Cleaning Polishing Pads? | Stop DAMAGING Your Most Expensive Investment | McKee's 37 Polishing Pad Cleaner Review

[TTQ B4U]

Very nice write up!

I agree that there's likely more in my cabinet dollar wise in pads than my buffers. Towels too. I have tried several types of products and love 3D Towel Clean. It does a great job of breaking up even tough products like HDSpeed that tend to shed water and stain pads.

I soak my pads in a bucket of warm water and solution for a few hours or more then blast them out in the wash basin tub in the laundry room. Once completely rinsed, I spin them in the washer and put them in the dryer on ultra low which is basically just warm air. IMO the tumbling around in there helps free up the dust that otherwise tends to dry an collect and then scatter upon my first use.

Some of my pads are several years old and doing just fine. The only time I really ever need to replace them is when I tear them on an emblem or what not.

 

[dennis hiip]

Question. I'm wondering if its prudent to wash pads using towel clean in the washer after the pad cleaner. Seems like they are both formulated to remove waxes, polishes, etc.

 

[formula guy]

Nice write up. Been using pad cleaner for a long time. But I have always used hot water. I find one of my biggest problem is trying to use the pad to long because of lack of pads. I have ordered more pads now and hope not to use to long anymore. Thanks for your incite on the pads, because they are a big expense and I don't seem to have anyone I know that does this type detailing.

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[sealthedeal]

Given that these pad cleaners are typically RTU and about a tenner, I have mostly been using microfibre wash products as they are designed to tackle compound/polish. It has been working well for me. Since these come in concentrated forms with high dilutions possible, they make it very cost effective. My thought pattern here is that If I can trust them with my microfibres (a sensitive item), I can trust it with my foam and MF pads.

Would you please put this to test in parallel as well? Something like poor boys microfibre wash and/or micro restore . Keep us posted.


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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Given that these pad cleaners are typically RTU and about a tenner, I have mostly been using microfibre wash products as they are designed to tackle compound/polish. It has been working well for me. Since these come in concentrated forms with high dilutions possible, they make it very cost effective. My thought pattern here is that If I can trust them with my microfibres (a sensitive item), I can trust it with my foam and MF pads.

Would you please put this to test in parallel as well? Something like poor boys microfibre wash and/or micro restore . Keep us posted.


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I can understand that mind set as microfibers are sensitive as well.

However the residue is the most important factor. The residue that stays in the pad is what messes them up over the long run. And we do not know how well it flushes out of foam.

Naturally everyone is going to say it does not leave any residue behind, however if i was to wet the pad that i maintained with the dish soap i wouldnt get any foam out of the pad.

The chemist told me that the residue will still linger.

Im no chemist, and i dont have the resources or tools to find out if residue is still left behind.

With the McKee's 37 pad rejuvenator being at such a great price point, after seeing the results from my test i am not going to risk it.

The jar of pad rejuvenator is 20-25$ and one capfull will clean a whole bucket of pads, it is a citrus based cleaner designed for foam.

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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Question. I'm wondering if its prudent to wash pads using towel clean in the washer after the pad cleaner. Seems like they are both formulated to remove waxes, polishes, etc.

You are correct, but look at the response i typed above.

Microfiber wash can be soapy causing foam, and we do not know if residue still lingers in the pad because foam and microfiber are 2 complete different materials.

Every microfiber wash was tested to make sure that the residue comes off microfiber. So we do not know how well it flushes from foam.

If residue remains in the pad it will degrade and dry it out.

Nice write up. Been using pad cleaner for a long time. But I have always used hot water. I find one of my biggest problem is trying to use the pad to long because of lack of pads. I have ordered more pads now and hope not to use to long anymore. Thanks for your incite on the pads, because they are a big expense and I don't seem to have anyone I know that does this type detailing.

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Thanks for reading.

And yes cycling through more pads during a polishing process will pro long pad life.


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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Great information, thank you for sharing. I started using pad cleaners very early on. I also started using a dedicated microfiber cleaner for microfiber towels. Someone posted recently not to use the dedicated microfiber detergent every time. If you have a chance to talk to this chemist again I would be interested in hearing his/her thoughts on microfiber detergent.

Thanks for reading Dave.

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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Thanks for taking the time to do this review, very helpful my friend.

Kyle

Thank you for reading !

Thanks Joe! Great information on pad cleaning. Ive been using the mckees 37 pad cleaner with great results. I also picked up the LC pad washer last year and use it on big jobs with the pad restorer powder and it makes quick work of cleaning the pads.



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Awesome!

I never tried a pad washer yet. They look very convenient.

Thanks for reading.

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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Joe, thank you for another informative review.

