Problem with LC Pads

[Bellydawg]

Don't know if it is me or the way I am using or cleaning the pads, but I have had several that the velcro piece detaches from the pad. This has happened a couple of times with two orange and one white pad during the middle of a detail. These are pads that have only been used maybe six times. With all the talk of the Edge pads, I am tempted to chunk the LC pads I have and buy the Edge system.

Sorry for the venting.

 

[CharlesW]

Don't know if it is me or the way I am using or cleaning the pads, but I have had several that the velcro piece detaches from the pad. This has happened a couple of times with two orange and one white pad during the middle of a detail. These are pads that have only been used maybe six times. With all the talk of the Edge pads, I am tempted to chunk the LC pads I have and buy the Edge system.

Sorry for the venting.

Two things.
1. The vendor where you purchased the LC pads may be able to help with your problem.
2. Going to the Edge system wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Charles

 

[budman3]

I'm guessing/assuming that you have the 6.5" or less sized pads. After so many uses the velcro backing will fail. A few things could have caused this...
1- How many uses have you gone through? (about 6)
2- What do you wash them in?
3- Do you just grab the foam and rip it off the backing plate?

I think that washing them and grabbing the foam when you take it off the BP are the main issues here. I used 6.5" pads and had the same problems. I then bumped up to LC 7.5" pads and have had 0 issues. Now if these problems are with 7.5" or 8.5" pads then there is something defective. I have used my 7.5" ones more than 30-40 times and they are still in great shape with no signs of the velcro wearing out.

 

[CharlesW]

1- How many uses have you gone through? (about 6)
2- What do you wash them in?
3- Do you just grab the foam and rip it off the backing plate?

I think that washing them and grabbing the foam when you take it off the BP are the main issues here.

Grabbing the foam to remove the pad seems to be the easiest way to damage the pads that I use.
I'm using Meguiar's 6.5" Velcro pads and some are about 4 years old. They are gently washed by hand in the sink after an overnight soaking in Dawn. So far, only one pad has ever given me a problem and it was when I removed it from the BP by grabbing the foam instead of the Velcro. I reglued it and have used it about three times since with no further problems.

Charles

 

[Mikeyc]

Just to add my own 2 cents here . . . I totally agree with Budman that it might be the way you're handling or washing the pads which is causing this. However, I agree even more with Charles. I'm sure the vendor you bought these pads from will take care of you, but ditching velcro all together and switching to Edge pads is an even better idea IMO.

After having a few velcro issues myself, I decided to ditch velcro for the Edge 2000 system. I haven't looked back.

Just to add more fuel to the fire . . . I recently held a detailing clinic for my car club. We had multiple PCs and multiple pad kits for everyone to use. Some of these pad kits were velcro and some were Edge 2000 kits. Hands down 100% of the attendees at my clinic preferred the Edge pads. It was simple. The #1 reason stated? The machine vibrates significantly less with the Edge pads.

 

[budman3]

I haven't used the edge system yet but I wouldn't hesitate recommending them to someone. Getting the pads centered isn't difficult at all with a normal backing plate but less vibrations.... that's a big one.

With the pads that the velcro tore off of I emailed the company I bought them from and they basically said I had used up the life of the pads (around 20 uses). Like I said, I then switched to the 7.5" with no issues. Too bad Edge wasn't popular when I invested $$ with the big LC pads....

 

[CharlesW]

After having a few velcro issues myself, I decided to ditch velcro for the Edge 2000 system.

It has been tempting to me, but having the Velcro backing plate and about a dozen Velcro pads makes the change cost prohibitive.

The machine vibrates significantly less with the Edge pads.

This I wasn't aware of. Do you think this is because of the better centering of the pad?

Charles

 

[joe.p]

I'm guessing/assuming that you have the 6.5" or less sized pads. After so many uses the velcro backing will fail. A few things could have caused this...
1- How many uses have you gone through? (about 6)
2- What do you wash them in?
3- Do you just grab the foam and rip it off the backing plate?

I think that washing them and grabbing the foam when you take it off the BP are the main issues here. I used 6".5" pads and had the same problems. I then bumped up to LC 7.5" pads and have had 0 issues. Now if these problems are with 7.5" or 8.5" pads then there is something defective. I have used my 7.5" ones more than 30-40 times and they are still in great shape with no signs of the velcro wearing out.

I also agree with your assement.. I noticed when i had the smaller pads 6" pads with a 5" BP. I think the problem is the BP still leaves an inch or so from the edge of the BP to the end of the pads . the space from the BP to the edge of the pad would be the first to wear. The 7".5" LC concave pad sits in the 6" BP.. edge to edge no room for the pad to fail,also the velco is solid..I wash my pads by hand with AG's pad cleaner and a nylon brush then place the pad between a towel to compress the water from the pad then set it somewhere dust free to completely dry..then return the pads to the bags they came in be sure the pad is complety dry..IIRC,The 5" BP is really 4" 3/4" just shy of 5"..if im wrong please feel free to correct me..if the pads where purchased from AG Jason will assist you with any issues you might have..

 

[Mikeyc]

It has been tempting to me, but having the Velcro backing plate and about a dozen Velcro pads makes the change cost prohibitive.

This I wasn't aware of. Do you think this is because of the better centering of the pad?

Charles

Charles,

When I made the switch I had 7-8 velcro pads. I dropped a subtle hint that I wanted to sell them in a thread here on DC and quickly had PMs from several people looking to buy them from me. Selling them definitely lessened the monetary blow and I'm much happier with the Edge pads.

I think as hard as you try to center the velcro pads it's difficult to get them as exactly on center as the Edge system does. Even a slight off center mounting seems to cause the machine to vibrate more. The reduced vibration was one of the first things I noticed when I tried the Edge Pads. I initially switched because of the poor customer service I have received in the past from Lake Country and because of a few pad delaminations I've experienced. Now that I've switched I've found at least a dozen more reasons why I should have done it sooner.

 

[Bellydawg]

Thanks for the replys. I would agree that the way I removed the pads from the BP may have had something to do with the failures. Fortunately I don't have a huge investment in the pads.

The Edge system could make a wonderful Christmas present from the wife.

Thanks again to all.