Dr_Pain
New member
- Nov 28, 2012
- 2,196
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In case you missed the other two reviews
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/62814-review-homemade-soap-microfibers.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/64110-review-part-deux-homemade-soap-wax-applicators.html
In this installment I am:
1) Following up on a previous request to check the efficacy of hot water alone
2) Attempting to see if homemade detergent will be effective in cleaning polishing pads.
3) (BONUS) Attempting to clean some dirty wheel dressing applicators brush.
Here are the subjects (and the products they contained)
1) Orange LC 5.5" flat pad used for manual correction of a small scratch that could not be reached by the machines. Product used on the pad was Menzerna 2500.
2) Black LC 5.5" flat pad used for application of Menzerna PowerLock (well saturated and left to dry for 1 week
3) Yellow Rupes 7" pad used for machine correction using Menzerna 2500 (see it in use in the Range Rover Supercharged correction, which took place a week and a half ago http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/64330-let-shine-2010-range-rover-supercharged.html )
4) White Rupes 7' pad used for the application of CG Blacklight on the RR.
5) Yellow Pinnacle foam wax applicator for CG wax
So on to the tests.
TEST #1
The first test was a basic follow up on a previous request to see if the hot water alone would be as effective. I took some 110 degree water (wife was washing at the time, so could not achieve 120 degree water). The hot water alone was placed in a 5 gallon bucket, the white pad which was saturated with Blacklight and dried/cured was submerged in the water and held down with a grit guard. A timer was set for 5 minutes following which I gave the pad a few squeezes. I repeated the process after another 5 minutes had elapsed, and gave it another 5 minutes (and a few more squeezes). For good measure I gave another round, at which point the water was luck warm at best.
RESULTS: FAILED!
As you can see, the pad is still completely saturated. Although I may get some backlash for not using 120 degree water (as per my previous experiment), I can honestly say that from the achieved result (or lack thereof) that an extra 10 degrees would not have made that much of a difference.
So how did it the same pad fair in the bucket of detergent/water (2 gallons with 1 TBSP of homemade laundry detergent)?
I am happy to report that I was as successful with cleaning the polishing pad, as with my experiment with the wax applicators (Part Deux). I will say however that it took a little more "elbow grease" to get the pad clean.
I believe the extra work came from the shear amount of products on the pad (which was deliberately done for experimentation purpose), the thickness of the pad and maybe even the cell structure of the pad.
The pad was submerge and after the first 5 minutes a few vigorous squeezes were given. The pad was submerged for another 5 minutes, and the process was repeated again. As you can see from the picture, the pad was definitely a lot cleaner but you can see from the purplish residue and the hydrophobic spots on the pad that it still had some Blacklight residue.
The pad was submerged again, and in addition to the hand squeezes I folded the pad and gently scrubbed the surface onto itself. After 20 minutes of soaking and about 3 minutes of physical work the pad was clean again. (Results in the following combined picture)
TEST #2
The same procedure (2 gallons of 110 degree water and 1TBSP of homemade soap, 5 minute soak followed by agitation etc..) was used. The experiment included a mixture of thin and thick pads, different manufacturer, and different high quality products (sealant and polishing compounds)
So time to submerge the pads
Upon first inspection, the products appeared to be removed however after wringing out the water, it did appear as though I still had quite a bit of residue left in the pad (several hydrophobic patches and uneven blotches were present). The pad with the least amount of product (orange pad) cleaned up nice and good after gentle massaging. The black pad took a little more convincing and last, but not least, was the yellow pad. Again, I fear that the saturation of the thicker pad may have played a role. It goes without saying that a greater variety of sealant and polishing compounds should be used for testing purposes.
As a side note, I did find it more difficult to remove the Menzerna PL compared to CG Blacklight, despite the fact that the thick pad was heavily saturated with Blacklight
----> Pictures of the results at the end <----
RESULTS
In all, if I was to give a rating, I would rate this experiment as a 8.5/10 (whereas I am 10/10 on my previous experiment). It was definitely not a failure, as it did clean the pads. I did have to deduct a few points due to the extra work I had to put it. Funny enough, I would have to give the same rating to the Wolfgang pad cleaner solution I normally use. Although the Wolfgang is a little more expedited of a process, I find it cost prohibitive compared to using the homemade detergent.
TEST #3
The BONUS test was an attempt to clean tire dressing applicator brushes. The subjects were 2 Carrand Applicators:
1) One applicator brush was used to apply Poorboy's World Bold N Bright
2) One applicator brush was used to apply Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel
IMG_16161 - AutogeekOnline Gallery
Can you speculate as to the results??? This was a pure shot in the dark experiment with no real hypothesis.
The results were good, and disappointing. The PB BnB cleaned right up, whereas the tire gel did not (as easily or fully). Any thoughts on why? My analytically brain did not take too long to speculate that the reason why the PB BnB cleaned right up is that it is a cleaner/dressing, and can be diluted. Wolfgang on the other hand is a gel which does not lend itself to dilution and a bonding polymer. It did clean up easier than my previous attempts using APCs but it was messy. The bucket was filled with "oily" globs, in a ring around it (at water level). The bucket and applicator did clean up, but it was messy
RESULTS
I would give the results of experiment #3 a 4/10 as far as effectiveness on the gel dressing.
FINAL RESULTS
Well, they speak for themselves. After drying overnight on a clean grit guard, you can judge the results for yourself. To conclude, I will continue using my detergent alternative for micros, wax applicators and maybe even my polishing pads.... but I will have to find a better way to clean my tire applicator brushes.
