Optimum Polish Users: How do you wash your pad?

I

imported_artikxscout

New member
Last week, I tried washing all my LC 6.5 inch pads using hot water and dawn. Every polish came out except for those that had Optimum Polish on them.



Question: How do I clean out the Optimum Polish off my pads. Last resort is to use my finger nails to get ever bit off, but it doesn't seem that water is effecting it. It would look clean, and then when i push into the pad, the OP would just come back to the surface.
 
I either use that powder pad cleaner many suppliers sell, or white wall tire cleaner to clean all my pads... including Optimum. haven't had a problem.
 
When Dawn fails to get something out I usually step up to an APC. I use the old formula Castrol Super Clean which is pretty strong stuff, but I'm sure there are other APC's that would cut the Optimum.



You might want to try some of the citrus based pad cleaners like the DP brand. I haven't tried it on Optimum yet, but it should help cut through it.
 
I've had good luck with this product:



autogeek_1926_9747963




I let it soak for about 15mins, squeeze the pad, and maybe a little bristle brush to dislodge dried chunks. Rinse and then squeeze excess water out.
 
I use some blue liquid mystery soap in the basement, my wife forgot what is is. I soak thouroughly then keep kneading with my thumbs to keep getting the deep down stuff to the surface. Then wipe it off with a paper towel until clean.
 
artikxscout said:
Last week, I tried washing all my LC 6.5 inch pads using hot water and dawn. Every polish came out except for those that had Optimum Polish on them.
Click to expand...



Weird... that's how i usually clean my pads, too. Last weekend I cleaned some that had OP on them, and the dawn cut through it with no problems.
 
i second the dp brand polishing pad cleaner. especially when you let your pads soak . . . it does a great job of breaking down he polish and it practically flows out of the pad when you rinse....
 
I used diluted( read very diluted) simple green. Works like a charm and is really inexpensive.





JJ
 
J.J. said:
I used diluted( read very diluted) simple green. Works like a charm and is really inexpensive.





JJ
Click to expand...



Oh i also tried using simple green, still didn't break down the op polish. Maybe i'll try soaking them a bit longer... :nixweiss
 
Well, I use OP almost exclusively and it seem to work very well for me. I find it odd you've had a different experience. I did soak mine for awhile however. GL



JJ
 
evenflow said:
I throw all of my pads in the washing machine. No problems as of yet.
Click to expand...





i have been wanting to try that, im just afraid of the savage residue that would be left on the machine drum . . . have you encountered any problems . . . do you rinse the bulk of the product out first . . .



my method of searing hot water and simple green followed by 3 minutes of rinsing per pad works well, actually it is perfect IMO - when im done you cant see or even smell any residue form the APC or polish . . . but it takes about a half hour for me to clean 5 pads . . .



thoughts . . .
 
I use this from Hi-Temp. I get it from TOL.



tolae_1925_24428612




Mix 2 gallons of water with a couple of ounces of this, drop the pads in and squeeze the solution through a few times then let them soak. Some times overnight if I get busy and forget. Pads come out clean even when using OP or OC.



Best part is I can use it to clean panels while polishing and for stripping wax.



MorBiD
 
hm... you know what, i like the idea of squeezing it a little bit and letting them soak. My white pads and megs finishing pads soak up water like crazy.



Oh also, i figured out that when i used NXT wax on the polishing pad, it's having the same problems as the OP that it's getting stuck inside the pad. I'll try soaking it over night with simple green first, if that doesnt work, i'll try "purple power?", then if that doesnt work, comes DP or the "klean paint cleaner"
 
I could never get my finishing pad with NXT to be clean. Then one day I bought a bunch of pads from TheFiveO, and I had a few pads of my own to clean too so I figured what the hell, and threw it in the washer. All my pads came out clean, like new, even the finishing pad with NXT that I could never get completely clean.



There's been no mess in the washing machine either. After I washed it in the machine, I let it air dry overnight.



The only lesson (so far) I have learned from using the washing machine is to not use the hot setting. Warm is fine, but HOT can possibly melt the glue that's holding the velcro backing to the foam. I've also been washing it on the regular setting. I didn't bother trying delicate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top