You mentioned using pressure washer, but I'm going to assume smushing/squeezing pads, is also a no-no (I'm guilty of doing this with applicators).

Also, I was hoping to see the 'after' of the microfiber pad. You're probably know what I'm thinking - off label for microfiber pretreatment.

Im also guilty of bending and ringing out the pads, so excellent question.

Using hot water and doing this is a no gooo. This can stretch and degrade the foam cell structure.

I still do it a little but no where near to the extent i did.

Now i utilize the microfiber drying towel as i want no part of causing damage to my pads.

So in my best opinion is to take it easy and not so much.

Such a great write up. Thank you Joe!!!

Thank you for reading scottie.

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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Thanks Joe,now I can admit that I have been using a dedicated pad cleaner that is not cheap compared to APC. I have been using XMT and now Wolfgang pad cleaner and was afraid to admit that I believed that the pads felt and looked cleaner. There is always that wiseguy who will say that the same results will come from gas,paint thinner,milk,apple juice......Nice write up. I will try Nick's 37 next when I run out of Wolfgang.

Lol i agree with you wing!

But good for you for paying attention and doing the right thing early.

I dont even want to imagine all the pads i basically ruined by trying to save a few bucks. But it actually cost me more money.

Good for you!

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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

the polishing pad cleaner does work great. i have two bottles. what kind of pads are those you have pictured with the flex. also what size?

All different kinds.

All 6.5 or 7 inch.

Lake country orbital hdo pads
Rupes yellow pads
Boss microfiber pads
Boss yellow polish pads
Boss orange correcting pad
Megs microfiber cutting disc
Megs burgundy cutting foam


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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Nice Joe! Where can I get that brush you have pictured?

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Thank you Jeremy!

Ironically i went to my mother in laws house and found it in her cabinet brand new!

I have no idea where she got it, what it was intended for lmao.

All i know it is soft and the perfect brush for cleaning pads on the fly and cleaning them in the sink!

Thanks Mom!

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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Awesome write up! Thank you!

Thank you for reading kitty.

Excellent write up Joe. The pad rejuvenator works well when pre-soaking a larger load of pads.

How is the scent of the pad cleaner? I had a bottle of the blackfire pad cleaner and that stuff was too strong for me. Felt toxic lol.

Absolutely!

The scent of the pad cleaner isnt bad at all.

Good detailed post ! Thanks for that.
Do you clean the MF pads with this method too or just foam


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After my test, i use designated products for what they was used for.

Microfiber wash for microfiber
Pad cleaner for pads
Car soap for cars

This is a very well written article! Thanks for putting it together Joe.

Thank you for reading hammer!

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[AZpolisher15]

Joe-- Eliminating all variables such as cost, volume needs, etc., if you had a bottle of properly diluted McKee's Pad Rejuvenator sitting next to a bottle of McKee's Pad Cleaner, which would you reach for to clean a pad? The names of these products (cleaner vs. rejuvenator) lead me to believe there's a difference in performance. But the product descriptions allude to them both being "pad cleaners". Are they both equally effective?

I'm not a volume detailer, but I could easily see myself going through a lot more than a 16oz bottle of pad cleaner in a summer. That being the case, is there reason to purchase 3 bottles of McKee's Pad Cleaner or should one simply default to the Rejuvenator due to cost? I bet I'm not the only one with this question

Thanks much for your review. Your time is appreciated.

 

[Sizzle Chest]

Excellent information and write-up. Thank you very much for taking the time to post this!

 

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Joe-- Eliminating all variables such as cost, volume needs, etc., if you had a bottle of properly diluted McKee's Pad Rejuvenator sitting next to a bottle of McKee's Pad Cleaner, which would you reach for to clean a pad? The names of these products (cleaner vs. rejuvenator) lead me to believe there's a difference in performance. But the product descriptions allude to them both being "pad cleaners". Are they both equally effective?

I'm not a volume detailer, but I could easily see myself going through a lot more than a 16oz bottle of pad cleaner in a summer. That being the case, is there reason to purchase 3 bottles of McKee's Pad Cleaner or should one simply default to the Rejuvenator due to cost? I bet I'm not the only one with this question

Thanks much for your review. Your time is appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

If im cleaning 2-5 pads ill use the polishing pad cleaner.

If im cleaning alot of pads im using the polish pad rejuvenator in a bucket.

I still use both products.

If i go on a mobile detail i bring a bottle of polishing pad cleaner.



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[Eldorado2k]

The scent of the pad cleaner isnt bad at all.

I got my 1st bottle of this pad cleaner back when it was a freebie with my Griots Boss Polisher Kit as XM360 Polishing Pad Cleaner... I liked it so much that I re stocked my shelf with another bottle of the new label stuff.