Hope you enjoyed the read! Feel free to ask questions and post your comments
Happy :buffing:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/62814-review-homemade-soap-microfibers.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/64110-review-part-deux-homemade-soap-wax-applicators.html
In this installment I am:
1) Following up on a previous request to check the efficacy of hot water alone
2) Attempting to see if homemade detergent will be effective in cleaning polishing pads.
3) (BONUS) Attempting to clean some dirty wheel dressing applicators brush.
Here are the subjects (and the products they contained)
1) Orange LC 5.5" flat pad used for manual correction of a small scratch that could not be reached by the machines. Product used on the pad was Menzerna 2500.
2) Black LC 5.5" flat pad used for application of Menzerna PowerLock (well saturated and left to dry for 1 week
3) Yellow Rupes 7" pad used for machine correction using Menzerna 2500 (see it in use in the Range Rover Supercharged correction, which took place a week and a half ago http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/64330-let-shine-2010-range-rover-supercharged.html )
4) White Rupes 7' pad used for the application of CG Blacklight on the RR.
5) Yellow Pinnacle foam wax applicator for CG wax
So on to the tests.
TEST #1
The first test was a basic follow up on a previous request to see if the hot water alone would be as effective. I took some 110 degree water (wife was washing at the time, so could not achieve 120 degree water). The hot water alone was placed in a 5 gallon bucket, the white pad which was saturated with Blacklight and dried/cured was submerged in the water and held down with a grit guard. A timer was set for 5 minutes following which I gave the pad a few squeezes. I repeated the process after another 5 minutes had elapsed, and gave it another 5 minutes (and a few more squeezes). For good measure I gave another round, at which point the water was luck warm at best.
RESULTS: FAILED!
As you can see, the pad is still completely saturated. Although I may get some backlash for not using 120 degree water (as per my previous experiment), I can honestly say that from the achieved result (or lack thereof) that an extra 10 degrees would not have made that much of a difference.
So how did it the same pad fair in the bucket of detergent/water (2 gallons with 1 TBSP of homemade laundry detergent)?
I am happy to report that I was as successful with cleaning the polishing pad, as with my experiment with the wax applicators (Part Deux). I will say however that it took a little more "elbow grease" to get the pad clean.
I believe the extra work came from the shear amount of products on the pad (which was deliberately done for experimentation purpose), the thickness of the pad and maybe even the cell structure of the pad.
The pad was submerge and after the first 5 minutes a few vigorous squeezes were given. The pad was submerged for another 5 minutes, and the process was repeated again. As you can see from the picture, the pad was definitely a lot cleaner but you can see from the purplish residue and the hydrophobic spots on the pad that it still had some Blacklight residue.
The pad was submerged again, and in addition to the hand squeezes I folded the pad and gently scrubbed the surface onto itself. After 20 minutes of soaking and about 3 minutes of physical work the pad was clean again. (Results in the following combined picture)
TEST #2
The same procedure (2 gallons of 110 degree water and 1TBSP of homemade soap, 5 minute soak followed by agitation etc..) was used. The experiment included a mixture of thin and thick pads, different manufacturer, and different high quality products (sealant and polishing compounds)
So time to submerge the pads
Upon first inspection, the products appeared to be removed however after wringing out the water, it did appear as though I still had quite a bit of residue left in the pad (several hydrophobic patches and uneven blotches were present). The pad with the least amount of product (orange pad) cleaned up nice and good after gentle massaging. The black pad took a little more convincing and last, but not least, was the yellow pad. Again, I fear that the saturation of the thicker pad may have played a role. It goes without saying that a greater variety of sealant and polishing compounds should be used for testing purposes.
As a side note, I did find it more difficult to remove the Menzerna PL compared to CG Blacklight, despite the fact that the thick pad was heavily saturated with Blacklight
----> Pictures of the results at the end <----
RESULTS
In all, if I was to give a rating, I would rate this experiment as a 8.5/10 (whereas I am 10/10 on my previous experiment). It was definitely not a failure, as it did clean the pads. I did have to deduct a few points due to the extra work I had to put it. Funny enough, I would have to give the same rating to the Wolfgang pad cleaner solution I normally use. Although the Wolfgang is a little more expedited of a process, I find it cost prohibitive compared to using the homemade detergent.
TEST #3
The BONUS test was an attempt to clean tire dressing applicator brushes. The subjects were 2 Carrand Applicators:
1) One applicator brush was used to apply Poorboy's World Bold N Bright
2) One applicator brush was used to apply Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel
IMG_16161 - AutogeekOnline Gallery
Can you speculate as to the results??? This was a pure shot in the dark experiment with no real hypothesis.
The results were good, and disappointing. The PB BnB cleaned right up, whereas the tire gel did not (as easily or fully). Any thoughts on why? My analytically brain did not take too long to speculate that the reason why the PB BnB cleaned right up is that it is a cleaner/dressing, and can be diluted. Wolfgang on the other hand is a gel which does not lend itself to dilution and a bonding polymer. It did clean up easier than my previous attempts using APCs but it was messy. The bucket was filled with "oily" globs, in a ring around it (at water level). The bucket and applicator did clean up, but it was messy
RESULTS
I would give the results of experiment #3 a 4/10 as far as effectiveness on the gel dressing.
FINAL RESULTS
Well, they speak for themselves. After drying overnight on a clean grit guard, you can judge the results for yourself. To conclude, I will continue using my detergent alternative for micros, wax applicators and maybe even my polishing pads.... but I will have to find a better way to clean my tire applicator brushes.
Hope you enjoyed the read! Feel free to ask questions and post your comments
Happy :buffing:
rops: It is funny to me that some APC and pad cleaner sprays smell just like Windex. I guess it is something to "investigate"