Problem with new Grit Guard Pad Washer - Is it me?

[PM5C]

Got a chance to use my new Grit Guard Pad Washer for the first time today after watching umpteen videos online. Cleaned pads with Rupes 21 Mk II and Griot's 3" Random Orbital.

I set up the washer per the instructions, but the problem I immediately encountered is that my polishers do not extend deep enough into the pail to enable the pads to make anything more than partial contact with the scrubber, and that's with the polisher at an angle. Consequently, my results were far less than expected. No way I could get the pads flat against the scrubber, which led to lousy rotation, sub-par cleaning.

I can't believe I'm the only person to encounter this issue. I was thinking I'd have to put something at the bottom of the bucket to raise the entire grit guard mechanism and fill the bucket with water higher.

What am I missing? :help:

Thanks!

[Markymapo]

I noticed the same issue as you therefor as you have found out one must angle the polisher with pad which in my case using a Flex polisher allows for good contact with the scrubber surface (I do have to keep the opening slightly more open than the instructions recommend. Then to spin dry I raise pad off the scrubber and close the baffles as recommended. It did take some playing around to get it working correctly (play around with the water level, but safety first)

[Mike Phillips]

I'll try to help,

I understand what you're saying about the underside of the tool body hitting the top of the lid preventing the pad from extending all the way into the bucket to make contact with the grit guard insert.

That's why I use an extension on a rotary buffer like I show here from 2012, the video is from 2010 :laughing:


Video: Tip for cleaning pads in a pad washer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/48333-video-tip-cleaning-pads-pad-washer.html)

I took this picture some time ago to show how you can use an adapter or extension on a rotary buffer to make cleaning a pad easier when cleaning pads in a pad washer.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/804/BackingPlateExtension01.jpg


How it works
When using the Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer, the correct technique is to pump the pad up and down against the Grit Gard Insert as this causes the spring loaded water pumps to pump or inject water and/or water and cleaning solution into the face of the pad.

By using an extension you make it easier to pump or move the rotary buffer up and down inside the pad washer without the body of the rotary buffer bumping into the Splash Guard Lid.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/804/BackingPlateExtension02.jpg



This video uses a when cleaning a pad but it shows and explains how the water pumps work and how to pump any polisher up and down against the Grit Guard Insert inside the pad washer.


How to use a Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TulZhDuDbqE



On Autogeek.net

Lake Country Double-Sided Pad Rotary Buffer Adapter (http://www.autogeek.net/double-sided-pad-adapter.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/LakeCountryRBExtension.jpg


Optimum Double-Sided Pad Rotary Buffer Adapter (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-rotary-adapter.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/OptimumyRBExtension.jpg




I'm guessing you don't have a rotary so here's a tip for using the RUPES 21, simply use a more exaggerated up and down movement and a faster up and down movement. This will flush more of the cleaning solution into the pad and help with whatever contact you can get with the face of the pad and the grit guard insert.

Another option would be to get an interface pad, or two and attach these to your backing plate and then attach the pads to the interface pads.


Here's some pictures of what interface pads look like and how they work from a reply I wrote for boat detailing.



Which pad should I use for AIO Marine 31 Polish/Wax? (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145)



http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_003.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_004.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_005.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_006.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_007.jpg



We do stock a Meguiar's and a 3M interface pad but these are both 6". The hook and loop matches but in order to use it you would have to take some scissors and cut it down a little.

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_008.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_009.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_010.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/526/Thin_Purple_Foamed_Wool_pads_011.jpg



Not sure if any of the above helps... but I'm trying...



:)

[PM5C]

Hi Mike:

Thanks for your helpful post. I wouldn't be a certified Autogeeker if I hadn't watched your video and many others before buying the pad washer ;).

I like your idea about the interface pads. I will look into that. I will also take Markymapo's advice above and play around a bit with water height to get a better result.

