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Technical Paint guys, bufing question: Foam VS Wool

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Gearhead Graphics, Jan 27, 2015.

  1. Gearhead Graphics
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 3,890

    Gearhead Graphics
    Member
    from Denver Co

    Doing some buffing on fresh clear. Got a few places of light orange peel and some dust in a recent spray job.

    I've mostly always used the foam wheels,
    I know theres the eggcrate shaped foam, the smooth foam and the wool of course.
    Whats the prefered method for buffing a fresh clear job?
     
  2. In my shop, we got away from the wool many years ago. We use the 3M system of foam pads & heavy/light compounds, then swirl remover, then glaze.
     
    afaulk and tb33anda3rd like this.
  3. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,919

    Slopok
    Member

    Sand the orange peel & dust out rather than just trying to buff it out. Foam is more forgiving than wool.
     
    40fordtudor likes this.
  4. Gearhead Graphics
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 3,890

    Gearhead Graphics
    Member
    from Denver Co

    Yes, I've sanded it out, now to buff it back. Figured foam was the way to go, just rarely buff fresh paint. I like buffing old paint much more.... its lived its life, so if I kill it i dont feel so bad.
     

  5. I like the 3m rubbing compound system too.
    It's not cheap and there's 4 steps and 4 foam pads so it's actually "not cheap x 4" but I like it.
     
  6. 3M and foam pads.
     
  7. joel
    Joined: Oct 10, 2009
    Posts: 2,467

    joel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    X3 on the 3M system and I also think it is more forgiving. I hand sand wet up to 2400, then start to buff.
     
  8. Use the foam pads, there's a white, black, and blue. I always final sand with 3000 also. That's makes buffing so much easier. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1422379819.390031.jpg
     
  9. Fords-R-Us
    Joined: Sep 29, 2011
    Posts: 58

    Fords-R-Us
    Member
    from NE Iowa

    There are some good you-tube videos of the 3-M buffing system
     
  10. VOODOO ROD & CUSTOM
    Joined: Dec 27, 2009
    Posts: 1,287

    VOODOO ROD & CUSTOM
    Member

    I must be "Old School", I always buff with Wool, start to finish.

    VR&C.
     
  11. I like to start with wool and finish with foam. Wool seems to cut much faster to get your initial shine.
     
    guthriesmith and tb33anda3rd like this.
  12. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

  13. Overtime
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 47

    Overtime
    Member

    I've used wool in the past but with the 3m system that goes up to 5000 grit I don't see a need. Foam all the way.
     
  14. flamed34
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 819

    flamed34
    Member

    I ran out of 3M compound on the last car I painted and ran to get more. My supplier was out of 3M so I decided to try the Presta 2-step system with the black and white wool pad and the yellow foam. I followed up with a 3M glazing. I'll be honest - it buffed better, quicker, and cleaned up nicer than the 3M. However, this is based on only one job. I'm wrapping up a black '60 Pontiac so I'll know more in the coming weeks.
     
  15. Yep- that's what I did with the 3M perfect it system on this ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1422410306.066017.jpg
     
  16. VOODOO ROD & CUSTOM
    Joined: Dec 27, 2009
    Posts: 1,287

    VOODOO ROD & CUSTOM
    Member

    Presta is Killer product.

    VR&C.
     
  17. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    Use the foam pads, I also use a DA, I feel it helps to keep out swirls.
     
    tudorfritz likes this.
  18. hightower611
    Joined: Dec 7, 2009
    Posts: 137

    hightower611
    Member

    x2
    I won't use anything but Presta. Many off topic show winners that I polished with it.
    Wool is the only way to cut. Then finish with foam.
     
  19. The 3M systems is what we use , wool was fine until we tried foam,there is no going back now. HRP
     
  20. flamed34
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 819

    flamed34
    Member

    I guess one of the advantages of being self-taught when it comes to body work and paint is I have learned to try new things, read a whole lot, and adapt when things go haywire. I bounce around between foam (flat, waffle, various densities, etc) and wool. I've used different compounds, glazes, etc.
    What I've learned is no single product serves my purposes all the time. Different paints, different hardeners, different conditions, different colors....I'll try different products on a job until I am happy with the results.
    I also ask my supplier a lot of questions....must of their customers frequent them more often than I do so they get a lot of feedback that would take me a lot of trial and error to figure out. I try to go in educated but not with my mind set.

    Foam is a lot more forgiving, so I tend to do as much as possible with foam. I'd rather creep up on an edge or ridge with foam...it's more predictable and easier to watch.
    I also never rely on buffing to get rid of dust as indicated by the OP - wetsanding is a requirement.
     
  21. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    I also prefer the 3M system, great products
     

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