Help Cleaning Pads!

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Blackg35shine

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So I am using my porter cable 7424xp and noticed my pads are getting pretty bad. Normally I just wash them with some dish soap or something along those line and let it drain face down. But one of my pads is turning green from the Pinnacle Swirl Remover. How would I remove this?

a6cd0a05-4579-671d.jpg


Thank you!
 
Blackg35shine said:
So I am using my porter cable 7424xp and noticed my pads are getting pretty bad. Normally I just wash them with some dish soap or something along those line and let it drain face down. But one of my pads is turning green from the Pinnacle Swirl Remover. How would I remove this?

a6cd0a05-4579-671d.jpg


Thank you!
Click to expand...
Dawn Power Dissolver.. I can only find it at Walmart.
 
It isn't possible most of the time to get all of a product out of a pad. That is especially true for sealants and waxes that are not water soluble. It is best to use pads for a single product when it comes to those products. I keep my pads stored in Zip Lock bags labeled for the product they were used with.
 
Normal wear and tear. The pads pick up color from the compounds as well as from what it's rubbing off your car.

You might try some 'snappy clean' or other pad cleaner, or spray with MF cleaner and agitate to get some more out. As long as the pads are firm and cut similar to new ones, nothing I'd worry about.
 
There are pad cleaning chemicals. I agree that they will lose\change color over time.
 
When you're using finishing pads you'll most likely be using a wax or sealant like product. These types of products are supposed to repel water and other crap so its a bit harder to get out so..

Compound/Polishing pads are easier to clean up since most of them are (I think all of them are?) water soluble.

- APC presoak (You can put APC mix with a bucket of water and let the pad soak or spray the pad with the APC)
- let it sit in the bucket with water/apc or let the pad set with apc sprayed on for a few mins
-wipe away in the sink with cool/warm water

^ That's how I used to clean up my pads and never had any issues. However from normal wear and tear it would start too look a bit "dingy" like yours. Stains and such that won't come off even if they're all clean. I ended up getting the Grit Guard Pad Washer for this reason. I haven't tested it out first hand myself but I hope to have some time this week so I can have my own experience with it and opinion on it.
 
When cleaning pads(specifically LC flat), is it fine to get the backing wet or should that be avoided?
 
nadroj said:
When cleaning pads(specifically LC flat), is it fine to get the backing wet or should that be avoided?
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Good question, since you need to be careful about the "glue" that holds the velcro to the pad. It's pretty hard to really clean them without getting them wet so I am sure that is part of their design. However, after cleaning lay them foam side down to dry or let them drain sideways. Some folks have a velcro strip tacked to a wall. Then just slap em on the velco to dry. Pretty clever, huh?
 
I lay mine foam side down on a grit guard or a open grate like shelf.

But yeah its hard not getting the Velcro backing wet the way you normally clean them.
 
kimtyson said:
Good question, since you need to be careful about the "glue" that holds the velcro to the pad. It's pretty hard to really clean them without getting them wet so I am sure that is part of their design. However, after cleaning lay them foam side down to dry or let them drain sideways. Some folks have a velcro strip tacked to a wall. Then just slap em on the velco to dry. Pretty clever, huh?
Click to expand...


That's a very good idea, I haven't seen that one posted before....Thanks for the tip!:dblthumb2:
 
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