Microfiber pads - your experience?

**986DTM** · 11-08-2021, 01:36 PM

I'm in the market for a couple new pads. I've always used Lake Country flat foam pads but I've read a lot of good things about Uro Fiber pads. I haven't been able to find an exact answer, but to those who have used both, how would you compare a Uro Fiber to say a Lake Country orange or yellow?

I'm mainly looking for something that will work well as a one step on hard light paint (an Alpine White BMW, specifically). In the past I have used Sonax Cut and Finish or Tac Refinish Ultra with an orange or yellow pad with decent results. For this type of paint, would I stand to gain anything from going with a microfiber pad? If so, is Uro Fiber the way to go??

Also, I've read a lot about the 3D One + Uro Fiber combo. Would it be worth picking up a bottle or would it be unnecessary given the two products I already have? Again, this is for a one step on hard white paint.

Oh and I have a Dewalt polisher (cordless, free spinning, 15mm throw) if that makes a difference.

**dgage** · 11-08-2021, 02:40 PM

I can't answer your exact question but I can give you a corollary.

I have used the Uro Tec coarse blue pads as well as the Rupes coarse blue wool pads. The Rupes actually has as much or more correction capability as the Uro Tec coarse and polishes up nicer. It still needs a follow up polishing step but the Rupes coarse blue wool pads polish out better than the Uro Tec coarse blue pad. The end result would be Rupes coarse blue wool would save time compounding and polishing. By the way, my testing was with Menzerna 400, Griot's Fast Correcting Cream, CutMax, and Rupes coarse (blue) polish. Results were similar with all compounds used.

So I'd say the Uro Fiber pads would work well but you could also check out the Rupes coarse blue wool pads.

**vobro** · 11-08-2021, 09:47 PM

I use the micro fiber pads on almost all my light color 1 steps, they cut faster and finish out good enough for a one step. I don’t use the 3D One anymore because sometimes the wipe off is frustrating, I like Megs D300, Sonax Cut and Finish and Optimum Polish or Compound. Just make sure to brush or use an air compressor to fluff up the fibers or you’ll see a drop off in cutting.

**noorth** · 01-02-2022, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by vobro

I use the micro fiber pads on almost all my light color 1 steps, they cut faster and finish out good enough for a one step. I don’t use the 3D One anymore because sometimes the wipe off is frustrating, I like Megs D300, Sonax Cut and Finish and Optimum Polish or Compound. Just make sure to brush or use an air compressor to fluff up the fibers or you’ll see a drop off in cutting.

Yeah i decided to give up on 3D one personally. Maybe they will address the wipeoff in the future.

**dlc95** · 01-03-2022, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by noorth

Yeah i decided to give up on 3D one personally. Maybe they will address the wipeoff in the future.

I took a break from 3D ONE for a bit because of the wipe off, but I often found myself wishing I had it with me when I didn't have it.

I usually start with four drops, and that can be a goofy removal. But after I complete the section, I brush up the pad, and tap the next section to see now much moisture I have on the pad. If I have enough, I don't even reload, and continue my process. This makes for a swift traverse around the vehicle, less product use, easier pad cleaning, and most important to me, super easy wipe off.

**noorth** · 01-03-2022, 09:38 AM

I see, they really should work on the wipeoff. Even inside when i practiced on test panels it was noticeably more effort then sonax perfect finish and cutmax.

I'm going back to perfect finish. Not the same level of cut but more then good enough for my needs. If i need something extra i have cutmax which i find simple to work with as well. I've grown tried of 3D One. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone frankly anymore. The new rupes DA fine has a very nice wipeoff too but i have to pick up one of gyeon's empty polish bottles because the rupes dispenser is horrible, all that bing and they couldn't even put a decent cap on the bottle...

**dlc95** · 01-03-2022, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by noorth

I see, they really should work on the wipeoff. Even inside when i practiced on test panels it was noticeably more effort then sonax perfect finish and cutmax.

I'm going back to perfect finish. Not the same level of cut but more then good enough for my needs. If i need something extra i have cutmax which i find simple to work with as well. I've grown tried of 3D One. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone frankly anymore. The new rupes DA fine has a very nice wipeoff too but i have to pick up one of gyeon's empty polish bottles because the rupes dispenser is horrible, all that bing and they couldn't even put a decent cap on the bottle...

I like the Sonax a lot too. I could see myself using them again at some point.- without Perfect Finish though. Too dusty. NP 03-06 performed better for me.

Because we do a lot of PPF, and tint, I like the virtually dustless nature of the 3D line up.

I agree on the Rupee bottles. The old versions were way nicer. My favorite are the Menzerna. Perfect little dots every time!

**DUBL0WS6** · 11-08-2021, 11:32 PM

Griots Fast Finishing MF pads work great as a light cut pad with a mild polish.

**The Guz** · 11-08-2021, 11:34 PM

Consider the rupes yellow wool pads. They are versatile for harder paints and finish out surprising well even with a compound. You don't need 3D One considering what you have. Most products can be used for a one step.

**986DTM** · 11-09-2021, 08:38 AM

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll be honest, I've always thought of wool as something you would only use for serious correction, so I find it interesting there is a supposed "medium" wool pad. The Rupes wool pads do seem to be well received.

I know the only way to get a straight answer would be to buy all these pad and do a test spot with each of them, but would anyone be able to give me a general approximation of how these pads compare to one another? Uro Fiber, Rupes blue, and Rupes yellow....how do they compare in terms cutting and finishing to a Lake Country orange or yellow foam pad? Sorry, Lake Country is the only brand I've worked with, so they're my only frame of reference!

Also, for the wool and microfiber pads, how many should I expect to use per car? Assuming you clean the pad with a brush after every panel or so, can you go around the whole car using the same pad? I'd be buying 2 at the very least. One for my 5" polisher, and one for my 3".