wool pad cleaning

[02nissanISR]

hey guys just got the entire Megs Solo system, which is really nice stuff btw, but was wondering how to go about cleaning the wool pads. This is my first set of wool and i don't have a spur yet so looking for the next best technique, or really any preferred technique.

thanks :buffing:

[ryandamartini]

I was wondering if you were ever going to post again after your last post when you received your VVB in the mail :D

I usually clean mine with hot woolite solution and then spin it on the rotary fluffing it with my metal brush.

[loudog2]

Washing machine with the foam pads and applicators.

[Mike Phillips]

Gosh I've seen people use screwdrivers before but it's not good for the pad.

You really need to get a Spur and in a perfect world you want to get a pad washer. I can't say enough good things about pad washers, they really do a great job of removing both polish residue and paint residue, (remember when you're compound you're removing paint), and make the pad fresh and clean and ready to go.

I'm as D.O. as anyone and probably more so than most and usually wash my pad after each pass with a product, especially if the temperatures are warm/hot.

Most towns have a PBE store and they usually stock Spurs so check with them and make a trip to pick one up.

:)

[02nissanISR]

haha good one ryan. yeah had some issues learning how to use it but got some good advice and got it going pretty good now. got a hood from the junk yard and been practicing on that with some good results. what i was looking for was a process to clean during polishing since i dont have a spur which i guess is the same as a brush for the foam pads. they get product build up clean it with the brush and keep going what can i use for wool in the absence of a spur

[02nissanISR]

thanks mike thats where i got the solo kit in the first place (pbe) and didnt think to ask if they had a spur i gather thats the best way than

[Mike Phillips]

Last summer I buffed out 5 Mustangs in 3 days, including wet-sanding one of them for a car show. The work was done under a canopy, it was windy and dust was everywhere and it was over a 100 degrees everyday.

I couldn't not have completed the job without my trusty, dusty pad washer, it was that vital to successfully buffing paint in that environment in that heat range.

If you're going to do a lot of rotary buffer work the pad washer doesn't cost you money, it makes you money by enabling you to work effectively.

If I was working full time in a body shop wet-sanding, cutting and buffing fresh paint I would go with the System 2000 as I think it it's built-in spur helps clean and fluff wool cutting pads when predominately using a rotary buffer.


System 2000 Pad Washer (http://www.autogeek.net/system-2000-pad-washer.html)

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2075_35135735



Built-in spurs help to fluff fibers of a wool pad which also enable spent buffing residue to rinse out.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/bucket1.jpg




If I were working full-time as a detailer I would go with the Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer as I think it works well for wool pads but works better for cleaning foam pads with any kind of tool.


Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-universal-pad-washer.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2066_109373346




While I was at Meguiar's we had the System 2000 in the Training Garage and my personal pad washer was the Grit Guard unit and they both work great.

Seriously, can't say enough good things about having a pad washer when buffing out a car. It's important to always work clean and this means having a clean pad. Keep that in mind for when you're ready for a pad washer.

:)

[SRHTX]

Last summer I buffed out 5 Mustangs in 3 days, including wet-sanding one of them for a car show. The work was done under a canopy, it was windy and dust was everywhere and it was over a 100 degrees everyday.

I couldn't not have completed the job without my trusty, dusty pad washer, it was that vital to successfully buffing paint in that environment in that heat range. :)

Mike, when were you down here in the Rio Grande Valley buffing some Mustangs? LOL j/k

Everything you mentioned is what we have to face down here.

Stephen

[02nissanISR]

thanks again mike great tips and not a bad salesman either. a pad washer may be part of my next order

[Chris27182]

Grit guard pad washer review (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/16866-grit-guard-pad-washer-results-impressive.html)

Here is a review I did a little back. :xyxthumbs:

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

I use a flat head screw driver to clean my wool pads with because they work alot better than any pad spurs out there. There is nothing wrong with using a screw driver to clean your wool pads with.

[Mike Phillips]

I use a flat head screw driver to clean my wool pads with because they work alot better than any pad spurs out there. There is nothing wrong with using a screw driver to clean your wool pads with.


You're a respected member on this forum as well as others so I don't want to start a Wax War over using a screwdriver as a pad cleaner and "yes" I've used screwdrivers as well as anything else that was handy at the time to clean the fibers of a wool pad while buffing out a car but if you laid a screwdriver and Spur in front of me on a workbench and I needed to clean a pad I would reach for the Spur first every time.

The screwdriver offers one metal point with sharp edges, the spur offers multiple, multiple points that are rounded and spin as the tool is forced into the fibers helping to not only remove compound and polish residue but to also fluff the fibers up without damaging the fibers or the backing material.

Another one of those personal preference things and if you're happy with using a screwdriver I don't have a problem with it but for myself I would reach for a Spur over a screwdriver every time and would recommend a Spur over a screwdriver if one's available.


Spurs

Duo-Spur at Autogeek (http://www.autogeek.net/spur100.html)
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/duospur2.jpeg


Traditional Wool Pad Spur
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/Spur.jpg


Screwdriver
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/screwdriver.jpg



Actually, in a perfect world a Pad Washer and a Spur are a Tag-Team approach and that's what I use when buffing out a car. First clean your pad in the pad washer and then after spinning the water out of the pad, spur the pad to lift and fluff the fibers.

In the end you'll have clean pad ready to get back to work and it can't be stressed enough to always work clean, this means a clean shop, a clean surface and a clean pad.


Again, personal preference.


:)

[RaskyR1]

I use the air hose to blow them out after each panel. I find it works better than using a spur.

As far as washing, I have both the pad washers shown above. For the Solo wool pads I have found the System 2000 to work much better than the Grit Guard Washer. However, I find the GG washer to be the best all around, especially for the foam pads.

I will run my Solo wool pads thru the S2000 when I'm done with the pad, and then I will throw them in the washing machine when I have like 6 of them pilled up. I find the washing machine fluffs them up a little more like when they are new. :xyxthumbs:

[ryandamartini]

I am behind the times..

I erm use XMT Pad Cleaner, spray some on. Then blast it with the hose and spin dry. Comes out new every time.

*hides behind couch*

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

Hey Mike, wasn't starting a wax war either and welcome aboard. I actually lay the whole screw driver across the pad. I have used the metal spurs, have three of them, and a plastic spur and they just don't clean as well as the spur. Plus I also do blow out the pad like Chad does after cleaning the pad.
I am with you on personal preference:cheers: