Product Review: Grit Guard Pad Washer

TroyScherer

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Product Review: Grit Guard Pad Washer




Introduction:
The Grit Guard Pad Washer always looked like one of those expensive toys that I always wanted but never would buy, simply because I could wash my pads by hand and I could make due. Luckily I was given one of these for Christmas as a gift and my pad washing world was changed forever.​




Product Description / Claims:
The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer is the first and only pad washer that cleans all types of buffing pads on dual action and random orbital buffers. Clean foam pads, wool pads, buffing bonnets – you name it! The unique design of the Universal Pad Washer accommodates any dual action polisher to clean pads without even removing them from the machine!

The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer uses the power of your polisher to agitate pads. You don’t have to scrub and scrape – just let the polisher do the work for you. Insert the pad into the pad washer, turn on your polisher and let the grid insert clean and dry all your buffing pads.

Unlike other pad washing systems, the Universal Pad Washer works with all polishers. The grid insert’s large diameter allows pads of all sizes to make contact, no matter how big the orbit. Even the Cyclo can be used with this pad washer! The opening of the pad washer is adjustable to accommodate any pad size and polisher. Clean pads on your Porter Cable 7424XP, FLEX XC 3401 VRG, and Meguiars G110. The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer accommodates all dual action polishers.

The grid insert’s height is adjustable. Simply press your polisher down until the pad is in the water and making contact with the grid. The grid insert is supported by springs so no manual adjustment is needed. Just press down and turn the polisher on at its slowest speed. The downward force pumps water upward to help clean the pad.




Product Details:
Packaging: The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer includes the pad washer complete with Splash Guard, the Extension, a Gamma-Seal Lid, and a 4 oz. spray bottle of Pad Renewing Solution
Directions: The Directions are clear and self explanatory
Color: Red
Scent: Plastic
Pricing: $134.99








Pad Cleaning Tips:

1. Keep the pad’s Velcro® brand backing out of the water when using the Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer.
2. When using a dual action polisher, make a mark on the backing plate with a permanent marker. This mark will indicate to you when the pad has made a full rotation. If it is not rotating, lighten up your pressure.
3. Fill with the appropriate level of water. Press down on the grid insert until the springs are fully compressed. Fill until the water level reaches just above the Insert. When you press down on the grid insert with the polisher, the springs will pump water upwards to the pad.
4. Always operate the pad washer with the Splash Guard closed.
5. For heavily soiled pads, spin the pad in the pad washer for 10 seconds to thoroughly wet it. Then spray on the Pad Renewing Solution and let it penetrate for 1 minute. Then use the pad washer again to clean the pad.
6. Always use the Dual Action Pad Washer with the polisher on its lowest setting for cleaning. You can use a slightly higher setting for drying.
7. Move the polisher around inside the pad washer to be sure all parts of the pad are cleaned.




Warnings or Precautions:
Your using power tools around water. Just be careful and make sure you tools are grounded properly.​




Testing:
As far as a review goes I will let the video do the talking for me.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-Hpbd97tg]Grit Guard Pad Washer - YouTube[/video]



Here are just a few extra Pictures.

Setup for Cleaning:




Pad Before:




Pad After:





Pros:

  • Makes pad cleaning a breeze
  • Allows you to truly clean pads on the fly
  • Works with DA & Rotary




Cons:

  • Cost
  • Having to pull everything apart to wash it.




Questions:

1. Why didn't I get one sooner?




Final Thought / Summary:
The Grit Gaurd Pad washer truly makes cleaning your pads easier. Is it something that everyone should run out and buy? No. If you are weekender that only does their only vehicle and only ever has a few pads to clean then you don't truly a pad washer. But if you are business owner and you have lots of pads to clean then you should really that a serious look into getting one. Time is money even when cleaning pads and this can make quick work of it.​
 
Thanks for the Pad washer review..

considering one of these.. but as of right now Im only doing about 3 cars a week.. sometimes 4..

So trying to decide if I should go ahead and pull the trigger..

next 20% off sale I think one will be added to my cart
 
I bought one off ebay it they are nice. For on the fly detailing, I don't even use a cleaning solution, just water. I worry how the cleaning solution will affect my polish, aio, glaze, sealant, wax, etc. and the water with the friction on the grit guard keep them clean.
 

Thanks guys.


I was thinking about this last night. I kinda compare it to having a "smartphone". Do you need it? NO. But once you have one you wonder if or how you ever lived without it....

 
For those of you that use the system. What pad cleaner product are you using?
 
I'm struggling to see why it costs $135, nice to have, but why does it cost so much
 
For those of you that use the system. What pad cleaner product are you using?


I have used dedicated pad cleaner and its great. But lately I have been using APC or even Dawn. They clean well and when you clean a "fresh" pad you don't usually need as much cleans agent to get it taken care of.



 

I have used dedicated pad cleaner and its great. But lately I have been using APC or even Dawn. They clean well and when you clean a "fresh" pad you don't usually need as much cleans agent to get it taken care of.




I wasn't sure if people were using Blackfire's pad cleaner or something similar with theirs.
 
I wasn't sure if people were using Blackfire's pad cleaner or something similar with theirs.

Absolutely!


I have been trying to scale down the number of product I have on hand. Here is what I have been doing.


Mix up pad washer solution using Dawn or APC. Usually 2-3 oz or so.
Spray pad with pad cleaner or APC mixture and let it set for 5 minutes or so.
Put pad on the polisher and clean it in the pad washer.
Dry pad using polisher. Usually my rotary.
 
Great review. Love the tone of your voice in your vids. Its like we pissed you off or something, LoL. J/K

How soon can the freshly washed pads be reused?

I.e. on site, out of cutting pads. Can I reuse them to finish the job?

Sent from my Galaxy Note II using AG Online
 
How soon can the freshly washed pads be reused?

I.e. on site, out of cutting pads. Can I reuse them to finish the job?


Using my rotary I can get them surprisingly dry very quickly. Ideally you would use clean fresh pads all the way through a detail. But using this method you could most likely reuse a pad a few times going around a vehicle.

But just for being clear. I suggest having enough of the pads you need and using this to simply clean them post use. But if you get in a bind this could be an option to clean them and keep using them.
 

Using my rotary I can get them surprisingly dry very quickly. Ideally you would use clean fresh pads all the way through a detail. But using this method you could most likely reuse a pad a few times going around a vehicle.

But just for being clear. I suggest having enough of the pads you need and using this to simply clean them post use. But if you get in a bind this could be an option to clean them and keep using them.

Thx, that clears it up for me. My current method of soaking, massaging, and rising in the wash with my mf's will suffice. I was under the impression that the pads were clean/dry enough for immediate reuse.

Thx

Sent from my Galaxy Note II using AG Online
 
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