We Say
What makes a great finishing pad? You would be forgiven for thinking that the answer is simply one that is able to burnish all finishing polishes to perfection. However, in reality this isn't easy to achieve, as the nature of both the abrasives and lubricants used in finishing polishes varies a lot between brands, and you also have to factor in the differences between paint types too. Thus, it's always important to firstly consider the nature of the paint you're working on (i.e. how hard it is, and how easy it is to finish down on), then secondly choose an appropriate finishing polish for it, and then finally choose a finishing pad that will work well with both. In our experience, relatively dense closed cell finishing pads tend to work optimally with oily finishing polishes, as they soak up relatively little product and thus don't become soggy and prone to causing hologramming. In contrast, ultra-soft open cell finishing pads tend to work best with drier finishing polishes, as they generate less friction and thus glide more easily over the paint when only lightly lubricated. The SCHOLL Concepts SOFTouch Waffle Pad falls into this latter category.
Key Features
Cut Level1/10(Compared To Others)
Flexibility10/10(Compared To Others)
WashableYes(Hand Or Machine)
Description
The SCHOLL Concepts SOFTouch Waffle Pad features an innovative sandwich-style construction that enables an ultra-soft, thermally reticulated, open cell finishing foam to be used without any risk of damage arising from excessive compression of the pad on strongly curved surfaces. This is achieved via the inclusion of an interfacing layer of a firmer, non-reticulated, closed cell finishing foam, which acts as a safety barrier between the backing plate and the surface being polished. The net result is a dual-layer foam finishing pad design that offers a sublime degree of burnishing performance in a safe and easy to use format. The SCHOLL Concepts SOFTouch Waffle Pad is therefore ideal for anybody seeking perfection when refining paint finishes with any of the one-step compounds and finishing polishes in the SCHOLL Concepts range (with the exception of SCHOLL Concepts S40, which loads up the open cell structure of the pad too quickly and thus tends to cause hologramming). The SCHOLL Concepts SOFTouch Waffle Pad is currently available in three different sizes.
Specification
| Compatible Backing Plate | ? 75 mm (85 mm)||? 125 mm (135 mm)||? 150 mm (160 mm) |
|---|---|
| Construction | Flexible polyurethane foam |
| Cut Level | |
| Flexibility | |
| Foam Structure | Open cell (with closed cell backing) |
| Promo Offer | BUY 3 OR MORE SAVE 5% |
| Suitable For Hard Paints | Yes |
| Suitable For Intermediate Paints | Yes |
| Suitable For Soft Paints | Yes |
| Washable | Yes (hand or machine) |
How To Use
General usage notes: (i) always select the least aggressive pad you think you will need to achieve the desired result, and step up one grade at a time if more cut is required (ii) always ensure that you centre each pad properly on the backing plate (this can take several attempts to get right, but is vital if the machine is to remain perfectly balanced during use); (iii) always use an appropriate sized pad for the backing plate you are using (the pad should always protrude past the edge of the backing plate, never the other way around); (iv) always prime a new pad by loading it with 2-6 pea-sized drops of product (depending on pad size) and running it stationary on the paint for 30 seconds at low speed; (v) always ensure that spent polish residue on the face of the pad is brushed off regularly during use using a PB Utility Brush (failure to follow this advice can lead to micromarring of the finish, so don't be lazy!); (vi) after use, soak each pad in a bucket of PB Snappy Clean Boost solution for 15 minutes and then rinse under fresh running water (using your fingertips to massage out any remaining polish residue) and allow to dry naturally, and; (vii) while not in use, store in a dry, dust-free environment (lidded plastic storage boxes are ideal in this respect).