Cleaning Pads

[moeferg]

I don't have an expensive pad cleaner and have used the "quick" pad cleaning method ( used a terry cloth towel and ran the buffer into it in my hand) Is there a better alternative cleaning method? Could I soak them in dawn/water solution? Any tips would be appreciated! thanks!!

 

[addysdaddy]

Pad cleaning is my least favorite thing. Here's what I do and it's far from perfect, but satisfactory.

Spray pad with Optimum Power Wash (APC) at full strength and let sit for an hour or so then rinse.
Spray pad with Meguiars new Pad Cleaner, add hot water and let soak for 3-4 hours. Then rinse.
Let pads sit in a solution of DP Pad Cleaner overnite and then rinse.
Place on grit guards and allow to dry.

There is still crap in the pad but that's all the bandwidth I have and I'm not going to buy a $150 pad cleaner - but YMMV.

 

[alko]

For cleaning the pad on the fly, I use the same method you use, as well as lightly use the brush to remove any residual polish. I also use the XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner, followed by the conditioner. You might as well get the 3 pack and get you some XMT 360 Spray Wax-this stuff is AWESOME!

XMT Series 3 Pack- Your Choice!

For overnight soaking, I use about 3-4 gallons of hot water and a scoop of DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator. After soaking overnight, I'll use an upholstry brush and carefully scrub the pad. I'll then let it air dry on a grit guard loop side up:

DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator was created to provide detailers with a fast and effective way to clean pads without soapy residue or foamy degreasers.

 

[snowking724]

Pad cleaning is my least favorite thing.

There is still crap in the pad but that's all the bandwidth I have and I'm not going to buy a $150 pad cleaner - but YMMV.

Also my least favorite thing to do. I used to do the APC and Snappy Clean route but I just tried something that cleaned all my already clean(but stained) pads. I mixed up a bucket of OxiClean, agitated plenty until it was all dissolved and soaked for about 3 hours. After this the pads looked great. Just for kicks, and a good rinse I sent them through the wash with OxiClean and an extra rinse. They look almost new. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

There's all kinds of ways to clean buffing pads, my how-to book covers this topic with 8 pages of tips and techniques for washing, drying and storing pads.


Here's a simple way, mix some cleaning solution in a bucket of water and as you finish using a pad dunk it in the wash solution and squish it a few times to saturate the pad and then let it soak while you continue buffing out the car. At the end of the buffing day, squeeze and brush the pads to your level of satisfaction and then rinse and dry.

How to dry a foam pad after hand washing

After washing your foam buffing pads by hand the question often comes up,

How do I dry my foam pads?

Here's one way to dry your foam pads, please feel encouraged to find a way that works best for you.

Using a clean, dry cotton terry cloth towel or clean, dry microfiber waffle weave towel or any clean microfiber towel, roll your washed and rinsed pad up inside the towel.

Press the towel into the foam as you're folding the pad into the towel.

Then squeeze, squish and wring the towel which will force any excess water out of the foam and into the towel.

Afterwards, place your foam buffing pads upside down some place where they will stay clean where air can circulate around them and moisture can evaporate out of them.

:xyxthumbs:

 

[snowking724]

Here's what they looked like when I started, the black pads have been stained like that for about 2 years.

And this is after, the red pads were all used for waxes and sealants so they're a little tougher to clean.

 

[moeferg]

Did the washing machine/oxiclean have any effect on the loop backing?

 

[RhetoricMixes]

This is what i do when i know im done with a pad during a detail session.

Fill a bucket with 4-5 gallons of warm water and put about 1.5oz of my favorite concentrated APC. Before pad gets dunked in solution i spray the pad with some diluted APC and agitate with a soft bristle brush. Then i dunk and let sit overnight and then toss in the washer with all my towels and MF detergent. Sometimes i rinse two times but most of the time done have to and my pads always come out fresh and clean.

 

[snowking724]

Did the washing machine/oxiclean have any effect on the loop backing?

Nope, I used the hottest water I could for the pre soak and then used cold water in the wash. I should mention I have a top loader, HE washer with no agitator to beat on the pads. I would probably still use my washer if it had the agitator but thought I'd share.

 

[TimmyG]

I'm ready to just give in and order the pad washer. It's a PITA to clean the pads by hand especially after using a whole bunch of them on a detail. My current method is CG Pad Wash detergent with distilled water and agitation with a pad conditioner, then rinse heavily, then dry on a grit guard.

 

[Robert8194]

I'm ready to just give in and order the pad washer. It's a PITA to clean the pads by hand especially after using a whole bunch of them on a detail. My current method is CG Pad Wash detergent with distilled water and agitation with a pad conditioner, then rinse heavily, then dry on a grit guard.

I don't think you will be disappointed. I admit I may be the laziest person on the planet but it just doesn't get any easier. We used the pad cleaner in the classes and boot camp and I was sold. It does a great job and the machine gets to do all of the work.

 

[ski2]

I try to keep it simple: Clean them on the fly with a terry towel and denture brush during use. When I switch to a fresh pad--soak the used pad in a weak Dawn solution. Final cleaning with Dawn Power Disolver ($2.83 per bottle at Walmart) and plenty of running water. To dry place between layers of a thick terry towel on the floor and step on each pad--hate the thought of twisting or wringing the pad. Almost dry enough to use immediately but leave them velcro up overnight on an open rack.

 

[addysdaddy]

snowking, i'm loving your results and will HAVE to give it a try. I have a couple of pads to experiment on to see if I can breathe new life into them. I buy the Oxi-clean at Costco so I have a ton of that - use that on my MF and that does a great job as well.

 

[addysdaddy]

Hey Mike, I bought a couple of extra grit guards and use them as drying racks. However once completely dry, I then place them into a zip lock bag to keep them clean - is that bad for the pads?

 

[sahrcar]

Just for kicks, and a good rinse I sent them through the wash with OxiClean and an extra rinse. They look almost new. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

I agree! Ive always struggled to get the cleaning solution out of my pads in a timely fashion and recently thought of doing the same thing. Why spend several more minutes trying to get cleaning solution out of the pad when the washing machine cycle can do that for multiple pads at a time. At this stage, I had already presoaked them and prescrubbed them so all the filthy gunk was already out of the pads so the ladies of the house wouldnt be complaining when I put pads in the washing machine. I added the oxiclean to the cycle and the end results were the cleanest pads I've ever had in my 3 years of detailing.

Im using this method from now on!