Any concerns with using a wool pad for buffing/compounding?

cab · Nov 10, 2018

So I am considering buffing my 2013 P85+ (multicoat red), and may need to use a wool pad. As a comparison, a week ago I spent 7 hours washing, claybaring, polishing and waxing my wife's 2012 Volvo (which has been sitting parked under our trees for the last six years). Unfortunately, in that process, I soon realized the paint had been etched by the tree sap and sprinklers. The Megs "cleaner wax" wasn't touching it so I got out the rotary, foam polishing pad and Megs M205....I ended up with "shiny" etched paint. Fast forward to yesterday, I attacked it with the rotary, Megs 105 and a foam cutting pad...better, but still no dice. I then switched to a wool pad and the Megs 105 - success!

Anyway, I have used the rotary with a foam pad (m205) on my Tesla, but I can see some of the same water spot etching on it (when viewed at the right angle) and am considering using the m105 on it. Anyway, based on yesterday's experience with the Volvo, I realize I may have to go to a wool pad. We've all heard the comments that "Tesla paint is soft, etc." and I just wanted to get some feedback on folks who have done some more significant compounding on these cars. It may be no big deal, bit just double-checking. Thanks!

JasontheBeaver · Nov 10, 2018

I polish Teslas literally daily. It's hard to give meaningful advice to DIY'ers. Experience and good lighting prevails. Just go in slow, incremental steps. Good luck!

JoeMartin · Nov 27, 2018

Having wet sanded my brother's 2013 black P85, I can say that the paint is amazingly durable, but a pain to get scratches out of due to how soft it is. A wool pad is safe on a dual action polisher, but would definitely run the risk of burning the paint on a rotary.
Before going to M105 and a wool pad, I'd recommend picking up some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and going at the water spots by hand. If they don't come out, step up to a polishing pad with UC, and if that doesn't cut it, a cutting pad with UC before trying the wool pad.

Remember: You can always go more aggressive, but it's a pain to fix a mistake. As Jason said, start slow. Start with the least aggressive options and move up from there.

cab · Nov 27, 2018

Well, I actually did tackle it the day before Thanksgiving. I did spot test a couple of places by hand and then went with the wool pad and M105 (on my rotary). While I washed and clayed the entire car, I didn't have as much time as I would like so I only polished the front clip (hood, bumper and front fenders). I kept the RPM a bit lower than usual to sort of save me. I followed up with the m205 on a yellow foam pad. It isn't perfect by any means (car is 5 years old with 65K miles after all), but came out OK. A few cheesy pics I snapped:

During: