Pad washer....worth it?
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oneheadlite
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- Aug 20, 2015
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I'll be honest in that I haven't used one, but I've always wondered how they wouldn't shorten the life of your pads considering you're rubbing them against a square grid.
And then there's the corded tool with a bucket of water factor...
And then there's the corded tool with a bucket of water factor...
JustJesus
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- Oct 10, 2014
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The one i'm using isn't a square grid. It's "ribs" are rounded and quite smooth. With proper technique, i don't see the pads' life being shortened.
I do tend to use my cordless polisher with it
edit: to add to the "bucket full of water factor" - the LC unit is "enclosed" so it's not like you have an open source of water. In the pic below, I do have a bucket of solution for a pre rinse as I had several pads sitting while I waited for my unit to arrive. Normally, it would just be the LC pad cleaner. The cleaning solution from the pad cleaner would run down into a separate compartment below the center piece. So it's not like a "bucket of water" so to speak
TTQ B4U
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- Jan 20, 2016
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The one i'm using isn't a square grid. It's "ribs" are rounded and quite smooth. With proper technique, i don't see the pads' life being shortened.
I do tend to use my cordless polisher with it
edit: to add to the "bucket full of water factor" - the LC unit is "enclosed" so it's not like you have an open source of water. In the pic below, I do have a bucket of solution for a pre rinse as I had several pads sitting while I waited for my unit to arrive. Normally, it would just be the LC pad cleaner. The cleaning solution from the pad cleaner would run down into a separate compartment below the center piece. So it's not like a "bucket of water" so to speak
I just ordered one of those today as I've been putting it off and using a more manual method. Thanks for confirming your thoughts on it.
JustJesus
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opie2
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Hell yes thankyou for all that great info!! Im gonna order the lake country one as well. Also might as well take advantage of the 25 percent off.
I always dreaded the pad cleaning part of the gig cuz it does take some time when you have many dirty pads.
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oneheadlite
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Thank you for sharing! I've not seen that style, I think I've only seen ones like the Grit Guard style. That one had the more square edged grid that made me nervous.
I suppose on the electricity front you could also just run a drill adapter (Griot's has a quick connect adapter that threads onto the DA backing plates for pretty cheap) and use a cordless drill. But like you mention, it looks like it's pretty contained.
MisterSnoop
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- Sep 15, 2020
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Don't think I've watched that video. I'll check it out.
I do have that pad washer. My one comment on it is that the latest version does not have a splash guard and I've gotten a little wet when spinning the pads dry. Might not want to use it by the vehicle. I was actually going to put a splash guard on one side of it.
Oh, and don't forget a GFCI.
I do have that pad washer. My one comment on it is that the latest version does not have a splash guard and I've gotten a little wet when spinning the pads dry. Might not want to use it by the vehicle. I was actually going to put a splash guard on one side of it.
Oh, and don't forget a GFCI.
Silly Rabbit
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- Apr 29, 2021
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So you guys all have way more polishers and pads experience than I do, but I do have experience with being lazy.. haha:laughing: kidding.
I have only taken a polisher to 3 vehicles ever, last summer jumped into this end of the detailing pool from being a 'hand applied guy' for everything forever.
Well as I said, I am new to all this but can tell you I said "well this part sucks" about trying to clean pads after using them. I saw Detail Guardz out of Toronto and bought their system. I didn't want my brand new "I paid alot for this" polishers to get anywhere near water and ended up calling the guys there. Got to talking and feel of them, great bunch of guys there!! I can honestly say cleaning pads is a breeze with this. I use their spray cleaner (it came in the kit I chose to buy) work it in, then use the plunger system. Amazing results, I mean pads come out like they were before I started. I let them sit a day then come back and do them the next day with no solution spray just clean water and the ever so faint smell of citrus from the spray is gone after that round. I was amazed when I first used it, again, you all have been doing this longer than me and seen way more than me, but I keep saying 'How can anyone that does this and has pads to clean not have this??"
