Polisher pad material confision. - SRT Forums

rojo · 03-04-2007, 10:27 PM

Hi I just got a Ryobi polisher, and it came with some crappy pads, so I went to Pep's to get new ones, but there's various kinds like foam, wool, cotton and microfiber. The q is what is best for what, because is printed on the box but it puts wool microfiber and foam in the same "Exellent" category for polishing. Other thing is that it mentions "Compounding" but i don't know what is that.

If you ask about why the Ryobi polisher, well, it was like $23 so I guess it was a good thing to start.
Thanx.

fivetoez · 03-06-2007, 05:14 AM

wool is VERY abrasive.& is used for compunding(heavy oxidaton/scratch) removal......foam is less abrasive, there are different grades of foam pads also, coarse & fine. I hope your ryobi is an ORBITAL polisher Not circular as the latter can do ALOT of damage in untrained hands.Microfibre is the sofest & safest.

neonelite10 · 03-07-2007, 10:05 AM

If it is an orbital, no harm can be done with it, and I would recommend never using the wool on your car, only the foam (polishing), cloth (wax application), and microfiber (wax removal).

rojo · 03-09-2007, 12:17 AM

Thanx!!!

jersturbo · 03-10-2007, 10:26 PM

not to hijack thread...but kinda related question...

...i have an orbital handheld, foam and cloth pads used on finish...but!

to remove a scuff (not a scratch really) on a taillight lens (aftermarket srt4 item)...

...use wool pad (or not) for that?...and what kind of compound to use?

thanks guys

Quote: Originally Posted by fivetoez

wool is VERY abrasive.& is used for compunding(heavy oxidaton/scratch) removal......foam is less abrasive, there are different grades of foam pads also, coarse & fine. I hope your ryobi is an ORBITAL polisher Not circular as the latter can do ALOT of damage in untrained hands.Microfibre is the sofest & safest.

neonelite10 · 03-11-2007, 12:37 AM

Is the scuff paint transfer, something that was transfered from whatever hit the tail light, or is it actually scratched plastic?

If it's just a transfer, claying it will knock it right out, if it is a scuff/scratch in the plastic, then I always use Mothers Aluminum Polish, you would be amazed at how new your tails look afterwards. Oh, and just use a cloth bonnet over your random orbital, or do it by hand (safer). The RO won't hurt your paint, but the Mothers just is much easier to use by hand with a terry cotton hand towel.

jersturbo · 03-12-2007, 07:38 AM

thanks...is a scuff on the lens, from something, but no paint transfer on it...is light enough is not quite a 'scratch'

i will check on the mothers aluminum polish, and your advice...
...i also saw a 3m plastic polish at the store too...wonder how that would work?

Quote: Originally Posted by neonelite10

Is the scuff paint transfer, something that was transfered from whatever hit the tail light, or is it actually scratched plastic?

If it's just a transfer, claying it will knock it right out, if it is a scuff/scratch in the plastic, then I always use Mothers Aluminum Polish, you would be amazed at how new your tails look afterwards. Oh, and just use a cloth bonnet over your random orbital, or do it by hand (safer). The RO won't hurt your paint, but the Mothers just is much easier to use by hand with a terry cotton hand towel.