pad cleaning

C

Carl Anderson

New member
I have, for the most part, Meguiar's pads. They say not to clean them with soap and water, but that is what I have been doing for the past few years with no appreciable bad results. I use dawn dishwashing detergent, clean them in the sink, then let them dry. I now have a Makita rotary I am experimenting with, and have become aware that there are other methods of cleaning pads, and that pads may need to be cleaned even after a couple of panels during a detail. I would be interested in how others are cleaning their pads, and whether it would be warranted to purchase a special tool to do this?
 
Here are two products I have seen advertised:



http://www.autogeek.net/padtool.html



http://www.topoftheline.com/detail-pad-cleaning-spur.html



In another thread someone mentioned that the spur tool didnâ€â„¢t really work any better for them than a soft brush. I started to order the brush from Autogeek but the old toothbrush (or my small soft nylon bristle detailing brush) seem to work fine if I get any product caked on. Iâ€â„¢ve also read of using a terry towel on the pad but havenâ€â„¢t had to use that method.



I do like using the rotary to dry my pads; after I wash and rinse I throw them on the rotary and spin it in a big bucket to get the bulk of the moisture spun out of the pads.
 
I have the spur and it is okay, but I think the brush would work better for me. I am always concerned that the spur will tear up my pads. The brush will probably be part of my next Autogeek order.
 
the easiest way for me is RIGHT AFTER im done using the pad i throw it into a bucket of soapy water, usually whatever i have left from washing the car:up
 
I always clean my pads in soap and water. I have never been able to get them clean with a brush. I wash by hand then spin them dry in the washing machine. No problems doing it this way.
 
Eliot Ness said:
I do like using the rotary to dry my pads; after I wash and rinse I throw them on the rotary and spin it in a big bucket to get the bulk of the moisture spun out of the pads.
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I tried this with a PC and it caused the velcro to seperate. I use the washing machine now and it dries the pads just as well but is not hard on the velcro.
 
ive also read i think on bettercarcare.com that if that pad is caked on with the product you can take a dull flathead screwdriver let you pc rotate to get the stuff off
 
I wouldnt use a dull screwdriver. Instead of washing, Id use a Nail bruch, brush used to clean fingernails. It wont shread the pad and will remove material build up. Happy Holidays everyone.
 
How does using a brush remove the product that is soaked into the pad? I have tried this method of cleaning pads and could never get them properly cleaned.
 
PrinzII said:
Has anyone used the Snappy Pad Cleaner from CMA?
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I just tried some yesterday, I had ordered a few packets from Autogeek with one of their Christmas give-away specials.



It says to use one pack in 3-4 gallons of water, so I put about 1/2 a pack in about 1 1/2 gallons. It seemed to clean as well, if not a bit better, than the dawn mix I usually use. After I cleaned my pads I threw in a MF I used on wheels/wells and was surprised how much grime came out by just dipping and wringing a couple of times.



I wouldn't make a special order for some, but if you're getting some other goodies put it on your order and give it a try.
 
LT1Squirrel said:
the easiest way for me is RIGHT AFTER im done using the pad i throw it into a bucket of soapy water, usually whatever i have left from washing the car:up
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Not only the easiest but the ONLY way to keep your pads clean. Its a very easy process.



I have snappy clean, no better than soap and water.
 
Whats the best soap for wool pads? and Foam Pads? regular dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent or Car Shampoo?
 
Mamamia said:
Whats the best soap for wool pads? and Foam Pads? regular dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent or Car Shampoo?
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Either works well. I use Meg's GC or dawn (:scared ) dishwashing soap. Just rinse the pads out afterwards.
 
I use Meg's SoftBuff pads and they've always been cleaned (after every use) in a bucket with hot water and Dawn. I let them soak for about an hour, and then rub the pads for a minute to get any product off/out of them. To dry, I spin-dry them on the PC at 5. After that, they are pretty dry, but I put them back in their labeled gallon-size bags and leave the bag open to allow the pads to completely dry. I usually just come back the next day and seal the bags up.
 
White95Max said:
I use Meg's SoftBuff pads and they've always been cleaned (after every use) in a bucket with hot water and Dawn. I let them soak for about an hour, and then rub the pads for a minute to get any product off/out of them. To dry, I spin-dry them on the PC at 5. After that, they are pretty dry, but I put them back in their labeled gallon-size bags and leave the bag open to allow the pads to completely dry. I usually just come back the next day and seal the bags up.
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I can vouch for putting them in hot dawn water right after use. Let them soak an hour and the polish comes out very easy, perfectly clean sponge after rinse.
 
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