Foam Pad Life Expectation?!?

EWtheDETAILER

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What is your average life span of foam pads? How many vehicles do you expect you get out of each pad when you purchase it? Cutting pads, polishing, waxing/topping pads? I've never paid much attention to how long each one last, usually just as it begins to appears worn I go ahead and order new, but is it really worn out? Brand doesn't matter but feel free to include your favorite brands? I'm personally a big fan of the Lake Country lines with my Flex. Let me know your experiences!

Feed back please :buffing: :dblthumb2:
 
If they are properly maintained they can last years even in the hands of a pro who uses them alot more. Signs of wear would be breaking up of the foam the velcro peeling of the back ect. Make sure you clean them after every use and let them dry thoroughly and they should last you a very long time.
 
avoid hex logic pads. I've had 3 orange pads begin to break down in the middle they start to tear. highly disappointed with them. I'll be going with uber pads and microfiber pads from now on.
 
I noticed that about the Hex Logic pads also. 2 cars and throw away. It was a yellow 5.5 pad. Maybe it was me though. I might have been using too much pressure. I was using a PC 7424XP.
 
That's a great question OP!

I've always wondered myself how long they last for others.
I have a set that are over a year old and still look good but I ask myself do they cut as good as the first time I used them.
There's this guy I know that only uses them once per correction and won't use them again, I thought that was extreme and expensive.

If you only take care of your persoanl car then I guess it's fine to use one and not use it again but for those like myself that corrects a couple of cars per month the cost would become a factor.

Do they lose cut after one use?
 
Tips to help your pads last longer:

1) Don't run them over emblems
2) Don't run them over your tape lines
3) Clean pads during use with a pad brush after every panel, wash with APC and Dawn dish soap after every job
 
Tips to help your pads last longer:

1) Don't run them over emblems
2) Don't run them over your tape lines
3) Clean pads during use with a pad brush after every panel, wash with APC and Dawn dish soap after every job

i thought dawn left a scum in the pads after washing?
 
avoid hex logic pads. I've had 3 orange pads begin to break down in the middle they start to tear. highly disappointed with them. I'll be going with uber pads and microfiber pads from now on.

You do know that Hex and Uber pads are made by the same company, Buff and Shine. Their orange pads are very good.
 
Cutting pads (foam) loose their firmness only after 2 or 3 times being used
 
That's a great question OP!

I've always wondered myself how long they last for others.
I have a set that are over a year old and still look good but I ask myself do they cut as good as the first time I used them.
There's this guy I know that only uses them once per correction and won't use them again, I thought that was extreme and expensive.

If you only take care of your persoanl car then I guess it's fine to use one and not use it again but for those like myself that corrects a couple of cars per month the cost would become a factor.

Do they lose cut after one use?

I agree and am in the same boat....Technically IMO they loose cut after the first use, but yet I still get results 10,15,20 cars later... if anything the pads velcro wears out or rips away from the pad and I pitch it. Nothing cuts like a brand new pad but like you said how do you justify spending the extra $$$ if you only do a couple corrections a month?

Cutting pads (foam) loose their firmness only after 2 or 3 times being used

:iagree:I agree but how long do you run it after the first few times of use and the firmness begins to diminish?

Tips to help your pads last longer:

1) Don't run them over emblems
2) Don't run them over your tape lines
3) Clean pads during use with a pad brush after every panel, wash with APC and Dawn dish soap after every job

I always brush my pads after every section or pannel, and wash with Wolfgang pad cleaner after each job is complete. One key to great results is working clean!


Although the question is still out there... On average how long do you plan on your pads lasting?!? Answers in number of corrections, days, months, years?!?

:buffing:
 
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