When to replace pads??

[Bicycle]

I just detail my vehicles and a few friends on occasion
so I'm not overwhelmed with experience. I use a flex and hybrid pads. I've never really figured out when to replace a pad. I use a brush to clean them and wash them with Dawn as I rotate them.
There are no tears on them but they just don't seem to cut after a car or so. I read that some guys seem to use them forever but It doesn't seem to be my case.
Any suggestions.
BTW, just tried Meg's UC on a 10 year old car that's never seen any care and that stuff works pretty well. Not FG 400 but darn close for an otc product
Thanks

[fly07sti]

I would suggest you stop using dawn. Takes forever to rinse out. At the very least, use a citrus based apc to clean them or a dedicated pad cleaner.
I also am a Flex and hybrid user and have had pads that I've used on more than half dozen vehicles that perform perfectly. I also only use one pad for approx 1-2 panels, then switch to a fresh pad.

[Souldetailer]

I would suggest you stop using dawn. Takes forever to rinse out. At the very least, use a citrus based apc to clean them or a dedicated pad cleaner.
I also am a Flex and hybrid user and have had pads that I've used on more than half dozen vehicles that perform perfectly. I also only use one pad for approx 1-2 panels, then switch to a fresh pad.

I agree with Don, mostly because what he has told me rings true, and because his advice hasn't failed me yet. I myself gravitate towards to something citrus based. It works and it also tastes great in my winter salads. Clean car and great side salad, can't beat it. Good luck and take care.

Peace,

Darrin

[Setec Astronomy]

There are no tears on them but they just don't seem to cut after a car or so.

Well, that was the concept behind these pads:

Lake Country 1 Pad Polishing System, Single Use Pads, One Pad System, one time use buffing pad, Lake Country buffing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/1-pad-polishing-system.html)

Use them once and throw them away. It never caught on. So your feel that they don't "cut after a car or so" certainly parallels the rationale for those pads, but I'm sure you'd got a hot debate about it still.

[MarkD51]

When they start looking like "Frankie Coffee Cake's Face", dump them, or like Sonny did in Bronx Tale, throw em in the washroom! LOL

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

I'm an avid user of the FLEX and Hybrid pads and am still on the original release pads from 2011. Proper maintenance of them is key.

[dlc95]

That Dawn detergent might not be rinsing out enough, and throwing off the lubricant in the buffing liquid. The result is over lubricating the system. I have some pads from 2013 that I still use.

Ultimate Compound is an awesome product. I actually prefer it to FG, and M105.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I would suggest you stop using dawn. Takes forever to rinse out. At the very least, use a citrus based apc to clean them or a dedicated pad cleaner.
I also am a Flex and hybrid user and have had pads that I've used on more than half dozen vehicles that perform perfectly. I also only use one pad for approx 1-2 panels, then switch to a fresh pad.
:dblthumb2:

[mwoolfso]

When they start looking like "Frankie Coffee Cake's Face", dump them, or like Sonny did in Bronx Tale, throw em in the washroom! LOL

While I never thought about this question extensively, this is the typical guideline I follow.

[haris300]

When they start looking like "Frankie Coffee Cake's Face", dump them, or like Sonny did in Bronx Tale, throw em in the washroom! LOL

:laughing:

[LSNAutoDetailing]

Like others have stated, stop using the dawn.

When done, I spray them with XMT Pad Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/xmtpadcacofs.html)
Brush with the pad cleaning brush (http://www.autogeek.net/padtool.html)
Then give a good rinse with the hose.
Place the pad back on the DA, set to #6 and let it run for about 30 seconds. (Make sure you do this far away from anything, there will be lots of fling and spatter).
The pads cleans up great. Then I place them on a shelf to dry.
Occasionally they will go in the wash with the rest of the MF towels, where I will use an ounce or two of Micro Restore (http://www.autogeek.net/mideco128oz.html) where I do two rinse cycle with the washer.
When done I put them on the rack to dry.

How many pads do you use with one car per detail event?
You may be seeing a loss in performance with the pad because it's getting saturated with product.

Great article by Mike:
How many pads do I need to buff out my car? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/88109-how-many-pads-do-i-need-buff-out-my-car.html)

[Bicycle]

Like others have stated, stop using the dawn.

When done, I spray them with XMT Pad Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/xmtpadcacofs.html)
Brush with the pad cleaning brush (http://www.autogeek.net/padtool.html)
Then give a good rinse with the hose.
Place the pad back on the DA, set to #6 and let it run for about 30 seconds. (Make sure you do this far away from anything, there will be lots of fling and spatter).
The pads cleans up great. Then I place them on a shelf to dry.
Occasionally they will go in the wash with the rest of the MF towels, where I will use an ounce or two of Micro Restore (http://www.autogeek.net/mideco128oz.html) where I do two rinse cycle with the washer.
When done I put them on the rack to dry.

How many pads do you use with one car per detail event?
You may be seeing a loss in performance with the pad because it's getting saturated with product.

Great article by Mike:
How many pads do I need to buff out my car? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/88109-how-many-pads-do-i-need-buff-out-my-car.html)

I use 3-4 pads. I rotate them. Use a pad, then clean and dry under a fan, start another pad and continue the rotation.
And I change out the pads often. On an average size sedan door I use 2 maybe 3 pads.