When preppaing a pad, how much is too much, and too little when prepping the pads, and also when applying to a working area? for example. Should there only be 3-4 sized pea drops per panel, or 3-4 sized pea drops per 18x18 section. What are some for sure tell tale signs of too much product on a pad, or too little?
Pad Prep
- Thread starter Lawlmens
- Start date
LSNAutoDetailing
Active member
- Jun 21, 2014
- 3,373
- 21
Hi and welcome to the forum. The simple answer to your quesition (and you'll despise me for this) is, "It Depends". 
It depends on the types of pads, product and even machine. I know when working with a typical DAT compound on a CCS Pad and my trusty PC7424xp, it's acceptable to "butter the pad".
When working with my Rupes System, usually 4 -5 pea to dime sized drops.
The other factor is the pad and the product work together as a system, if the pad gets bogged down with product, it may become ineffective at cutting. When I'm working, I want a balance of PAD and product working together. Typically I go for the 5 pea/dime size drops...
Another thing to consider is changing out your pads often. The general rule of thumb is 6 pads for cutting, 4 for polish, and 1-2 for finishing (LSP).
My last detail was straight out Microfiber Pads. If I used anything but pea sized drops I would have sling everywhere...
Try experimenting... If you do section passes and need more product, it's ok to re-apply product. Again, there are no hard and fast rules...
Many other members will chime in after this reply and offer opinions. You're opt to get more good advice...
Hope this helps.
It depends on the types of pads, product and even machine. I know when working with a typical DAT compound on a CCS Pad and my trusty PC7424xp, it's acceptable to "butter the pad".
When working with my Rupes System, usually 4 -5 pea to dime sized drops.
The other factor is the pad and the product work together as a system, if the pad gets bogged down with product, it may become ineffective at cutting. When I'm working, I want a balance of PAD and product working together. Typically I go for the 5 pea/dime size drops...
Another thing to consider is changing out your pads often. The general rule of thumb is 6 pads for cutting, 4 for polish, and 1-2 for finishing (LSP).
My last detail was straight out Microfiber Pads. If I used anything but pea sized drops I would have sling everywhere...
Try experimenting... If you do section passes and need more product, it's ok to re-apply product. Again, there are no hard and fast rules...
Many other members will chime in after this reply and offer opinions. You're opt to get more good advice...
Hope this helps.
It slings the stuff all over the place?
The machine/pad doesn't run smooth, but uneven, tries to get out of your hand, and you have to wrangle it.
If you can see the compound "crawl" up on the sides up a foam pad and discoloring it, then you've put already too much of it onto the latter. Same thing if you see the compound solidifying and peeling off on the contact surface of the pad. But to see any of these signs, you must have not only overapplied the product, but overapplied multiple times. With microfiber pads you've to look for the fibers developing larger "chunks" and the pad itself getting flat.
However, the best way to avoid pad overload is to clean the pad with a brush regularly after every few passes, because then even if you've overapplied the product, you'll prevent the stuff from accumulating and get most of the excess stuff off it. Also keep an eye on dusting both while working with and also during intermedial cleaning of the pads, because that might also give a clue whether you've overapplied (even though it might also depend on other factors, like compound type and working time).
Also, if you see the product solidifying in the pad's pores, it's time retire that pad for this session, and to change to another one, until this one is thoroughly and fully cleaned with water and then dried.
However, the best way to avoid pad overload is to clean the pad with a brush regularly after every few passes, because then even if you've overapplied the product, you'll prevent the stuff from accumulating and get most of the excess stuff off it. Also keep an eye on dusting both while working with and also during intermedial cleaning of the pads, because that might also give a clue whether you've overapplied (even though it might also depend on other factors, like compound type and working time).
Also, if you see the product solidifying in the pad's pores, it's time retire that pad for this session, and to change to another one, until this one is thoroughly and fully cleaned with water and then dried.
- Thread starter
- #7
Gotcha. I bought a pad cleaner brush today. I did notice the other day as I was playing around with my DA on a 'test car' I only used one pad for the AIO I was using, and towards the end the foam pad started getting clogged up it seemed like, so that's why I bought the pad cleaner brush.