HELP. Let a friend use my buffer/pads.

[PaulMys]

Honestly, I don't lend anything of mine out...

I'm with you, Monica. As a (now former) mechanic, tools were my life blood. How I earned my living. NO asking me to borrow anything.

The only rare exceptions were other mechanics who I knew that took just as good of care of their tools as I did mine.

[UncleDavy]

I'm surprised that you got the polisher and pads back at all. When you loan money or tools to family or friends, you have to expect to never see those items again. As far as the pads go, I would just buy new ones during the next Autogeek sale.

[PaulMys]

I'm surprised that you got the polisher and pads back at all. When you loan money or tools to family or friends, you have to expect to never see those items again.

Damn, UD.

Is this because they are all Red Sox fans??

[Route246]

I'm not keen on loaning tools and have only done it on rare occasions. And certain tools are completely off limits - (spray guns, torque wrenches, etc., come to mind).

In your case, loaning a buffer, I would have told the user they need to buy their own pads, or pay for replacements. Pads are expendables - even if used and cleaned properly they only have so much life in them.

I've found the best way to clean foam pads is to simply run them under a faucet (water as hot as your hands can take), scrub with your hand, wring out... then repeat as necessary until they are clean. Once clean I put them on the polisher at high speed to sling out the remaining water. Then let them dry overnight or longer before sealing them in zip-lock bags.

If the pads have been used for wax or very oily polishes I then add a little detergent to the process to break down the wax/oil. Tide and/or Dawn, or the like, have always worked for me.

Loaning tools is is like loaning money. Not much good can come from it.

Loaning pads is like loaning socks and underwear. Don't expect to be thrilled to reuse them when they are returned.

In general, it is like owning a pickup. You have friends come out of the woodwork you never heard from for years and suddenly you're a very popular guy. Once I got rid of my truck I don't get those calls anymore. Funny how that works.

[PaulMys]

In general, it is like owning a pickup. You have friends come out of the woodwork you never heard from for years and suddenly you're a very popular guy. Once I got rid of my truck I don't get those calls anymore. Funny how that works.

Very true.

My reply to those "long-lost friends" is this:

Where did you see the U-Haul logo on my truck?

[UncleDavy]

Damn, UD.

Is this because they are all Red Sox fans??

They live in Jersey and they are Italian. They are naturally Yankee fans.

[57Rambler]

I throw all pads in the washing machine with some microfiber detergent.

Yikes, that looks like something the cat coughed up.


Hopefully you clean that washer's filter regularly ...

[PaulMys]

They live in Jersey and they are Italian.

Ok, I see the problem now...........

[ducksfan]

Di limonene @10 percent

Whether you're diluting it almost pure @9:1 or knocking something like CitraBlast down 4:1 It's the best I've found for getting crud out of Pads.

In case I need to say it, dilute with distilled water.