I also spoke this morning with Luan at Grit Guard (btw, she thinks you are Da Man!). She suggested putting another grit guard under the Support Base to elevate all the innards. The Grit Guard brand is too high to make this practical, but I have some CG cyclone guards that are only 1.5" high, which just might do it. If that works, it will make mid-polishing pad cleanings a breeze.

Thanks again for the suggestions,
Peter

[Mike Phillips]

I've never tried the "Interface Idea", it's just an idea that came to me while thinking about your situation.

I'm so busy with other things this week I thought I would throw the idea out there versus try it. If you like, I'll send you a couple of interface pads and let you do the testing and see if it helps.

I show the Grit Guard Pad Washer at all my classes and it is an effective way to clean pads.

PM me your shipping address.


:)

[Me Time]

Mike,

What speed do you put a rotary on to use with the Grit Guard Washer?

Thanks

[JustJesus]

She suggested putting another grit guard under the Support Base to elevate all the innards. The Grit Guard brand is too high to make this practical, but I have some CG cyclone guards that are only 1.5" high, which just might do it. If that works, it will make mid-polishing pad cleanings a breeze.

Thanks again for the suggestions,
Peter

Peter, and thank you for posting this thread and sharing that tip as well. I don't own a pad washer, but sometimes do think about getting one.

[Mike Phillips]

PM me your shipping address.




Sent today.


Sorry for the delay, Friday, Saturday and Sunday was my 3-day class, Monday I did IDA Skills Validation testing for detailers and then Tuesday the boss gives me the day off.




Mike,

What speed do you put a rotary on to use with the Grit Guard Washer?

Thanks




Low speed. I think on the FLEX PE14 I lock the speed lock and the lowest speed in locked mode is 600 RPM, but you can go to 1000 RPM and even higher if that's the slowest your rotary will go.

The deal is with a rotary, you've got LOTS of power that you don't need to flush the pads out.

:)

[PM5C]

Peter, and thank you for posting this thread and sharing that tip as well. I don't own a pad washer, but sometimes do think about getting one.

I have to say, that even with the not-as-expected experience I had as a first-timer, it was a vastly superior experience to spending 10 minutes hunched over my kitchen sink scrubbing with a pad cleaning brush and inhaling cleaning solution fumes.

[JustJesus]

I have to say, that even with the not-as-expected experience I had as a first-timer, it was a vastly superior experience to spending 10 minutes hunched over my kitchen sink scrubbing with a pad cleaning brush and inhaling cleaning solution fumes.

Sounds like me. Except, I use the bathroom sink. And it's usually more than 10 min for me. I'll keep the Pad Washer in mind for Christmas time. :)

[PM5C]

I've never tried the "Interface Idea", it's just an idea that came to me while thinking about your situation.

I'm so busy with other things this week I thought I would throw the idea out there versus try it. If you like, I'll send you a couple of interface pads and let you do the testing and see if it helps.

I show the Grit Guard Pad Washer at all my classes and it is an effective way to clean pads.

PM me your shipping address.


:)

Hi Mike:

I had a chance to try the "Interface Ideatm" today and it worked well. I was able to clean the pads faster and easier.

Using the 3 interface pads together in a stack allowed me to have the pad that needed to be clean go 1.75" deeper into the washer, which made all the difference. I kept the water height at it's recommended level of approx. 1/4" above the grit guard when the guard is pressed.

In this photo, you can see the Bigfoot 21 without the interface pads, with the white foam pad just resting slightly above the guard inside. You can see that the bottom side of the handle is touching the top of the pad washer.

68207

In this photo, using the interface pads with the BigFoot actually resting on the grit guard inside, you can see how much space there is now under the handle. Plenty of space available to depress the grit guard and get some cleaning solution on the pad.

68208

Here's a "before" shot of the white Rupes pad that I used to apply Cherry Wet Wax which is -- wait for it -- pink.

68209

Here's the "after" results. The only thing that remains is the staining from the liquid wax.

68210

Thanks again for your brainstorm on this.