Pad cleaning?

**imported_DetailDan** · 05-20-2008,ï¿½10:50 PM

I think it deteriorates the pad. Woolite has been strong enough for me. Warm water and a gentle brush gets everything out.

**BigAl3** · 05-20-2008,ï¿½11:51 PM

Originally Posted by D&D Auto Detail

I think it deteriorates the pad.

i`ve done numerous washes with no sign of deterioration on any of my pads...

**Junebug** · 05-21-2008,ï¿½05:33 AM

I`m with Al, Dawn doesn`t hurt my pads - I hurt my pads LOL! Gotta quit getting so close to sharp objects!

BTW, I spray with Dawn, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse under hot water while I scrub with and old toothbrush. Squeeze dry, between paper towels and let air dry. I use Lake Country and 3M pads.

**Todd@RUPES** · 05-21-2008,ï¿½06:19 AM

I always spin my pad on a rotary to dry it...

My process is like this (it is probably overly anal).

Fill three two gallon buckets with hot de-ionized water.

Fill a lake country pad cleaner (System 2000) with a splash of Meguiars APC and water.

Use either meguiars super degreaser or Pinnacle XMT Pad Cleaner spray.

Start by spraying the pad down with either degreaser or PPC (pinnacle pad cleaner) and massage the product into the pad. Dunk pad a couple times in the first water bucket and continue to massage until water running out is similar in color to the water in the bucket and most of the solution has been washed. (This bucket gets fast quickly and I often rinse and refill it).

Use a rotary and the pad washing machine with APC to clean the solution out of the pad and clean any residue I missed. Then dunk in the second bucket and squeeze until all APC has been removed.

Use the third bucket for a final rinse to make sure all products have been rinsed out and the pad is clean.

Spin on a rotary until dry.

The reason I use three buckets is because the first gets dirtiest, the second gets far less, and the third bucket should stay clean the whole time. It helps me to check to make sure all product and polish has been removed from the pad. The reason for using de-ionized water is because it is a far more effective cleaner. If you ever take a load of laundry after it has been rinsed and dipped it into a bucket of de-ionzed water you would be amazed at the soap and residue that comes off. The clothes will dry much softer as well.

The same with buffing pads, there is a huge difference in not only the softness of the pad when I am done but also how much product and cleaning agents are released.

**Eisen Hulk** · 05-21-2008,ï¿½07:28 AM

So what you`re saying is that I should just send my dirty pads to you, so you can clean them?

Thanks, Todd. :2thumbs:

Originally Posted by TH0001

I always spin my pad on a rotary to dry it...

My process is like this (it is probably overly anal).

Fill three two gallon buckets with hot de-ionized water.

Fill a lake country pad cleaner (System 2000) with a splash of Meguiars APC and water.

Use either meguiars super degreaser or Pinnacle XMT Pad Cleaner spray.

Start by spraying the pad down with either degreaser or PPC (pinnacle pad cleaner) and massage the product into the pad. Dunk pad a couple times in the first water bucket and continue to massage until water running out is similar in color to the water in the bucket and most of the solution has been washed. (This bucket gets fast quickly and I often rinse and refill it).

Use a rotary and the pad washing machine with APC to clean the solution out of the pad and clean any residue I missed. Then dunk in the second bucket and squeeze until all APC has been removed.

Use the third bucket for a final rinse to make sure all products have been rinsed out and the pad is clean.

Spin on a rotary until dry.

The reason I use three buckets is because the first gets dirtiest, the second gets far less, and the third bucket should stay clean the whole time. It helps me to check to make sure all product and polish has been removed from the pad. The reason for using de-ionized water is because it is a far more effective cleaner. If you ever take a load of laundry after it has been rinsed and dipped it into a bucket of de-ionzed water you would be amazed at the soap and residue that comes off. The clothes will dry much softer as well.

The same with buffing pads, there is a huge difference in not only the softness of the pad when I am done but also how much product and cleaning agents are released.

**BigJimZ28** · 05-21-2008,ï¿½09:09 AM

Originally Posted by D&D Auto Detail

I think it deteriorates the pad. Woolite has been strong enough for me. Warm water and a gentle brush gets everything out.

I will have to try the Woolite

but as long as you rinse the Dawn out

I don`t see how it could hurt your pads

I have always used Dawn (at first regular liquid and now power dissolver)

and I an still using my propel pads from a few years ago

**Jscort98** · 05-21-2008,ï¿½09:46 AM

I just use some regular blue dawn dish soap and rub it in under some running water and the pads usually come out clean but ill have to try the power dissolver. To dry them I put them on back on the udm and run it on speed 6 in a bucket to catch the water.