3m foam compounding pads

If you are trying to use foam for compounding, you need the firmest pad you can find.

Typically wool is what you want for aggressive compounding, foam will not hold up like a wool pad.

On a car, I've used foam compounding pads with a Flex DA polisher and the Menzerna System of polishes with incredible results. 95% of swirl marks are gone. That is a car, a gelcoted boat is different than a painted clear coat car.
 
Boater Dave, I have used them and they work great! You can get them at any Napa Auto Parts. I only use them with the 3M Finesse Polish, I have taken off light oxidation using those pads. When they get gunked up, simply hose them off, wring it out, and continue using them. You will never go back to a wool pad again!

I have also used the black ones but the white ones seem to work even better.
 
I have a boat with varying oxidation; covered dock with one side sun exposure. I'll give them a whirl next week and see how it goes. I didnt think of the automotive application.
 
Boater Dave, There's no way a foam pad is going to remove anything more than a very light amount of oxidation on gel coat. You will need a wool pad for that. Start with a yellow and if that doesn't bring it back then you may need a white wool pad (more aggressive). It really depends on what product you are using.
 
I use foam pads all the time with my Flex 3401 orbital machine. They work very well, and are very safe if used correctly. They will not do the surface correction as easily as a wool pad on a rotary when used by an experienced person, but the foam pads can get pretty close.
I don't use a rotary and wool pads on my cars because I'm always afraid of burning the clear coat. In fact, I don't even own a rotary. But the gel coat on a boat is much more durable, so I do borrow a friend's rotary and wool pad and use them on my boat to speed things up.
If you know what you're doing, go for the rotary and wool pads. If you are at all hesitant, then use the foam pads. They will get you to the same place, but just take a little more time and patience.
 
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