DIY Pad Washer

[dbreeze225]

I'm a little unclear because for some reason water doesn't come out as much as it seems you guys are saying. I cemented everything except the tubes going to the springs, but it doesn't seem to have a lot of pressure. Any ideas to make it squirt more water?

hey try a lil more water in the bucket. when i first tested it i got nothing but air and played around with the water level before i got it to the point where water is just below the "grit guard" (when it is pressed down not when its up) but also has to be higher than the pipes that come up (where the spring is) otherwise water wont be able to fill the contraption and u get air not water. also depends on how hard and fast you push down on the "grit guard" (or substitute). i am going to post some pics later today but hope this helps for now by the way you don't need to much water or water and soap solution. all you need is enough to get the pad wet (not damp but also not soaked) and you are not going to achieve this with one press on the springs the way mine is it will probilly get it decently wet in like 6 or 7 pushes on the springs (not 100% on that just estimating haven't had the opportunity to fully clean a pad yet just put together and tested it) i might dirty up a pad today to try it out real good ill let everyone know how it turns out

 

[trashmanssd]

 

[BlueBeast14GT]

hey try a lil more water in the bucket. when i first tested it i got nothing but air and played around with the water level before i got it to the point where water is just below the "grit guard" (when it is pressed down not when its up) but also has to be higher than the pipes that come up (where the spring is) otherwise water wont be able to fill the contraption and u get air not water. also depends on how hard and fast you push down on the "grit guard" (or substitute). i am going to post some pics later today but hope this helps for now by the way you don't need to much water or water and soap solution. all you need is enough to get the pad wet (not damp but also not soaked) and you are not going to achieve this with one press on the springs the way mine is it will probilly get it decently wet in like 6 or 7 pushes on the springs (not 100% on that just estimating haven't had the opportunity to fully clean a pad yet just put together and tested it) i might dirty up a pad today to try it out real good ill let everyone know how it turns out

This^

The instructions for the "official" pad washer still work perfectly for this one. There is also a really useful list of pad cleaning tips on the product page in the AG store, or I pasted them below, with the filling part in bold.

The only thing I would add to the instructions, for the DIY pad washer, is make sure the PVC has filled with water before you start using it. You'll see what I mean...


Pad Cleaning Tips:

• Keep the pad’s Velcro® brand backing out of the water when using the Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer.
• 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.
• 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.
• Always operate the pad washer with the Splash Guard closed.
• 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.
• 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.
• Move the polisher around inside the pad washer to be sure all parts of the pad are cleaned.

 

[flatstick]

great post and nice to see the unit is working well. there has been talk to an upgraded parts list , wondering if there are any plans to do so. want to get started on making a pad washer, just wondering if I should wait for the newer one with a few upgraded parts .

 

[BlueBeast14GT]

great post and nice to see the unit is working well. there has been talk to an upgraded parts list , wondering if there are any plans to do so. want to get started on making a pad washer, just wondering if I should wait for the newer one with a few upgraded parts .

Yeah, I am going to make an update. I'll try to get it done this weekend, just need to take some new pictures and put it all together. If you need yours sooner, I can try to give you a brief description/list of different parts, just let me know.

 

[flatstick]

Yeah, I am going to make an update. I'll try to get it done this weekend, just need to take some new pictures and put it all together. If you need yours sooner, I can try to give you a brief description/list of different parts, just let me know.

no hurry. I can wait until you can get the new parts and pictures together. appreciate you taking the time to help the members out.

 

[BlueBeast14GT]

Hey guys. Sorry I didn't get to put the instructions together this past weekend. I've had some serious stuff going on, and I'm not sure when I'll get to it, but I will as soon as I get the chance.

 

[flatstick]

Hey guys. Sorry I didn't get to put the instructions together this past weekend. I've had some serious stuff going on, and I'm not sure when I'll get to it, but I will as soon as I get the chance.

when you can find the time we will get the updates, no worries rops: take care of the important stuff first. we can wait :dblthumb2:

 

[kfainf]

Thanks to the OP and everyone else for posting and contributing to this thread. I made my DIY Pad Washer this weekend and can't wait to try it out.

 

[kfainf]

Added the Grit Guard Extension to this project. It will get a thorough testing this week end.

 

[BlueBeast14GT]

Thanks to the OP and everyone else for posting and contributing to this thread. I made my DIY Pad Washer this weekend and can't wait to try it out.

Added the Grit Guard Extension to this project. It will get a thorough testing this week end.

Nice job man, glad you got it together! How did it work for you? Did you call GritGuard to get the insert?

Edit: Nice splash guard!

 

[MaStA]

I put mine together today using the plugs for the spring supports that Two3zz used. I need to pick up a gamma lid and some hardware to attempt making my lid like his. What is the best tool to cut plastic without it looking like junk?

 

[kfainf]

Nice job man, glad you got it together! How did it work for you? Did you call GritGuard to get the insert?

Edit: Nice splash guard!

The unit works well. I copied the original PVC parts from your opening posts. I could not find the plugs that Two3zz used for the spring supports. I dropped 3/8" stainless washers into the CPVC adapters to support the springs. They work perfectly. I e-mailed Grit Guard to order the Grit Guard Extension. I ordered two at $4.95 each plus about $3.00 shipping.

 

[kfainf]

I put mine together today using the plugs for the spring supports that Two3zz used. I need to pick up a gamma lid and some hardware to attempt making my lid like his. What is the best tool to cut plastic without it looking like junk?

I cut my lids with a Dremel tool using a rotary cutting bit and a Dremel circle cutter. It worked pretty well.

 

[MaStA]

Thank you for your reply. Also, could you take a measurement from the grit guard to the top of the bucket? Mine seems a little more recessed than I think I would like it. I cut everything exactly as described. Maybe it is where it should be. I tested it with my PC and it looks like it will work but you definitely can't push down very far before the PC hits the side of the bucket.

 

[kfainf]

Thank you for your reply. Also, could you take a measurement from the grit guard to the top of the bucket? Mine seems a little more recessed than I think I would like it. I cut everything exactly as described. Maybe it is where it should be. I tested it with my PC and it looks like it will work but you definitely can't push down very far before the PC hits the side of the bucket.

The grit guard sits right at 2 & 7/16 inches from the top of my bucket. This is with the gamma lid outer ring snapped on the bucket. I would think the gamma lid ads no more than 1/8 inch height to the bucket.

 

[MaStA]

Mine is 2 3/4 inch from the top so I guess mine isn't too far off from yours. Maybe I beat the PVC together harder.

 

[AZpolisher15]

What is actually doing the cleaning of the pads? Is it just the action of the buffer itself on contact with the grit guard?

So, the plumbing just wets the pad and the grit guard "scrubs" it?

Is the plumbing doing any cleaning itself or is its function to simply wet the pad? Thanks- these are cool!

 

[roswell630]

So, the plumbing just wets the pad and the grit guard "scrubs" it? - Yes

The plumbings function is to simply wet the pad when you push downward. You should only have to push down a time or two to get the pad "Damp". The more water, the longer the dry time.

 

[vdubbeet]

That's awesome!
I was like "post #9? What?" I saw the soap tray, then the 9 in the corner, "ohhhhh!" lol
Thank you! I'll definitely be trying this out.

By the way, cshamilton, this is the one I was telling you about ^

Sure, it has been a few years but when I click the link I get a black autogeekonline.net page Any newer links available? Thanks much.