how to clean foam polishing pads

c5errr

c5errr

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hello there
i just ordered a porter cable and ccs pads kit
and im just wondering if ran out of pads cleaner
what can i use as an alternative (especially in my country we dont have that pads cleaner !)

and one more question
do i have to clean the pad using the polisher (turned on) against a terry cloth after every section of the car ??
 
For years I just used warm water and dishwashing soap. A couple of squirts of soap in a couple of inches of water than soak the pads and keep squeezing the soapy water through them.
You may have to change the soapy water several times.
Then rinse all the soap out my repeatedly squeezing the pads while in fresh water until no more soap come out.
Squeeze as much water out as you can them press the pads while in a towel. The set them out to dry.

Because this is so much trouble that is why I bought a pad washer.
 
I do not even buy foam pad cleaners because they are not needed. Also, you can save some major cash.
Go to your local superstore or wherever and pick up so all purpose cleaner( preferably citrus based) and after your done polishing follow these steps.
1. Rinse in sink
2. Spray liberal amount of cleaner
3.Allow to soak for a minute or so
4. Spray more and agitate with your thumbs
5. Rinse clean
6. Wrap a drying towel around the pad and "squish" it to dry it
7. Go buy something else off autogeek instead of more cleaner :)

Secondly, if you can see some build up of product or anything else on the pad you should. Its not going to hurt anything if you do and it only takes like 10 seconds.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
I use CG pad wash detergent mixed with 16oz lukewarm water. I have an old electric toothbrush that I agitate the with, rinse thoroughly, then dry. It's a pain, yes, but it's also cheaper than a $100+ pad washer.
 
c5errr said:
and one more question
do i have to clean the pad using the polisher (turned on) against a terry cloth after every section of the car ??
Click to expand...


You want to work clean, you don't want any spent product or removed paint building up on the face of the pad. You certainly don't want to add fresh product to a pad with gunk on it.

A good practice is to clean your pad on the fly every other section.


See these articles,


Pad Cleaning

Why it's important to clean your pads often...

How to clean your foam pad on the fly




And in this video I demonstrate cleaning your pad on the fly...

Video: How to remove shallow RIDS and how to machine apply both a paint sealant and a finishing wax

Maybe this one too...

Video: How to buff tight areas plus concave and convex curved panels by machine


:)
 
I just put them in the wash machine with the microfiber towels, I wash them hot/cold.Then let them sat to dry,they still look like new after 6 years.
 
Same here, in the washer they go but by themselves with cold water. If some time is going to pass before I wash them or if really stained they go in a bucket of Oxyclean & water first to soak.
 
Since most of the compound and polishing products today are water based, most all purpose cleaners will do a pretty nice job and dissolving product residue. Saturate, kneed in, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

A pad washer using a citrus cleaning solution does a great job cleaning up these pads. I got a Meguiar's Pad Washer for Christmas and picked it up on sale for $79.00. While this was still higher than it should be priced it was better than the $140.00 commonly seen..
 
BobbyG said:
Since most of the compound and polishing products today are water based, most all purpose cleaners will do a pretty nice job and dissolving product residue. Saturate, kneed in, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

A pad washer using a citrus cleaning solution does a great job cleaning up these pads. I got a Meguiar's Pad Washer for Christmas and picked it up on sale for $79.00. While this was still higher than it should be priced it was better than the $140.00 commonly seen..
Click to expand...

Like I said before,I just wash mine with the MF towels,I don't think there a need to buy a special "Pad cleaner"
 
wooow
thank you guys for all the answers
they're really helpful
 
Just to add, if you are using a 'synthetic' wax (the poly types) chances are those pads won't come completely clean.

Do the best you can cleaning, then mark the pad so to use it only for the 'poly wax's'.

Bill
 
c5errr said:
wooow
thank you guys for all the answers
they're really helpful
Click to expand...


I think you'll find answers and help like this the norm on this forum, be sure to share AGO with all your other car buddies when they have detailing projects.

Be sure to check out the pictures from this thread on Friday, I always share the products, pads and procedures we use to restore a show car finish including cleaning pads.


Pictures: 1965 Plymouth Valiant Extreme Makeover



:xyxthumbs:
 
BillE said:
Just to add, if you are using a 'synthetic' wax (the poly types) chances are those pads won't come completely clean.

Do the best you can cleaning, then mark the pad so to use it only for the 'poly wax's'.

Bill
Click to expand...

You can get them 100% new and clean. You have to use mineral spirits, sometimes followed by IPA. I know a lot of people would rather throw out applicators, which is fine. But I only like to use the nicer applicators and it's much cheaper to clean them than toss them.

Here is an example. It's the only pics I have of this, but I just used this same applicator with PowerLock and it came just as clean.

6abytu8a.jpg


ysa3ady8.jpg


After testing all those cleaners - still stained:

ehynu6ub.jpg


After MS - as brand new:

re2atyqu.jpg
 
APC has worked well for me. Spray on liberally and let it soak in the pad for a few minutes. Then knead real well and rinse until clear.
 
Where can I get good mineral spirits? Seems that here in Cali that there are a bunch of mineral spirit "alternatives" that don't work.
 
The Dish soap and good scrub in the sink always works well.
Apc or pad cleaner is good too.
A tooth brush or pad cleaning tool on the fly is also great.
A terry cloth towel is another approach.
 
I used a MG synthetic wax today along with a few Pinnacle products. Most of the pads cleaned up well using XMT pad cleaner. I am struggling to get the pads cleaned that was used with the MG synthetic wax and the Pinnacle BL sealant. Every time I think they're clean I end up squeezing left over wax/sealant out of the pads.

Next up, citrus cleaner.
 
this will surely help have a look at this thread
www . autopiaforums.com/forums/shine-institute/36133-pac-shows-you-how-clean-your-polishing-pads-easily-inexpensively.html
 
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