pad washing

[spitshine1]

Can anyone tell me the best way to wash polishing pads?
I cant buy one of those fancy pad washers. I am a college student.

Second question how often should i be waxing a car that sits outside 24/7.
Lastly how can i prevent headlight oxidation? Can i apply wax over the lenses.
Thanks!

[Eddie 70]

This is what I use to clean my pads. Works really good so far for me.
XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner by Pinnacle For your dual action or rotary polisher. (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-pad-cleaner.html)

Yes you can apply wax over the lenses but there is thread currently running where folks are doing something much better to the lenses. Spar Clear UV Poly after wet sanding the lens.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/19021-headlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.html

[Rix6]

This is what I use to clean my pads. Works really good so far for me.
XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner by Pinnacle For your dual action or rotary polisher. (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-pad-cleaner.html)

Yes you can apply wax over the lenses but there is thread currently running where folks are doing something much better to the lenses. Spar Clear UV Poly after wet sanding the lens.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/19021-headlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.htmlThe OP asked about prevention, not restoration. If the lenses are in good condition already then you can wax them, use something like meg's headlight sealant, apply precut protection film to them, or apply a coating like CQ or Opticoat 2.0.
Any of those should provide good UV protection. The film will protect against rock chips to boot, if you decide to go that route. Autogeek sells protection film. Here the link to their offering: XPEL Headlight Protection Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/xpel-headlight-protection.html)

-Rick

[BobbyG]

Pad Washing

Pad washing can be as simple or as complex as you desire.

Since many of the detailing products we use today are water based, a simple solution of warm water and detergent does a pretty nice job. There are also dedicated products available for cleaning pads that might just work a little better.

For at least the later half of 2011 I've used Detailer’s Pro Series Polishing Pad Rejuvenator and I am very impressed with its ability to cut and dissolve about 90% of all the products I currently use.

Like you, I didn't have one of those slick pad washers so in the bucket they go in a solution of Detailer’s Pro Series Polishing Pad Rejuvenator and hot water. I do pre-spray each pad with Optimum Power Cleaner or another all-purpose-cleaner, work it into each pad, then into the water they go.

I'll occasionally kneed them to flush out the contaminates then once their clean I'll rince them in warm water several time to ensure I've got them as clean as possible.

Squeeze out the excess water then on to my rotary for a quick spin and let the rest ait dry.

Wax Protection

This is one of those allusive answers but once you've used a pre-wax paint cleaner a wax like Collinite 845 will give you 4 to 5 months of protection. If you decide you want to wax more often then go right ahead, just be sure you give the finish a thorough wash & dry prior to reapplying the wax.

Wax


Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/carnauba-wax.html)
Wolfgang Fuzion (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-wax-sample.html)
Dodo Juice Supernatural (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-carnauba-wax-200.html)
Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html)
Blackfire Midnight Sun (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/blackfire-midnight-sun-wax.html)

One of my favorites


Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)

As an alternative, have you considered a quality spray wax like Optimum Spray Car Wax or XMT 360 Spray Wax? Both products work superbly and are just the ticket to keep your finish looking great for an extended period of time.

Sealants

Sealants is another option and I like to apply a sealant, wait 12 hours to let it cure, and apply a wax over the sealant.

Sealants


Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
Prima Hydro Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/prima-hydro-seal.html)
Four Star Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-ultimate-paint-protection.html)
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Klasse High Gloss Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)
Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)

Head Lights

After a plastic lens is clean and polished it's always a good idea to coat them with a quality sealant or wax. Meguiar's Plastic-X seems to work well. What I've found that also works well is a costing of Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0. This coating once applied is a hard permanent coating that resists scratches and nicks.

There are also plastic sheeting available that are pre-cut to fit your specific light or you can custom cut them to fit.

[BillE]

Just to add...when cleaning pads...if you have any pads that have been used with a poly type of product, they will, probably NOT come totally clean.

With 'those' pads, clean them best you can and mark them (with a Sharpie or such) and use these exclusively for 'polys'.

Bill

[umi000]

Just use whatever you use on the paint on your headlights - and if you're really concerned about fading, just top-up the protection periodically (in between your usual LSP application) with a good spray wax such as OCW, which has some UV protection.

[tomsteve]

man, bobbyG, how'd ya know i complicate pad cleaning???:wow:LOL. i complicated the pad washing thing, too. destroyed a few pads and finally broke down and do it like yu describe. after soaking and neadin em, i'll throw em in the washer on the spin cycle to get rid of excess water. then i have a piece of velcro on the outside of my detailing cabinet i stick em to for a day to dry out. what a time and $$$ saver!