Hydro Tech Pads...

alko

alko

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So I've discovered the wonders of these Hydro Tech pads using the Wolfgang TSR. I've seen alot of posts where people are say good things about these pads. For those that use these pads, how long are they lasting you?
 
do you have the 1.25 or the 7/8 in thick ones?

I haven't tried them yet but my LC flats (I originally got 2 each of orange, white, and black) are still going strong after 2 corrections and about 5 paint cleanings...

I have some cp flats that I'm saving for the spring... thought about getting some HTs during the wolfgang sale but never got around to it.
 
I have the 1.25 pads. I may look into getting the flat pads, but I need to use what I have. I am curious, though, to see how long these pads are lasting.
 
I think there are a lot of factors such as pressure, speed, products, paint hardness, ect.
 
how are you cleaning them? Since I only have 2 of each, I swap them out once I'm half through the car and clean on the fly in between using a terry towel. Even when I swap them, the plate is only warm, never hot to the touch...

I remember reading that in some ppl's opinion, using a stiff pad brush to clean contributed to premature wear.

I think that extra thinness does help by reducing the amount of pressure you need to exert to get a given amount of correction.
 
I'm cleaning on the fly using a good quality terry towel. I will take the brush and lightly clean the pads, focusing on the edges as i notice alot of dust build up on the edges. The first pad I used, I was focusing alot of attention on the middle. I can tell I screwed that pad up. I also notice that alot of product gravitates to the middle. I am not over saturating the pad, only using 3 pea size on the pad. If i use 4, then thats too much causing a significant spin degredation. I was cleaning the pad after every other section-which to me is extremely time consuming. I had to wonder how everyone was able to do a full correction in a day.
 
:bump: I'm bumping for other's response. OMG...my first bump! I really want to know if others are having this problem.
 
I posted this pic in my first thread that the Tangerine HT pad collapsed I cleaned the pad and it didn't change. We came up with it might have been too saturated and the heat caused it to collapse. The cyan HT pad came in contact with the sharp edge of a GM symbol even though it was taped and as soon as I picked up the pad to try to avoid it it blew up into pieces. LOL Those was my first experience with a DA since then I moved down to the 5" BP and 5.5" pads still HT pads learned and changed my technique and had success and think I have it down pretty good now done my car, a pair of headlights and some wet sanding and polishing since.
bufferpads002.JPG
 
I used all three color pads today . I would say I get 2 maybe 3 cars out of the Cyan pad I was using Wolfgang TSR I also use them with 105 the Cyan really don't last to long . I use them on my Flex 3401 the tangerine pads last a little longer . They really need to be bone dry when you use any of the Hydro Tech pads or you will run into trouble as you all ready experienced.
 
ryanmcg1 said:
I posted this pic in my first thread that the Tangerine HT pad collapsed I cleaned the pad and it didn't change. We came up with it might have been too saturated and the heat caused it to collapse. The cyan HT pad came in contact with the sharp edge of a GM symbol even though it was taped and as soon as I picked up the pad to try to avoid it it blew up into pieces. LOL Those was my first experience with a DA since then I moved down to the 5" BP and 5.5" pads still HT pads learned and changed my technique and had success and think I have it down pretty good now done my car, a pair of headlights and some wet sanding and polishing since.
bufferpads002.JPG
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O...M....G!!!! I would have pee'd alittle if that happen to me. My tangerine pads look like yours. Nick said that once they start caving in, thats it...to toss them.


Harleyguy said:
I used all three color pads today . I would say I get 2 maybe 3 cars out of the Cyan pad I was using Wolfgang TSR I also use them with 105 the Cyan really don't last to long . I use them on my Flex 3401 the tangerine pads last a little longer . They really need to be bone dry when you use any of the Hydro Tech pads or you will run into trouble as you all ready experienced.
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I tried to make sure they were alittle damp but not dry. I was afraid of dry buffing if I used anything less than three pea size drops. Did you also experience dusting when using with TSR? I'm seeing a little bit of dusting. OAN...hope you're enjoying your Birthday!
 
I only have experience with the thin hydros. I'd say two cars max with the cyan. I used 4 cyan pads on a a car with hard clear and had to throw 2 of them away after only one use. I was practically standing on the machine to get any correction. Tangerine last a little longer. I haven't had a crimson need to be replaced due to wearing out. I just couldn't clean everything out of it.
 
With this issue with the HT pads with multiple people when I went to 5.5" pads I did go through 1 more Cyan thin pad. Can anybody say how long does the LC flat orange/white pads last? I want to know if I should make the change and do the orange/white pads do the same correction as the HTs? I do think the HTs cut and finish very well and fast.
 
ryanmcg1 said:
With this issue with the HT pads with multiple people when I went to 5.5" pads I did go through 1 more Cyan thin pad. Can anybody say how long does the LC flat orange/white pads last? I want to know if I should make the change and do the orange/white pads do the same correction as the HTs? I do think the HTs cut and finish very well and fast.
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You are correct the Hydro cut faster but don't last as long as the LC flats . So you have to decided if your time is worth the investment in the Ht pads .
 
Harleyguy said:
You are correct the Hydro cut faster but don't last as long as the LC flats . So you have to decided if your time is worth the investment in the Ht pads .
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:iagree:But for me, time and finish is worth more than a few bucks.:xyxthumbs:
 
These responses are alittle disturbing. Why would they even make a product that doesn't last like that? I don't have all the money in the world to keep purchasing pads like that. Are the LC flats better in durability?
 
I'll take a pic of my LC flats and post tonight.

I'm a hobbyist so just do my car and friends/family. Apart from some staining from soaking with a cobra indigo, they look none the worse for wear. The polishing pads were used the most b/c I did a lot of paint cleanings this summer.

On soft paint, they will last you long time...
 
alko said:
These responses are alittle disturbing. Why would they even make a product that doesn't last like that? I don't have all the money in the world to keep purchasing pads like that. Are the LC flats better in durability?
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The more you use the pad it loses its cutting ability. To save time and effort, do yourself a favor and replace your pads often.
 
TornadoRed said:
The more you use the pad it loses its cutting ability. To save time and effort, do yourself a favor and replace your pads often.
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I get what you're saying...but I have only used these HT pads on my car, and I'm not even done polishing. So far I've done the roof, hood, trunk and right side of the car. All three have started sinking in the middle. Two of them are bad, the third one I think I can get away with on the other side. I still have the left side and front and rear bumpers to do. I absolutely love the cutting ability on these pads but man!...this sucks.
 
TornadoRed said:
The more you use the pad it loses its cutting ability. To save time and effort, do yourself a favor and replace your pads often.
Click to expand...
Do you mean while you are doing a car, or overall? I agree that you should change pads often while you are working on a car so you can laways have a clean pad. But there is no need to trash old pads if they are clean and in tact. I have plent of pads (ht and non ht) that have been used a ton, and still work like new.
 
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