Megs MicroFiber Cutting pads vs Foam pads

[SunnyD]

Hey I'm thinking of getting a pack of the megs microfiber cutting pads heard they work great. But are they worth upgrading to over the foam pads ? I would probably be using the microfiber pad for my 105 then switching over to foam for 205 and a wax might also try microfiber pad with xmt 360 and then finish with a wax with foam pad. Any one with the microfiber cutting pads reviews vs foam better or the same ?

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Megs MicroFiber Cutting pads vs Foam pads

So much depends on the condition of the paint and what you're trying to accomplish. Personally I use the MF pads with the 300/301, the way the system was designed to work. Others who mix and match tools/products can tell you what their results were, but I tend to stay pretty close to home rather than exploring. Are you unhappy with your foam pads results?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Megs MicroFiber Cutting pads vs Foam pads

There is no doubt that the microfiber cutting disc and D300 will cut faster than foam pads and M105. While you can use M105 (or any other compound for that matter) with microfiber pads, you will be experiencing more dust and potentially a harder wipe off than you will if you stick with D300. D300 was, as Joe Dragon mentions, specifically designed for use with microfiber pads on a DA buffer - it gives great cut, a very nice finish, virtually zero dust, super easy wipe off, and it even works amazingly well if the weather is very hot and/or you're stuck working in direct sunlight.

If you're used to using foam pads then you will need to change a few things when moving to microfiber. The biggest change is that you must fully prime the pad before use. The reason for this is two fold: 1) you don't want any exposed microfiber being used aggressively against the paint as it can and will haze softer paints, and 2) if you don't fully prime the pad you lose much of the cut because you have not "wrapped" each of the microfiber filaments in compound abrasive. It is that ability to carry more of the compound's abrasives to the surface that gives the microfiber system so much extra cut. It's not a simple question of just using more product; just loading a bunch of additional product onto a foam pad will not give the same result as much of that product will be slung out or absorbed into the pad. Both of these are negatives when it comes to paint correction. With microfiber you can carry a higher abrasive load with less product since it's neither absorbed into the pad nor flung off at the edge. Microfiber is great at hanging on to stuff, which is why it's so popular for wiping off compound, polish and wax residue. That same characteristic is what makes it so adept at defect removal.

Another change to your technique that you must make is very frequent and regular cleaning of the microfiber pad. Compressed air is the best choice here, but running the pad against a microfiber towel works very well, too. You need to do this in order to remove spent product and paint residue from the clutches of the microfiber. Failing to do so will result in clumping of this material (again, thanks to microfiber hanging on to stuff so tenaciously) which is not a positive thing.

Ask yourself this, though - if all you're working on is your own car, and foam pads have been working great and the paint looks fantastic, do you really need the additional cut of microfiber? If, on the other hand, you work on a wide variety of vehicles and you don't yet have the DAMF System in your arsenal, you really need to add it to your mix. It is that much of a step up. It really is that good.

[SunnyD]

Re: Megs MicroFiber Cutting pads vs Foam pads

Ok after reading that I will definitely be buying the whole system If not just d300 and a cutting pad. Because I have a detailing business so anything to make the job faster.

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: Megs MicroFiber Cutting pads vs Foam pads

I have found that if I need a little more cut with D300 and MF cutting pads I just add a pea size drop of 105 to D300 on the pad.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Megs MicroFiber Cutting pads vs Foam pads

Ok after reading that I will definitely be buying the whole system If not just d300 and a cutting pad. Because I have a detailing business so anything to make the job faster.

If you're detailing for a living, the DAMF System is going to be your new best friend. Just keep the following in mind:


1) always prime the pad fully before first use. This is NOT an option.
2) clean the pad after every section you buff, then add just three drops of product
3) on softer paint you will get some haze from the cutting disc/compound. When that happens, either follow with D302 Microfiber Polish on a microfiber finishing pad, or go with M205 on a foam finishing pad prior to waxing.