Is this pad done?

[TheGuyWho]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb99/spartacus3/85d35f83.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb99/spartacus3/5b9538e5.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb99/spartacus3/4a7cdf03.jpg

[opie_7afe]

needs to be cleaned really bad but done for i dont think it is, until it loses its cut or its density then its not done for. hard to tell via image anyways.

[Rsurfer]

Use a dual spur that will level the foam out.

[Danube]

Needs washing first to tell if its done or not.

[Flash Gordon]

Are you putting your polish on the center of the pad?

[TheGuyWho]

Are you putting your polish on the center of the pad?

No, but for some reason it keeps building up in the center.

[TheGuyWho]

I know the pad is dirty, ive been using it all day. Haha

The reason why I was asking is that when I clean it with a brush the center has been starting to kinda flake off.

How often do you guys "clean" your pads while detailing? I feel like ive been having to clean this pad after almost every pass! It just continues to build up in the center of the pad pretty badly.

[Lasthope05]

Dont use a stiff brush too often as that along with a pad softened with polish will deteriorate the pad quicker. Use a cotton towel to absorb excess polish. The brush only removes residue on the surface of the pad.

Also you want to be switching pads often and not use 1 pad for an entire car.

[tw33k2514]

If you want to keep your pads alive, stop using the brush. I find it just ruins the pads faster. Clean your pads with compressed air or a terry towel every 2ish panels.

Also, product will always collect in the middle. It is the nature of the DAs movement. Put your product on the edges of the pad and clean your pads as I stated above.

[TheGuyWho]

If you want to keep your pads alive, stop using the brush. I find it just ruins the pads faster. Clean your pads with compressed air or a terry towel every 2ish panels.

Also, product will always collect in the middle. It is the nature of the DAs movement. Put your product on the edges of the pad and clean your pads as I stated above.

Ok, thanks. Ive been kinda doing the compressed air thing, and only applying product to the outter edges of the pad, but I guess ive been making the mistake of trying to use one single pad for the whole car. Im glad I learned something new & helpful. How often do you actually switch pads to a new one?

[tw33k2514]

I usually use 3-4 pads per polish per car. You can easily get by with 2 though.

[tuscarora dave]

Until it looks like this one it's still useable.

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/021-12.jpg

[ShaunD]

First off, what pad is this? White or yellow? And what type or correction are you doing with it? Polish or compounding?
When you say that you have to clean the pad after every pass, what constitutes cleaning for you? When you use a brush you should not dwell at the center of the pad as that is where a DA is spinning most and will degrade the pad quickest. You really should have a few pads to be doing whatever you are doing so you can properly wash a pad and let it dry while working with another. Or something like that.:)

[TheGuyWho]

Until it looks like this one it's still useable.

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/021-12.jpg

Hahaha, Dammmn!!

[TheGuyWho]

First off, what pad is this? White or yellow? And what type or correction are you doing with it? Polish or compounding?
When you say that you have to clean the pad after every pass, what constitutes cleaning for you? When you use a brush you should not dwell at the center of the pad as that is where a DA is spinning most and will degrade the pad quickest. You really should have a few pads to be doing whatever you are doing so you can properly wash a pad and let it dry while working with another. Or something like that.:)

This pad is/was a yellow Meguiars pad… Im applying Meg's #105 cutting compound. I will be going to Meg's #205 next. Honestly Im not sure if I should go with a yellow pad again or a white pad. Ive also got a black, burgundy, and a few orange pads as well.