DIRT LOCK - COMPLETE PAD WASHER KIT WITH CLEANER – The Detail Guardz | Premium Car Care Products USA
As a test, before I bought all my 'new' detail journey toys last summer I played with Meguiars old "drill attachment" polisher system I bought when it cam out. I never ever tried it, but last year opened it to try it to see how I felt about polishers to "get a feel" to see how I would enjoy it before making a bigger $$ polisher purchase. Got an old truck hood from a friend to play on and used the Ultimate compound/polish/wax with the red/yellow/black pads that go with the system. Those pads just sat for a couple months while I got swept up it spending Visa money on detail gear and products. When I used the Detail Guardz on the pads when I first did a car, I was so impressed with how clean they came out I tried looking for other things to clean. I reached for the dirty Megs pads from now a few months old. I was amazed how clean they came out too!!
I have only taken a polisher to 3 vehicles ever, last summer jumped into this end of the detailing pool from being a 'hand applied guy' for everything forever.
Well as I said, I am new to all this but can tell you I said "well this part sucks" about trying to clean pads after using them. I saw Detail Guardz out of Toronto and bought their system. I didn't want my brand new "I paid alot for this" polishers to get anywhere near water and ended up calling the guys there. Got to talking and feel of them, great bunch of guys there!! I can honestly say cleaning pads is a breeze with this. I use their spray cleaner (it came in the kit I chose to buy) work it in, then use the plunger system. Amazing results, I mean pads come out like they were before I started. I let them sit a day then come back and do them the next day with no solution spray just clean water and the ever so faint smell of citrus from the spray is gone after that round. I was amazed when I first used it, again, you all have been doing this longer than me and seen way more than me, but I keep saying 'How can anyone that does this and has pads to clean not have this??"
DIRT LOCK - COMPLETE PAD WASHER KIT WITH CLEANER – The Detail Guardz | Premium Car Care Products USA
As a test, before I bought all my 'new' detail journey toys last summer I played with Meguiars old "drill attachment" polisher system I bought when it cam out. I never ever tried it, but last year opened it to try it to see how I felt about polishers to "get a feel" to see how I would enjoy it before making a bigger $$ polisher purchase. Got an old truck hood from a friend to play on and used the Ultimate compound/polish/wax with the red/yellow/black pads that go with the system. Those pads just sat for a couple months while I got swept up it spending Visa money on detail gear and products. When I used the Detail Guardz on the pads when I first did a car, I was so impressed with how clean they came out I tried looking for other things to clean. I reached for the dirty Megs pads from now a few months old. I was amazed how clean they came out too!!
dlc95
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- May 18, 2013
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It's significantly cut down how long it takes to clean my pads at the end of the detail, because I'm usually washing them as I go. Once I wash one, I'll set it aside and use the fresh one. By the time the second one needs a good washing, the first one is ready to go.
But sometimes at the end of the day I'll throw then all in the washing machine with some Rags To Riches.
Great too though! My better half loves that I'm not spending a bunch of time washing them in the sink.
But sometimes at the end of the day I'll throw then all in the washing machine with some Rags To Riches.
Great too though! My better half loves that I'm not spending a bunch of time washing them in the sink.
opie2
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- Mar 6, 2021
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They must dry pretty fast for ya then.
The washer eh? How do ypu dry them? I didnt think the dryer worked well for me
I usually spin them out with the rotary then put them on top of the box fan to help dry faster but still takes forever
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dlc95
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They're usually a little damp, but it doesn't bother me.
The washing machine does a really good job of cleaning then.
I had a problem with my old school Buff and Shine Grip Pads starting to "bowl" not sure how because I'm not a heavy pressure kind of guy. But running them through the washer and dryer sprung them back into shape.
opie2
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Went to order mine last night and went to make the payment/submit order and all of a sudden a message pops up saying it is no longer available...out of stock.
I was not to happy in that moment lol
You probly got the last one
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dlc95
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Went to order mine last night and went to make the payment/submit order and all of a sudden a message pops up saying it is no longer available...out of stock.
I was not to happy in that moment lol
You probly got the last one
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Dang that luck!
Well, I may or may not have purchased from another vendor, but I can not confirm or deny. ;]
dlc95
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I like those 25% off sales!
DFB
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I have that one too.
The Lake Country pad washer is most certainly better, but for the amount of polishing I do means the Detail Guardz version is enough for my needs. It seemed to do a pretty good job of flushing out the compound and cleaning residue.
