Started my detail career with wool pads (old guy) read alot on foam pads now.Do I need to step up and go to foam pads I use Meguairs and 3M products I can see maybe using wool on the first cut and maybe switching to foam on the final work!

It's really a personal choice.
I use both, but use foam most of the time.
The Meguiars Maroon pad with heavy cut compound cuts
almost as fast as wool.
Foam is considered safer and wool considered faster.
There are to many variables with different wool and foam types,
along with too many compounds to give a definite choice.
Depending on the combination that you use, you'll
have to decide what works best for you.
Right now I'm useing foam most of the time.
But I only do small collision repair and am not buffing
out entire cars, usually just a panel or two,
so speed isn't as big a factor for me.

Wool vs. Foam

Pros –wool is faster cutting and generates less heat and therefore leaves the surface cooler, removes heavy oxidation much more efficiently than a form pad. Wool pads are easier to control compared to foam. They glide as the wool nap ‘lies down’ and will conform to vehicle body shape easily. Make certain to spur the wool fibres when it loads up with product.

Cons -wool can leave micro marring (buffer trails) finish with a foam pad to remove. Don’t overwork the polish as wool will break diminishing abrasives faster than foam, the surface lubricants will dry up faster and you could end up dry buffing unless you’re careful.

Wool for me every single time on the first pass..

Yes wool is more marring than a foam pad, but even the Maroon pad Jim speaks of will not remove sand scratches nearly as fast and efficiently as a quality twisted wool pad spun at about 2400 rpm..

Foam pads heat the panel faster and they heat it hotter..its the only time I have ever grabbed the clear and just flat out marred up some day old or older clear.. Sometimes where i would have to sand into the base to get it all out.. Once a foam pad gets dry especially if you just started buffing, they can do some damage-

BondoKing wrote:Wool for me every single time on the first pass..

Yes wool is more marring than a foam pad, but even the Maroon pad Jim speaks of will not remove sand scratches nearly as fast and efficiently as a quality twisted wool pad spun at about 2400 rpm..

Foam pads heat the panel faster and they heat it hotter..its the only time I have ever grabbed the clear and just flat out marred up some day old or older clear.. Sometimes where i would have to sand into the base to get it all out.. Once a foam pad gets dry especially if you just started buffing, they can do some damage-

I can understand the old school mentality. What works you tend to stick with. Now me on other hand will use a combination of both depending on paint job, the wool is great, but foam is great with the Trizact system. Now on a full show paint, I will use foam only, sanding with P1000,P1200 and then trizact system P1500 and P3000. One pass with white foam pad.

Just so you guys know....Its really cool to hear all the different methods and materials you use. It really helps us buffing newbies get a better idea of where to start and what you really need verses a whole "kit". Thank you!

I've only done one complete buffing so far and started with foam, wasn't able to get the cut I wanted it. Not aggressive enough with the pads I had (yellow, white). I ran out and bought a twisted wool and regular wool pad. Really made my life easier! If you're finishing down to P3000 I don't really see the need for wool, but anything coarser than that, wool is easier for me. Then I finish up with a white foam pad and Presta Swirl Remover.

I dont know that by using wool its old school mentality, but it does not offend me either way

I use the wool simply because it cuts faster and does not grab the paint and pinch it by the pad drying too fast and trash a panel..

I also dont have to spend all the cheese on trizact disk going all the way to 3000..

I think there is nothing wrong with using the foam pads, but for me they are too dangerous.. On show work I just cant afford that mistake in the middle of a panel.. but again thats my personal preference boys