for heavy swirls and scratches for a first timer?

**98CayenneTA** · 10-23-2020, 10:01 AM

What vehicle are you doing?
Year, make, model, color?

Can you post a picture of the damage you're trying to correct....

This is a VERY broad statement but....

On a brand new vehicle the clear is roughly 50 microns thick (.002")

With a decent amount of paint damage, to get to around 90% correction, you will remove around 5-7 microns of clear.

Again, that was a very vague statement but at least it's in the ballpark

**mc2hill** · 10-23-2020, 10:10 AM

For wool, I have only used the Rupes yellow wool pads and 'yellow' polish with a Rupes 15 MKII, and it worked GREAT! I did not have to use a finishing polish on the red Infinity Q60 I removed the swirls on.

You will need to prime the microfiber or wool pads before using a 'fresh' pad, and clean them after each section, but both give great correction. The downside to the MF pads is they get hot, and I have found it best to rotate pads after each section. The DA wool pads run much cooler, thus allowing for working longer time and a larger work area.

I first used MF pads on a pewter Civic, with two dots of Megs M105 and one dot of D301, and it corrected the paint without needing a finishing polish as well. I had tried several foam pad and polish combinations before the MF pads and none removed the swirls.

You best bet is to do a few test spots to see how different pad/polish combinations work on this car.

**Akf75** · 10-23-2020, 10:16 AM

I will try to post a picture later, but it is a 2014 Black Lexus CT 200 H. I have tried with the tradtional foam pad route, but it didn't have much effect. Which is why I am considering using a wool/microfiber pad with heavier compounds to get the paint in better condition. Then follow up of course with foam pads and polish.

**Akf75** · 10-23-2020, 10:17 AM

Thanks for that! I don't have a rotary polisher, I only have a DA polisher. Can I use wool/microfiber with a DA?

**98CayenneTA** · 10-23-2020, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Akf75

Thanks for that! I don't have a rotary polisher, I only have a DA polisher. Can I use wool/microfiber with a DA?

Absolutley, I would recommend Lake Country microfiber pads and Sonax Cutmax for compounding and Menzerna 3500 with a Buff & Shine white pads for finishing.

Might also want to look at Carpro Essence for finishing also.

**Akf75** · 10-23-2020, 10:32 AM

Ok, great I will take a look at Sonax, I was thinking about using Blackfire SRC followed up with the polish with foam pads. But I am open to other products!

**Akf75** · 10-23-2020, 10:39 AM

I think I will try the Sonax/Menzerna mix with foam pads first to see if that works. If not, I will go to the wool pads.

Mike Phillips · 10-23-2020, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Akf75

Hello, I have pretty good experience correcting swirls and scratches on newer cars or ones with minor issues. I recently bought a used Black Lexus with pretty bad paint. Heavy swirls, some bad scratching throughout as well as strange water-spot like places.

I figure it is time to learn the microfiber or wool pad process.

I am nervous about taking too much clear coat off, I don't have a gauge for measuring how much is left so I can't be sure what is there.

Am I just overthinking the wool pad process?

I know I would follow up with pads and lighter compounds/polish after; it is just the first time so I am a bit hesitant. What is a good compound to use with a wool pad for heavy swirls and scratches for a first timer?

I'd get the SONAX Perfect Finish. You can increase the cut by using it with a wool pad or decrease the cut by using it with a foam pad.

I'd also get an orbital polisher to ensure no holograms.

**Akf75** · 10-23-2020, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Phillips

I'd get the SONAX Perfect Finish. You can increase the cut by using it with a wool pad or decrease the cut by using it with a foam pad.

I'd also get an orbital polisher to ensure no holograms.

Thanks Mike, will do. Can I try it with the DA polisher? Or will it not do the work?