Lake Country Pad Failure? or User error?

[Rob T]

Yes these are LC 5.5 x 1.25 HydroTech pads bought as a three pack....cyan, tangerine and crimson...

BTW I checked the 3" pads that I used with our new 3" Griots DA and there was the same tear starting on the 3" Griots orange polishing pad, we did NOT have this when we did the MAX and I only used it on my ML...so again is it me?....heat? pressure? "poor form"-not keeping the pad ABSOLUTELY flush, bad design? or are these things really meant to be one and done?....I know trying to wash the WG sealant out of the crimson pads is an exercise in frustration and futility!

Thanks for the clarification on them being the hydrotech's. Should have stayed with my initial impression!

These definitely are not supposed to be "one and done" pads. I have some HT pads that I have used half a dozen times and they are still in good shape.

How many pads did you use on the car? Was it the same pad for the entire vehicle?

 

[Maxima Mom]

Could be Charlie, I am also learning what is the right amount of product to use...balance between super saturated and not enough product on the pad...Mike's vidoes are an excelelnt resource for us newbies and so I was cranking at 5- 6 on the Griots for swirl removal with firm pressure...

I was running low on my WG swirl remover so perhaps I was using too little product and that caused the pads to heat and "bind" a little creating the tears...as you say it may indeed be multi factored...seeing that at least one other person has the same issue makes me wonder though....

at the end of the day I am still impressed with the results and its a learning curve for us "hobby detailers"...thats why this forum is SO amazing...great advice and tips with LOTS of support and understanding!
Evan

 

[Maxima Mom]

Thanks for the clarification on them being the hydrotech's. Should have stayed with my initial impression!

These definitely are not supposed to be "one and done" pads. I have some HT pads that I have used half a dozen times and they are still in good shape.

How many pads did you use on the car? Was it the same pad for the entire vehicle?

I have three pads in each color... so I basically split the car into thirds...one pad for each third...not enough change out??

 

[cfd135]

I'll throw my experience into the mix here, although it may not apply to Maxima Dad. After several years of use, the OEM PC backing plate began to separate from the Velcro, causing a distinct pressure point where the Velcro material curled towards the pad. I blew through a few pads prematurely before I replaced it with a Lake Country BP. Those pads were from Griot's, but before the Velcro separation I had no such issues. I now use LC CCS pads, and the only wear I encounter is on the face of the pad. I presume Maxima Dad's equipment is not as old as mine, but others may be helped from my troubles.

 

[Rob T]

I have three pads in each color... so I basically split the car into thirds...one pad for each third...not enough change out??

I think using 3 pads on that sized car is not unreasonable. I may have used 4, but it isn't a huge deal.