Cleaning the new DA MF pads

05xrunner said:
I am sure all you mobile detailers have this
The Metro Air Force Blaster is a multi-purpose motorcycle dryer and blower. Quickly dry your bike to prevent water spots with this lightweight Metro
this is what i plan to clean my pad with between sections..with the small jet tip..basically like air compressor gives a good blast of air
Click to expand...

I'd be really interested in knowing how well this works for you, If my shopvac doesn't have enough force to clean the pads, then I can see two advantages of this... I currently dry cars with a gas powered leaf blower, Not that i't bad or anything, but I sure do get a lot of crazy looks! If the pressure this unit puts out effectively cleans these pads, then I'm in.
 
No problem I might be getting together with another member from this forum and give it a try soon after the pads come in .
 
I just spoke w/Penny @ AG x202 & the Megs DA MF delivery is scheduled to arrive Friday 2/25/11
I placed an order and I'm going to do a bit of a drive so I can pick it up from AG Friday afternoon.
I have a paint correction to do Sunday. I'm borrowing a friends portable air compressor & try it out.
 
I've tried the little compressors and they don't provide enough volume to clean the pads. I get a initial burst of compressed air then it quickly dies down. I'll post pics in a moment on what I use as a mobile detailer.
 
superior_shine said:
I've tried the little compressors and they don't provide enough volume to clean the pads. I get a initial burst of compressed air then it quickly dies down. I'll post pics in a moment on what I use as a mobile detailer.
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe, This takes me to my next question, I know zero about air compressors, I've been looking at them online and at Lowes etc... if I were to say spend up to 300 bucks on one to use for my garage on hand tools, what PSI, tank size, type, etc...

Thanks for any advice!

Tom
 
The air compressor in my garage is a Craftsman 6.5 horsepower, 33 gallon tank, 150 max PSI. It works fine for cleaning pads. I don't know how small of a compressor is too small.
 
The one I'm going to borrow and try is a Craftsman 3 Gallon Horizontal Air Compressor

If this one does not have enough power to clean the pads then the 1.5 gallon sure won't do.
I don't know yet...I'll try the 3 gallon on Sunday and will post the compressor test results.
I want something small/portable and not LOUD the air compressor is when it's filling up the tank.
 
merlin said:
The one I'm going to borrow and try is a Craftsman 3 Gallon Horizontal Air Compressor

If this one does not have enough power to clean the pads then the 1.5 gallon sure won't do.
I don't know yet...I'll try the 3 gallon on Sunday and will post the compressor test results.
I'm also concerned about how LOUD the compressor is when it's filling up the tank.
Click to expand...
From what I've read, you want 5+ SCFM at 90 PSI. This one only does 2.4 SCFM at 90 PSI.
 
When the M/F pads were used on my firebird hood and trunk a Husky compressor that was bought for the wife to inflate pool rafts etc was used to clean the pads. Its a 1.5 gal Air Scout model 41214 from Home Depot. Caught it on sale for $79.99. It puts out 2.0scfm @ 90psi and 3.0 scfm @ 40psi. The pad was left on the DA and taking the air gun to spin it while moving from the edge to the center, blowing the compound off with ease. It was a lot better (quieter)then firing up my 60gal craftsman or 80gal develbliss. I was surprised at how easy these pads were to clean.
 
I would try a small portable compressor first if you know someone you can borrow it from before I bought a larger one . I don't have any of the new pads yet but I really don't think your going to have such a large compressor to clean the pads . I don't think after fours years of development Meguiars would make it so it's so hard to clean . A small brush and some air has too do the job .
IMO
 
POP QUIZ: How do you clean MF pads if your a mobile detailer, no pad washer, no air compressor?
Click to expand...

Klink10 said:
Answer: Have more than 1?
Click to expand...

05xrunner said:
I am sure all you mobile detailers have this
The Metro Air Force Blaster is a multi-purpose motorcycle dryer and blower. Quickly dry your bike to prevent water spots with this lightweight Metro
this is what i plan to clean my pad with between sections..with the small jet tip..basically like air compressor gives a good blast of air
Click to expand...

kronos said:
With a brush!
Click to expand...


I don't use a brush because the bristles are too wide apart to clean in-between the microfibers. Compressed air is best to clean the pads with but we don't carry air on board my detail rigs so..........

We found that a bug sponge works awesome!


cleanmf1.JPG




Here is a dirty MF pad. I have cleaned pads that were much more "loaded up" than this with the bug sponge.


cleanmf2.JPG




I turn on the machine and I run the sponge over the face of the pad for about 15 seconds.

cleanmf3.JPG




Clean and ready for more action!!

cleanmf4.JPG
 
That is a neat idea, Joe. I will have to try that with one of my bug sponges on the new MF pads. Thanks
 
Well now... that's impressive, Joe!

Are you using the sponge dry, or did you wet it with anything first?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top