Have often do backing plate velcro need changed?

SilverLexus

SilverLexus

Super Enthusiast
I have been using a backing plate from Megs on my PC and the velcro is worn out. I use Megs and Lake Country pads mostly....is there some wear and tear expected on these? The velcro mating is just not gripping any more. :(
 
This is the exact reason why I have a spare one to hand - I've no idea if/when it's going to give up, but I get the feeling it will go from fine to facked in an instant!



Ben
 
I've had my PC for about 10 years now. Just this past weekend, the velcro gave up on my 2nd backing plate.



The first one lasted about 7 years, and the replacement lasted only about 3 years.



(And yes, once the velcro lets the pad slip, the degradation of the velcro is progressive, and almost logarithmic - once it starts slipping, you MIGHT be able to finish the car . . . buy you've got to slow the PC to do so)
 
I'm certain that the length of time that the backing plate lasts depends on:

1) the number of times/length of time used

2) the speed(s) used

3) the abrasiveness (resistance to spinning) of the products used

4) the condition of the paint (rougher paint means more stress on the pad)

5) amount of pad saturation (pads where the product has soaked through to the backing will not stick as well)

6) etc, etc, etc.



My PC gets used about 10-12 times per year, on cars and the family boat. I would be pro detailers go through backing plates at a pretty good rate (another consummable supply).
 
The theory of the plate "going" early may be a result of improper PAD washing. The velcro on back of the PADS may be wearing out :nixweiss This may lead you to the thought that it's the plate that is going bad.



My backing plate has not really worn out because every time I put on a brand new pad, it sticks real well. When I use an old pad, there is less stickiness.



I notice when I work at high speeds, the plate heats up and then the pad won't adhere and I have to switch to a new pad.



Maybe if you bog down the machine a lot, it crushes the velcro stickies on the plate making it harder to adhere to the pads :nixweiss



Does a brand new pad stick real well?
 
"My backing plate has not really worn out because every time I put on a brand new pad, it sticks real well. When I use an old pad, there is less stickiness."



You may be on to something. It could be a pad issue as well. I'm just soaking in WunderWasche.
 
I couldn't tell you for sure :nixweiss



Just when I think my backing plate is gone, I stick on a fresh out the package pad and it sticks like glue!



I remember your pic of your plate falling apart! I have not had that happen to me.
 
I think Spilchy is right. Even though some of my older pads were not sticking very well, brand new pads were. I have the original backing plate I got with my PC through Autopia and a Meguiars backing plate. The original plate is fine although you can see some light wear in the velcro but the Meguiars backing plate is about at the end of its useful life...but new pads still stick a lot better than older pads. I'm going to order a Propel backing plate so I have a spare. Of course, I probably use my PC a lot more than the average enthusiast so one year wear for me may be several for the non-professional.
 
This is my first post as I am new to this site. I was on the phone with a Meguiars rep last night asking some questions about #80 and #83. I asked him about how I should wash my pads(bought those from Patrick at Excel),and he told me that they do not recommend washing the pads with water because it will mess up the backing that sticks to the velcro on the backing plate over time. I guess it makes some sense. He said to use a brush or MF towel to get leftover polish off and make sure to use same product on same pads.
 
If you only clean them with a brush, you don't get them very clean. I always soak/wash my pads in warm water and Dawn. They get very clean, and I've yet to have any problems with my Propel pads or Propel backing plate. I admit it's been less than one year though.
 
How could the backing plate wear out??? I don't think the rought side of velcro could really ever wear out? From past velcro experiences, it's always the soft side that wears out and never the rough side.
 
I think that the velcro on the backing plate wears out due to slippage of the pads building up heat between the pad and the backing plate.



On the plates that have failed, it appears that the plastic of the velcro has actually melted into blobs (no longer the normal shape).



Believe me, when the velcro is shot, NO pads stick . . . if you lay a new pad on a table, stick the velcro backing pad onto it (as you would normally attach a pad), and lift the PC, the pad remains on the table. There's no stick whatsoever once the velcro is shot.
 
"If you only clean them with a brush, you don't get them very clean."



I soak mine overnight in Sonus WunderWasche. It works very well.
 
fun69mach1 said:
This is my first post as I am new to this site. I was on the phone with a Meguiars rep last night asking some questions about #80 and #83. I asked him about how I should wash my pads(bought those from Patrick at Excel),and he told me that they do not recommend washing the pads with water because it will mess up the backing that sticks to the velcro on the backing plate over time. I guess it makes some sense. He said to use a brush or MF towel to get leftover polish off and make sure to use same product on same pads.
Click to expand...
I think the rep you spoke to was thinking about the meguiars pads. Maybe you call patrick and ask him what the manufactuer of the pads recomends. I know that the 7.5 Lake Country pads have no problem with water.
 
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