But 1 thing I've always said about it is beware not to use this stuff indoors because it's beyond potent. I only use it outside and hold my breath as long as I can while spraying it..
Blindfold test:
Megs Wheel Brightener@4:1=smile
Megs Super Degreaser@4:1=not the most pleasant, but here goes a smile for the ladies.
Megs D101 straight undiluted=dangit that crossed the line, tone it down please..
Mckee's Polishing Pad Cleaner=Take the blindfold off and ask if you're trying to harm me?!
Seriously wear a mask and use outdoors, this stuff will make you be cautious about inhaling. But it does work at getting pads super clean.




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[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

I got my 1st bottle of this pad cleaner back when it was a freebie with my Griots Boss Polisher Kit as XM360 Polishing Pad Cleaner... I liked it so much that I re stocked my shelf with another bottle of the new label stuff.

But 1 thing I've always said about it is beware not to use this stuff indoors because it's beyond potent. I only use it outside and hold my breath as long as I can while spraying it..
Blindfold test:
Megs Wheel Brightener@4:1=smile
Megs Super Degreaser@4:1=not the most pleasant, but here goes a smile for the ladies.
Megs D101 straight undiluted=dangit that crossed the line, tone it down please..
Mckee's Polishing Pad Cleaner=Take the blindfold off and ask if you're trying to harm me?!
Seriously wear a mask and use outdoors, this stuff will make you be cautious about inhaling. But it does work at getting pads super clean.




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I dont find the smell offensive at all.

And im pretty sensitive to bad smells.

I dont consider it any more harsh than any apc or degreaser i would use.


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[mwoywod]

I dont find the smell offensive at all.

And im pretty sensitive to bad smells.

I dont consider it any more harsh than any apc or degreaser i would use.


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In your write-up you mentioned that all purpose cleaners/degreasers dry your hands out and that is what we are doing to our pads when we use general apc/degreaser. Pad cleaners are not trying to hide the fact that they utilize even stronger degreasers in order to break down oils, waxes, and sealants. You clearly put a ton of time and effort into this so I don't want to be rude, but isn't it a bit misleading to tell people that their APC's and Degreasers are actually damaging their pads and drying them out, and misrepresenting Mckee's Pad Cleaner as something special that doesn't use the same types of harsh degreasers that are drying the oils out of our hands? How else do you think these pad cleaners are breaking down sealants if they aren't using potent degreasers?

 

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

In your write-up you mentioned that all purpose cleaners/degreasers dry your hands out and that is what we are doing to our pads when we use general apc/degreaser. Pad cleaners are not trying to hide the fact that they utilize even stronger degreasers in order to break down oils, waxes, and sealants. You clearly put a ton of time and effort into this so I don't want to be rude, but isn't it a bit misleading to tell people that their APC's and Degreasers are actually damaging their pads and drying them out, and misrepresenting Mckee's Pad Cleaner as something special that doesn't use the same types of harsh degreasers that are drying the oils out of our hands? How else do you think these pad cleaners are breaking down sealants if they aren't using potent degreasers?

Me saying that degreaser or apc drys out your hands was a example for using the wrong product for the wrong job.

Me being misleading? I do not know if you read the entire write up or just skimmed through it. I wrote that very statement that pad cleaner is stronger and more affective at cleaning foam than apc or degreaser. The problem is the residue that remains from degreaser/apc/dish soap. That is what is drying out and degrading the pad.

All purpose cleaner and degreaser was not designed and formulated to clean foam. Polishing pad cleaner is. It is stronger more effective and leaves no residue behind, because it was designed for specifically for foam and foam only. If you was to use pad cleaner on leather or other surfaces it can cause damage being that it was only designed for foam

Rasky earlier talked to Jeff Brown griors garage product developer and he said the following " they utilize surfactants rather then relying on sodium-salt based cleaners which can leave behind a residue"

Again not designed formulated tested for foam. Like i said in my write up you will remove the polish out of the pad however residue will remain in the pad.

Something i did not put in my write up and is a perfect example is microfiber cutting pads.

If you use the black boss microfiber cutting pad you will see after using apc/degreaser/dish soap a white residue on the hairs of the microfiber. Because its black. And no matter what after the fact even the polishing pad cleaner does not remove the residue.

If you use microfiber cutting pads you will notice how the microfibers feel hard and dry. That is from the remaining residue.

Again like i said in my write up you can use gasoline and it will remove the polish, that does not mean no damage is being done.

Dish soap was designed for dishes. Car soap was designed for automotive paint. All purpose cleaner and degreaser. Did not go under multiple chemistry tests to see if they are damaging pads. Pad cleaners sole purpose was to clean pads and pads only.

You can use dish soap to clean your car and it will get clean so why do we use car shampoo?



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