Storing Buffing Pads with Product in them?

[akh223]

Hi all,

I was wondering what everyone thought about storing pads for a short time (overnight, or a few days) with product left in them? In my case, I usually have an hour or two at night after the rest of the family goes to bed to work on one of my vehicles. Is it possible to store buffing pads in a zip lock or something similar so I can resume the next night, and not have to clean pads between each short work session?

This could also apply to the same day. A hour or two in the early morning, then storing them "wet" until later that afternoon or night.

What say the experts?

Thanks for the info.

 

[maluminas]

Good question, i'd like to know the answer to this as well.

And welcome to Autogeek!

 

[Flash Gordon]

Hi all,

Howdy

I was wondering what everyone thought about storing pads for a short time (overnight, or a few days) with product left in them? In my case, I usually have an hour or two at night after the rest of the family goes to bed to work on one of my vehicles. Is it possible to store buffing pads in a zip lock or something similar so I can resume the next night, and not have to clean pads between each short work session?

If you are anything like me, your "overnight"...or "just a few days" will turn into "just a few weeks"

Best thing to do, is have a bucket of dawn/apc mix (w/water) and toss them in there right after you use them. At the end of the day massage them vigorously, then rinse thoroughly. It will only add 10 minutes and be one less thing you'll have to do later

This could also apply to the same day. A hour or two in the early morning, then storing them "wet" until later that afternoon or night.

What say the experts?

Thanks for the info.

Storing them wet is not a good idea either. Stick them in the dishwasher if you can't find anywhere else to store them

Another thing. You should be cleaning ALL your pads including LSP's after each use

Good luck and God bless,

Flash

 

[james_death]

Welcome aboard...:xyxthumbs:
It does not take long to clean and simply too much risk that some compound will have set and damage the paint the next day.
Some will have dampened them and put in a zip lock for the next day I'm sure but I don't recommend it.
Wash the pad and spin on the da or rotary to get most water out.

 

[MaximumMD]

I have worked at a body shop and we never cleaned our pads at night. Just cleaned dry compound off right before we used them. Had no problem. Don't see why you need to clean them each night. Just keep them dry so they don't get mold. Aka not leave them in a puddle of water

 

[akh223]

Thanks for the info so far guys!

As a follow up question, what is you cutoff for time the pad can be left while you take a break? If I need to take an hour break, do I need to clean? What about 2 hours, 4 hours, etc? When would you clean your pad?

Thanks

 

[Dr Oldz]

Thanks for the info so far guys!

As a follow up question, what is you cutoff for time the pad can be left while you take a break? If I need to take an hour break, do I need to clean? What about 2 hours, 4 hours, etc? When would you clean your pad?

Thanks

Product dries rather quickly. Wait un till a pad is in need of cleaning then take a break. After your break, grab a clean pad! As for storing a pad with product, I consider it a bad idea. I do however clean pads and dry, then label pads that I have used for specific LSPs as I find they are very hard to get 100 percent clean. Then just reuse when using that specific product again.

 

[james_death]

I have worked at a body shop and we never cleaned our pads at night. Just cleaned dry compound off right before we used them. Had no problem. Don't see why you need to clean them each night. Just keep them dry so they don't get mold. Aka not leave them in a puddle of water

Cant ask better than that...:dblthumb2:
Personally as a enthusiast you dont know exactly when you will use again and i always clean and dry..

 

[BobbyG]

Thanks for the info so far guys!

As a follow up question, what is you cutoff for time the pad can be left while you take a break? If I need to take an hour break, do I need to clean? What about 2 hours, 4 hours, etc? When would you clean your pad?

Thanks

Occasionally, I'll remove the pad from the polisher and seal it in a ZipLock freezer bag. Before sealing removes as much of the air inside the bag then zip the seal. This slows the drying of chemicals to a crawl..