How to wash pad covered in wax?

[BlackHawk1]

It's too much BS, time and money cleaning them so I just look for a bargain on quality pads (hand applicator pads) and toss them after use especially when using Collinite.

[AutoApollo]

Is it safe to use simple green in the pad? It won't degrade it or anything?

[ski2]

Is it safe to use simple green in the pad? It won't degrade it or anything?

Don't know about Simple Green, but I've had good results cleaning DG 501 (one of the most difficult to remove) out of my pads using Awesome Orange Degreaser from the Dollar Store with no adverse effects on my pads.

[Mike Honcho]

Don't know about Simple Green, but I've had good results cleaning DG 501 (one of the most difficult to remove) out of my pads using Awesome Orange Degreaser from the Dollar Store with no adverse effects on my pads.

Soaked at full strength?

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Soaked at full strength?

It works just as good as pad cleaner.

Pad cleaner is expensive and you can go thru a whole 32 oz bottle just from one correction.

I would dilute 1:1 for a degreaser


Simple green ready to use with foaming nozzle is good doesnt hurt the pad. And i know its safe and a much cheaper alternative.

You can buy a gallon i think for 15 bucks and dilute it

[ski2]

Soaked at full strength?

As I finish using a pad during a polishing session I throw it in a bucket of water with some Dawn. When I've completed the job I'll sqeeze out the majority of the water/Dawn, spray the pad a few times with Awesome Orange Degreaser, work it into the pad from the center out with my thumbs, then rinse WELL while continuing to work it from the center out.

After I sqeeze out as much water as possible put the pads between a few layers of a terry towel and step on each pad. Then air dry.

[dlc95]

I mist on Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner, and rub it into the surface of the pad until the residue is broken down, then with cool water, rinse like crazy. I use gloves when doing this too.

[The Guz]

How about this: DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator was created to provide detailers with a fast and effective way to clean pads without soapy residue or foamy degreasers.

Then dry them out.

Works great. It's what I use on all pads. I rinse them out with water after soaking in a bucket over night.

[BlackHawk1]

As Mike Phillips perfectly said earlier in this thread...

"Car waxes and synthetic paint sealants are NOT water soluble.

Most compounds and polishes ARE water soluble.

To get all the wax or most of the wax out of anything you need to use a solvent that will dissolve the specific "protection ingredients" in the brand of wax you've chosen to use. Or some type of all purpose solvent like Ritchie mentioned... Varsol or similar thinner. Then wash it out with dish soap afterward"


It's one thing to use something to remove compounds and polishes (this is easily done) and another to try and remove waxes and sealants which isn't easily done. I use my buffing pads for compounds and polishes and have gone mostly to small foam hand applicators for applying a LSP.

I agree... Detailer’s Pro Series Polishing Pad Rejuvenator is excellent IME! The smell reminds me of Lestoil.

[Matador]

Thank god I found this thread!!

I read somewhere else to keep the same pad I use in a plastic baggy and to avoid washing it.

I wonder if it may have mold on it? I use the Menzerna powerlock and now the pad has just gotten so saturated and 'heavy' that it hit me, 'I'm doing something wrong here'.

I have simple green and oxi-clean palmolive blue dish soap.

Which is the better option to break down the powerlock? It's some STRONG stuff...

I feel like an idiot... because a couple of weeks back I finished detailing my moms sweet black 5 series BMW and notice now there's some holograms on the side.....I have to think it was my 'dirty' pad that I only keep in a baggy that did it.

I feel like a fool (newb!!).