| There are terms like convex, concave and waffle. | | | | the best finish, whereas the technicians who prefer |
| These are terms used in the business of polishing and | | | | the foam pads claim that they like them because |
| buffing in the auto repair shop. To most people, | | | | they don't leave bits behind after they go. Although |
| polishing and buffing the car is something that they | | | | foam pads are new, they are evolving like anything |
| do on the weekend, but in the professional world, | | | | that is new. |
| this function takes on a much different meaning | | | | A recent test was done with technicians who |
| because there are so many factors to consider in | | | | preferred wool, and several of those technicians said |
| creating "the perfect finish", and they require a great | | | | they preferred the newer foam to their old wool |
| deal of training, more than you'd think. | | | | pads. Sometimes, a technician can be attached to |
| The polishing shop technician has a very important | | | | their way of doing things and they will say that they |
| job. For instance, in order to get a good finish that | | | | like their way but they have never tried anything |
| really shines, it is necessary to deceive the eye. This | | | | new in years. |
| is why a good technician will never use a concentric | | | | They will say things like the pads they tried won't |
| polisher, because they move in perfect circles. An | | | | remove wet or dry sand scratches from the panel, |
| eccentric polisher is one that moves off center. It | | | | and they had to go back to wool to finish the job, |
| has two functions, one is to distribute the compound | | | | but, as I mentioned earlier, old ways die-hard. So |
| evenly, by pushing it into the center - this allows the | | | | they don't like to try new products, like the newer |
| compound even distribution, and it also prevents | | | | pads that are specially designed to be more like the |
| splattering of the compound and two, it confuses the | | | | wool pads, but without the drawbacks. |
| eye so that the eye doesn't see any light reflected in | | | | The three main types of newer foam polish pads are |
| the lines left by a conventional concentric polisher. | | | | convex, concave and waffle and these types of |
| As far as the tools used to get that perfect finish, | | | | pads are designed to create a compound pocket |
| there is some disagreement among technicians as to | | | | that guides the compound toward the center of the |
| what to use, the standard wool or the newer foam | | | | pad and not to the outside so it won't splatter. Each |
| buffing pads. Most quality paint manufacturers have | | | | of the convex, concave, or waffle pads have their |
| good tips on the right way to buff and polish, and | | | | own highly specialized function, but the main goal in all |
| you can find them on the net. | | | | of this is the brilliant finish achieved by the illusion that |
| The technicians who prefer wool say that it gives | | | | the eye sees. |