How do you clean pads without buying an expensive cleaner?

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2008Mustang4.0

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How do you clean your pads without using an expensive cleaner? Would a diluted Megs APC in a 5 gallon bucket work?
 
That is what I use. I like to thoroughly rinse them out in the sink though. I want to make sure I get all of the cleaner out.
 
For the time being I have been cleaning mine in dawn in my kitchen sink and letting them soak for about an hour before i rinse them thoroughly and let them air dry. I can still smell some of the product on them but there is no visible product left on my pads. I dont have the money at the moment to get a dedicated pad cleaner as i dont use them all the time so dawn will have to do for now.
 
I don't thing a dedicated pad cleaner is necessary. I have not had a single issue using apc to clean my pads and it is much more cost effective. The only pads I clean differently are my microfiber pads. I clean then with apc in the sink then toss them all in te laundry with a little detergent. I feel te fibers come out cleaner and fluffier.
 
Thats a good idea about washing them. Could I do that with the foam pads as well? After a day of detailing I can make a full load of laundry out of towels lol.
 
Here is my car after installing the shaker hood. It hasn't been deatiled in a while, its a DD. Also I just ordered my first DA polisher
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Ahh what the hay, here are some photos I took a while ago. I have since then added many mods (Different front bumper and griller, stripes, GT rocker panels, no chin spoiler.
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:hijacked::nomore: Oh yeah...It's your thread...:laughing::laughing::laughing::bolt:

Just kidding, seriously though, that's a sweet ride!!!

I've been tossing my foam pads in the washing machine for years with no issues. I do the same with wool pads too but I don't mix them with the foam pads in the same load. Did that once and it was a furry mess at the end of the spin cycle. If I only have a few to do I'll glove up and use APC 1:1 and knead the APC into the pad then rinse in the sink and spin the excess water out with my rotary before sitting them velcro side up to dry for a few days.
 
I've recently tried soaking my foam pads in the same solution that I soak my GTechniqC1,OC,CQ final wipe MF's-OPC 5:1.They wash out great and come totally clean.
 
Thanks! She is my baby. Those pictures are only using what I can find at walmart lol. Im hoping I can make her glow after a full detail. Thanks again though for the comments. And thanks for saying I can wash. It looks like APC and washing them will be what I will do.
 
Here is an old video of the exhaust. She is a six, but I think she sounds pretty good.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s1Fj2xAXsE]Grabber orange 4.0 V6 mustang exhaust - YouTube[/video]
 
I used to just run them under hot water and work them clean. I still do that, but now I also put them in a bucket of warm water with CG MF cleaner afterwards for an hour or so. Then I ring them out and put the pad on my DA at speed 6 holding the pad in the sink so that it doesn't fly off or spray everywhere. It's nice having a sink in the garage!
 
I soak my pads in APC and then give them a good scrubbing in the sink. Quick and easy. I have used a pad cleaner, but came back to Optimum APC and it works incredible.

Nice Mustang! Definitely loving the colour ... what a fun car that would be to drive. How do you like the six? I heard Ford is planning on putting the turbocharged-six into the face lifted Mustang.
 
The six is nice, and after modifications she is a blast to drive. I have the older body style with a 4.0. They recently switched to the 3.7 making over 300. I have heard that as well but it seems like it isn't going to happen at least in 2013. They are however making changes to the exterior and cranking out more horsepower out of the GT and GT500.
 
2008Mustang4.0 said:
Here is my car after installing the shaker hood. It hasn't been deatiled in a while, its a DD. Also I just ordered my first DA polisher
photo.jpg
Click to expand...

The shaker looks sweet! I've always hated the way most of the mustang hood scoops look like they are just stick on even though they are a dealer option. This however looks awesome.
 
My method is pretty similar to everyone else. Only difference is I spray the pad with some APC and let it set for a bit then rinse it out by hand in the sink, then let them air dry. I usually only soak the pads that I use for LSP's. I break out the pad washer when I'm doing a full detail and will go through many pads.
 
Before I got my fancy ass pad cleaning machine I did it the old fashioned way.

In the sink. Filled sink with the hottest water I could stand, squirted in a good amount of Dawn, dropped the pads in and let them sit for an hour or so. Then held each pad underwater and squeezed soapy water through each one.
Drained and refilled sink with fresh, warm water and squeezed clean water through them until there was no more soapy residue.
Then rolled them in an old bath towel and squeezed as much water out as possible. Then set them on another dry towel until they were dry.

That method served me well for 20 years. Until I got my new fancy ass pad cleaning machine.
Which does the same job, just faster.
 
I use pinnacle shampoo and a hose to clean them.

They come out nicely clean...:props:

-pat
 
I've been using plain ole' Dawn as well. Seems to work ok, and haven't had any issues yet.
 
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