Drying your pads

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Swimmer

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I'm new to the forum and detailing, but after polishing my first car last weekend I think I may have found a novel way to dry your pads after washing them. So here goes:

I had some 3/4" velcro one-wrap, sold at hardware stores in 12' rolls. Since I had three 6-1/2" CCS foam pads to dry, I cut three 6" vekcro straps and fastened one each to the back of each pad I wanted to dry. I then strung them over a line and volla the pads are hanging foam down in mid air to dry vs sitting them on a flat surface. See attached pictures:

1inchwideVelroStrap.jpg
Closeupofbluepadwithvelcrostrap.jpg
Orangepadhangingonline.jpg
 
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I know others probably have better methods. Please reply to let me know if there is something else out there that works better. I can use all the help I can get.

Don't laugh to hard at my first attempt at posting pictures in a thread. :laughing:
 
Not bad, I like that they can dry out of the way.


I lay them face down on grit guards.
 
Swimmer said:
I'm new to the forum and detailing, but after polishing my first car last weekend I think I may have found a novel way to dry your pads after washing them. So here goes:

I had some 3/4" velcro one-wrap, sold at hardware stores in 12' rolls. Since I had three 6-1/2" CCS foam pads to dry, I cut three 6" vekcro straps and fastened one each to the back of each pad I wanted to dry. I then strung them over a line and volla the pads are hanging foam down in mid air to dry vs sitting them on a flat surface. See attached pictures:

1inchwideVelroStrap.jpg
Closeupofbluepadwithvelcrostrap.jpg
Orangepadhangingonline.jpg
Click to expand...






I like it! Good Idea.
 
Now why didn't I think of dat!!!!!!!!!

Good idea.
 
Laugh Hell; that's a pretty slick idea and now I'll being using it too!! :props:



:props: Necessity is the mother of invention!!! :props:
​
 
Cool idea...

Maybe use your clothesline idea with this idea if you want to speed up the drying process...


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.

WringOutWater01.jpg


WringOutWater02.jpg



Press the towel into the foam as you're folding the pad into the towel.
WringOutWater03.jpg


WringOutWater04.jpg


WringOutWater05.jpg



Then squeeze, squish and wring the towel which will force any excess water out of the foam and into the towel.
WringOutWater06.jpg


WringOutWater07.jpg




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.
WringOutWater08.jpg




Not a perfect method but it works...
 
That is a good idea, I always have a roll of that stuff in my van. I use it to bind electric cords after they're rolled up. Also use it for garden hose, power washer hose, vacuum hose and cord. It is really handy for managing the stuff in my mobile rig but I hadn't thought of this use. Thanks for the tip!!:dblthumb2:
 
I like it! Cool Idea.......I have been having issues getting the bigger pads in the toaster.:laughing:
 
If I'm in the middle of a job and need them cleaned and dried, I spin them on high with the rotary. If not, I put them backing side up on the wire racks in our laundry room.
 
A drying rack will work fine for airflow. OTOH, if you don't have a rack, hanging them up is a good idea. I've used Mike's towel method followed by a quick spin on the DA to dry a pad immediately. Generally, I just gently wring them out and put them backing side up on a drying rack.
 
I like the idea! I may have to hang some clothes lines in my garage for this. Right now I don't really have an area that I can lay all my pads out. I end up leaning them on the edge of my utility sink to dry for a few days.

I will have to give the towel trick and this a try I think.
 
"Hon...You have any Velcro in you sewing stuff?"

"Why?"

"Just let me have some, please."

Great idea...thanx!

Bill
 
SeaJay's said:
I will have to give the towel trick and this a try I think.
Click to expand...

Try it SeaJay. I just did it as a test to see if I could wash out a pad, dry it and reuse immediately. You know, in case I run short on pads. Works just like Mike says. I also spun in on the DA at 6 for like 30 sec. Dry as a bone.

I use the drying rack in our laundry room. But if you have wall space near the sink, why not just hit Lowes for a cheap coated rack of some kind and hang it? While the strips and line are clever, a rack's gotta be less work.
 
HeavyMetal said:
Try it SeaJay. I just did it as a test to see if I could wash out a pad, dry it and reuse immediately. You know, in case I run short on pads. Works just like Mike says. I also spun in on the DA at 6 for like 30 sec. Dry as a bone.

I use the drying rack in our laundry room. But if you have wall space near the sink, why not just hit Lowes for a cheap coated rack of some kind and hang it? While the strips and line are clever, a rack's gotta be less work.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's not a bad idea. Only problem is I'm working on getting my house on the market. Trying to de-clutter my house in between details and working full time...so that would just be another thing I'd have to remove and fill holes.

May have to move all my detailing stuff to my mothers 2 car garage...much bigger than my tiny 1 car garage.
 
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