Why am I destroying pads?!?!

**El Flaco Taco** · 07-07-2013, 10:03 PM

Finally got a free Sunday to detail my Tahoe. My rupes absolutely destroyed three pads. Which makes me know that it's not the pads but me. First I ruined the 5" Meg's finish MF.

Why am I destroying pads?!?!-imageuploadedbytapatalk1373252486-541819-jpg

This was done one the roof of the truck. Didn't think much of it at the time because I've read others having this happen. Plus I figured maybe me bumping against the luggage rack caused some damage as well. So I switch out to 6" Meg's cutting MF after doing 5 panels with this one that joker just came completely undone.

Why am I destroying pads?!?!-imageuploadedbytapatalk1373252541-990846-jpg

Well those were the only two MF's that I had. (Gift from Kevin Brown) so I moved over to the rupes green. (Btw I was very impressed with the results from this pad and FG 400) Well this one lasted for two and a half panel before it came apart.

Why am I destroying pads?!?!-imageuploadedbytapatalk1373252598-956887-jpg

So here are my guesses as to what I did wrong.
1. Speed too high ( I was using them at just below 5) I'm sure someone's going to tell me that's too high but the results were great. Pad never stopped rotating on curves

2. Maybe the moisture from the pad washer and then heating the pad back up on the paint caused the separation

That's pretty much all I can think of. Except maybe bad technique on my part.

Any ideas?

**goldendodo19** · 07-07-2013, 10:07 PM

The MF pads can't really be run over speed 4 bc they get too hot and that happens. Also make sure you clean them well after every panel. Compresse air works best but a brush can work also. Switch pads out every couple panels next time to help let them cool.

Also when removing the MF pads from the rupes plate make sure you pull them off with both hands bc that Velcro is something else.

**af90** · 07-07-2013, 10:16 PM

I agree with the cleaning portion. It may be getting to saturated which I believe can affect the temperature.

How/When do you clean your pads while polishing?

**Mach1USMC** · 07-07-2013, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by af90

I agree with the cleaning portion. It may be getting to saturated which I believe can affect the temperature.

How/When do you clean your pads while polishing?

Could it also be not priming the pad properly? - def clean the pads between panels too.

**af90** · 07-07-2013, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mach1USMC

Could it also be not priming the pad properly? - def clean the pads between panels too.

I'm honestly not sure, but I think not priming it would more so lead to excessive dusting and dry buffing but I suppose if you kept it up it could overheat. That's also why many people recommend 2 pads while buffing so you can switch pads each panel after you clean them and let them cool. Which brings up another possible explanation.

**El Flaco Taco** · 07-07-2013, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by af90

I agree with the cleaning portion. It may be getting to saturated which I believe can affect the temperature.

How/When do you clean your pads while polishing?

Was cleaning with Grit Guard pad washer after every panel. I have compressed air maybe I should use that instead.

**psynx** · 07-07-2013, 10:47 PM

The rupes definitely generates allot of heat and I myself have ruined some megs mf cutting discs. Also the hook n loop is stupid ridiculous strong with any pad.

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**El Flaco Taco** · 07-07-2013, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by af90

I'm honestly not sure, but I think not priming it would more so lead to excessive dusting and dry buffing but I suppose if you kept it up it could overheat. That's also why many people recommend 2 pads while buffing so you can switch pads each panel after you clean them and let them cool. Which brings up another possible explanation.

I'm pretty sure I kept the pads primed well. Just didn't switch them out, well because I only had one 5" and 6" which would have meant switching backing plates after every panel. So I figured I would just keep them clean. Maybe too clean.

**ihaveacamaro** · 07-07-2013, 11:14 PM

I think the problem is you using the grit guard pad washer and only one pad. Use two to four pads for a car.

**swanicyouth** · 07-08-2013, 12:38 AM

I think your using too much pressure (and speed) and getting too much heat. From what I've been told, you only use a little pressure with a Rupes. Heat will make foam pads come apart like that. You need more pads. You can't just keep washing the same pad after every panel.

Also, its not "pad priming" or lack of that will destroy a pad like that, but using way too much polish. If the pads become soaked and gummed up with product, that contributes to their over heating.

It also looks like the face of the foam pad was ran into/over something mechanical. The face of the looks chewed up.