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RFulmer
12-14-2011, 08:27 PM
A brief review of Pinnacle XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-pad-cleaner.html)

I normally don't bother cleaning foam app pads but I had such good luck cleaning my DA pads with the XMT cleaner that I thought I'd share my results. I used a app pad since I had already cleaned my larger pads.

Product and the dirty app pad (below). I dug this pad out of the trash, it had all sorts of wax and sealant on it since it was a pad I was experimenting with, it had been in the trash for several days so everything was dried on pretty good:

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1248.jpg

Close up of the dirty pad (both sides):

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1246.jpg

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1245.jpg

I first rinsed the pad with water to see how much would come out with hot water alone:


http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1249.jpg

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1251.jpg

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1252.jpg


I then sprayed the pad 4 or 5 times on each side with the pad cleaner:


http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1253.jpg


Then I drenched the pad in hot water and squeezed it several times, I also scrubbed the pad with my finger nails.


http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1259.jpg


The finished product (both sides). One side came out slightly cleaner than the other and that may have came out if I had let it soak for a few minutes (which I did not). All and all I'd say it did great, better than APC which I normally use. This one survived the trash, it'll go back in for another rotation. My hands are also nice and clean too :dblthumb2:

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1260.jpg

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/Sardian/RLF_1261.jpg
alko
12-14-2011, 08:30 PM
VERY NICE review! I love this stuff...it works great! I use it when cleaning pads on the fly. Thanks for putting this together for others to see what a great product this is.
rider9195
12-14-2011, 08:30 PM
Very nice! I like using this product as well. Just the smell can be a little too strong at times.
alko
12-14-2011, 08:32 PM
Very nice! I like using this product as well. Just the smell can be a little too strong at times.

I feel you on this. I normally turn my head and hold my breath.
RFulmer
12-14-2011, 08:34 PM
It would be nice if it had a nice fruity scent, but it's not that harsh. I consider Sonax wheel cleaner and Iron-X to be harsh smells. This stuff just smells like a typical cleaner smell, like a Meg's APC type smell.
tw33k2514
12-14-2011, 08:37 PM
Hmm, very nice results. A great review also.

I never gave that stuff much thought. I guess I might have to try some. APC+ works good, but I end up using a lot.
CEE DOG
12-14-2011, 10:01 PM
It works very well IMO as well. Nice review! Please please wear some gloves with this stuff though.
alko
12-14-2011, 10:03 PM
I normally hit the pad with a couple of squirts and then clean the pad on the fly. Am I doing it wrong?
Jaretr1
12-14-2011, 10:08 PM
I have been using it as well. I have actually poured a few drips into a bucket, added some water, and then placed the pads in the soapy water as I use them. This stuff seems to disolve compounds and polishes. It does a decent job of breaking down waxes and sealants, but there is always a little of that left over on the pad once I am done. I do dislike the pump spray bottle though. Inevetably, my hands get wet and soapy, and trying to pump product is nearly impossible once that happens.
WRAPT C5Z06
12-14-2011, 10:56 PM
APC > than a separate product just to clean pads, BUT, nice review!! :dblthumb2:
Marc08EX
12-14-2011, 10:57 PM
Great review RFulmer!! Thanks for sharing those detailed pics.

How would you say the pad cleaner is more effective than APC? Have you compared using a degreaser?
WRAPT C5Z06
12-14-2011, 10:59 PM
Adam's APC has cleaned my pads the best, even better than OPC!

Not sure if I should have mentioned Adam's.
davey g-force
12-14-2011, 10:59 PM
Great review! :xyxthumbs: I've had a lot of success with this product.



I normally hit the pad with a couple of squirts and then clean the pad on the fly. Am I doing it wrong?

I don't believe it was designed for cleaning on the fly. It's more for washing your pads at the end of a detail. Someone correct me if I'm wrong..
toycar18
12-14-2011, 11:05 PM
I have had great success with XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner.... just bought a 1/2 gallon the other day when pinnacle was on-sale.
RFulmer
12-14-2011, 11:24 PM
Adam's APC has cleaned my pads the best, even better than OPC!

Not sure if I should have mentioned Adam's.

Adam's APC is what I was using (my favorite APC by the way for all sorts of around the house cleaning). But, I left a white polishing pad overnight without cleaning it and the polish had caked into the pad and dried. APC Wouldn't clean the center 3" of the pad even after soaking it in APC.

The pad cleaner got the pad about 50% cleaner than the Adam's APC did. It's not 100% clean but it's better than I could get it with APC.