How To Properly Clean Pad After Using XMT 360?

[FrankS]

Last weekend I polished my mother's 2000 Toyota Camry with XMT 360. Before I polished the car it was washed and then the above surface contaminants were removed with the Nanoskin Autoscrub medium grade pad on the Flex 3401.

The paint was already in good shape since I previously did some correction to remove scratches and swirls several months ago. It was now due for another coat of sealant. So I decided to use XMT 360 as an all-in-one (AIO) since the paint was already in good shape.

I applied the XMT 360 using the Flex 3401 and White LC 6.5 Hybrid pads. The car came out looking really nice.

To clean the pads, I soaked them in a 5 gallon bucket of water mixed with a scoop of Detailer's Polishing Pad Rejuvenator for about 24 hours. Normally my pads come out clean when I soak them as mentioned and then rinse them with a hose. But when I use XMT 360, it seems difficult to get all of the product out of the pad.

Here are the pads in the bucket

Here's a close up of one of the pads after soaking for the 2nd time.

If I was going to use XMT 360 again it shouldn't be a problem. But if I was going to use a different product on the same pad, I assume that it shouldn't make a difference either as long as the majority of the used product was removed.

My question is, how important is it to get all of the used product out of a pad?

 

[jankerson]

I would soak them in Dawn in a sink for awhile...

Put the Dawn right on the pad and rub it in and let it soak in the soapy water.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Normally my pads come out clean when I soak them as mentioned and then rinse them with a hose.

This is true for compounds and polishes which in most cases these products are water soluble. That is they will mix with soap and water and flush out of the pad.

For this same reason, you don't STOP after compounding and polishing because you haven't left any "protection ingredients" on the paint.

Protection ingredients are water insoluble.

But when I use XMT 360, it seems difficult to get all of the product out of the pad.

And that's a good sign.

If the product won't wash out of the pads easily that indicates it won't wash off the car easily.

If a wax or sealant easily washes out of a buffing pad or even hand applicator pad that would indicate it will wash off your car in the rain or after a car wash.

That's just how things work...


If you use the search feature on this forum and use these words,

water insoluble

You'll find more threads where this same topic comes up and you'll also find tips for getting the wax out of the pads.


Here's two I found just now...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/53331-cleaning-wax-off-pads.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/71747-removing-lsp-applicator-pads.html

 

[FrankS]

Thanks Mike, it makes sense now. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Ipsdrew]

XMT360 has been my go to for some time now. The best way I found to clean the pads was to soak them face down in 1-1 1/2 gal. of HOT water with DP pad rejuv. for about 15-20 minutes. I found that any longer than that didn't make a difference in removal. Next I give the pad a quick scrub with a brush and continue brushing while running under hot water and periodically massaging the pad to break up any product that lodged deep in the pad. A couple minutes under the running water and they were good as new

Sent from my HTCONE using AG Online

 

[FrankS]

I would soak them in Dawn in a sink for awhile...

Put the Dawn right on the pad and rub it in and let it soak in the soapy water.

Thanks for the advice.

XMT360 has been my go to for some time now. The best way I found to clean the pads was to soak them face down in 1-1 1/2 gal. of HOT water with DP pad rejuv. for about 15-20 minutes. I found that any longer than that didn't make a difference in removal. Next I give the pad a quick scrub with a brush and continue brushing while running under hot water and periodically massaging the pad to break up any product that lodged deep in the pad. A couple minutes under the running water and they were good as new

Sent from my HTCONE using AG Online

Thanks for the advice. I like using XMT360 as an AIO also, I've gotten good results with it.

 

[jankerson]

Thanks for the advice.

Believe me it will clean it up, that or just throw them in the washing machine with the towels etc, even easier. :dblthumb2:

 

[FrankS]

Believe me it will clean it up, that or just throw them in the washing machine with the towels etc, even easier. :dblthumb2:

What detergent and water temp do you use when you use the washing machine? I normally use liquid Tide in warm water to wash my clothes, towels, etc. I would assume it's better to use liquid detergent instead of powder?

 

[jankerson]

What detergent and water temp do you use when you use the washing machine? I normally use liquid Tide in warm water to wash my clothes, towels, etc. I would assume it's better to use liquid detergent instead of powder?

That will work fine, same as I use.... :xyxthumbs:

Just don't put them in the dryer. LOL

 

[artofdetailing]

I actually put my pads in the washing machine for the first time last night and I dried them on low heat for 20 mins. Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen my pads. They look brand new. While I'm working, I use the grit guard pad washer and that does the trick so I can compound and polish using clean pads. The washing machine however, got them even cleaner. I did run the washer afterwards so that my clothes wouldn't get any gunk on them.

 

[jankerson]

I actually put my pads in the washing machine for the first time last night and I dried them on low heat for 20 mins. Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen my pads. They look brand new. While I'm working, I use the grit guard pad washer and that does the trick so I can compound and polish using clean pads. The washing machine however, got them even cleaner. I did run the washer afterwards so that my clothes wouldn't get any gunk on them.

Never put mine in the dryer..

Low heat works fine then? Might have to try that. :xyxthumbs:

They do come out pretty dry after the washer spinning them so I just them air dry...