Foam Interface and Foam Finishing Discs? A Few Questions...

[SMRcalidiv]

I want to pick up an air random orbital and a standard hook and loop backing plate, but I am a little uncertain about the style of hook and loop on the 6" foam interface. I have read that there are different styles, like micro, and I want to be sure that they are compatible. So onto my questions..

1. Would it be overkill to use the foam interface and a foam finishing disc or is this actually recommended?

2. Would it be essentially the same to use a foam interface w/ a sanding disc as using a foam finishing disc?

3. Would a foam interface cut down on the cutting ability of say a 1500 disc if removing orange peel was the target?

4. Will there be compatibility issues with the styles of hook and loop if I use a standard 6" backing plate > S6FI 6" foam interface > unigrit sanding discs or even 3m sanding discs?

Thanks

[greg0303]

Re: Foam Interface and Foam Finishing Discs? A Few Questions...

1. Would it be overkill to use the foam interface and a foam finishing disc or is this actually recommended?

It is actually the right way to go.

2. Would it be essentially the same to use a foam interface w/ a sanding disc as using a foam finishing disc?
3. Would a foam interface cut down on the cutting ability of say a 1500 disc if removing orange peel was the target?

Yes, foam interface pad reduces discs' cutting aggressiveness but it also provides cushioning, flexibility, easy contouring and safety. Without it cutting may be to rapid and more difficult to control its progress.

4. Will there be compatibility issues with the styles of hook and loop if I use a standard 6" backing plate > S6FI 6" foam interface > unigrit sanding discs or even 3m sanding discs?

Within Meguiar's Unigrit products there will be no issue with compatibility. I've never worked with 3M sanding discs so can't really talk their hooking system.

[SMRcalidiv]

Re: Foam Interface and Foam Finishing Discs? A Few Questions...

Thank you for your input. I saw something about there being a difference between the Hookit and Hookit II products so I was curious...or should I say nervous to place my order.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Foam Interface and Foam Finishing Discs? A Few Questions...

Specifically with regard to the need to remove orange peel and the use of a foam interface pad: The interface pad will not only cushion the blow, so to speak, but can also cause the abrasive media to follow the contours of the orange peel rather than level it down. This is especially true when using the finishing disc that have their own thin layer of foam backing. This is great when you need to remove deep scratches but don't want to alter the texture of a panel, which would make it stand out next to the adjacent panels. But if you've shot a lot of clear and you plan on sanding it mirror flat, that interface pad could be a hindrance to the process. When working on factory paint we recommend always having the interface pad in place. But if you're doing a custom paint job with a lot of clear laid down you want to completely flatten it, you might find a better/faster result without the interface pad.

It's important to consider the surface you're working on (factory or aftermarket paint, and how much of it), the desired result, and how the different components do their part in the whole process.

[SMRcalidiv]

Re: Foam Interface and Foam Finishing Discs? A Few Questions...

Thanks, I actually am planning on doing both in the future so I was trying to get all of my ducks in a row.