how long do pc pads last?

R

raymond_ho2002

New member
I am trying to determine how many extra pads i should get..



How long do your yellow, white, and orange CMA PC pads last? How many sessions and total hours would you get in on each before you toss it?



Thanks.
 
I've had pads last for 2 years before. I polish more cars than average too. My yellow pad probably goes over 40 - 50 cars a year. My grey pad probably goes over at least twice that. My backing plates wear out before my pads do.
 
I am the opposite, my pads wear out in half a summer. The backing plates are indestructible.



Jngrbrdman - could we confuse this guy anymore, two posts and both are night and day, DOH
 
I'm wondering if it has anything to do with personal PC technique. Do you guys really stand on your PCs when you polish, or just apply light weight? Do you frequent the higher speed settings often, or use some even mix of high and low speed?



Let's leave washing method out of the equation for now. ;) This could get interesting...
 
Since I'm almost ready to make the first use of my pc, what technique do you use? Hard or soft pressure? What speed?



:nixweiss



TIA



:bow :bow :bow
 
Don't ask me, I've hardly used mine yet! :p I just know how to buy stuff for it. :D



Check out Alboston's PC article in the Articles forum and in my PC Accessory thread is a link to Geekysteve's excellent PC use article over at Roadfly. Also maybe run a search for DavidB's PC video. Hope that helps.



PS: Try not to hijack other people's threads in the future. ;) We've all inadvertently done it now and again, but it's still a :nono
 
One set (two polishing/one finishing) of mine are as old as my buffer. So probably about 3-5 years old. They are still fine.



How do your pads fail? The foam breaks up, or they get dirty and won't come clean?
 
I used to apply a good amount of pressure onto my PC. I probaly use my machine harder than you guys but it's nice to know what everyday use as well as heavy use will result in.



Put it this way, I was using a PC on cars that I should of used a rotary and compound on...... :rolleyes:
 
Same experience as Joe here. One of my yellow pads is disintegrating by shedding chunks of foam. It's done. I have used heavy cut cleaner, SMR, and DACP with it, on about 15 cars. 5 of those were heavily oxidized, non-clearcoated cars. I really lean on my PC and only using speed 6.



If it's something easy, I just do it by hand.
 
Yeah, I think I'll be moving on to a rotary soon too. The PC is great for moderately well taken care of cars, but for neglected cars, it's a lot of work.
 
PC + speed of 6 + yellow pad + 3M Fine Cut rubbing compound.



Is now even as strong as



DeWalt + 1,300 rpm + foam finishing pad + Meguiars Swirl Remover.
 
i have ruined 2 white pads and 1 yellow in less then 1 year i think it was because of my washing method. i was using about 1/2 a cup of wisk or tide and about 2 gallons of very hot water and allowed the pads to soak for 2 days in that mixture and then 1 day in clear water. my pads seemed to firshen loose materilal and then the velcro pad seem to begin to separeate
 
I actually keep quite a few of my "loose" items in ziplock bags.... I figure it's the best way to keep things sterile! :D
 
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