Why it's important to clean your pads often...

**Cliffnopus** · 09-14-2010, 05:12 PM

I'm glad we're discussing pads. Would you folks use this dawn cleaned pad or not??

LEFT = New pad. Right = cleaned used pad

Thanks, Cliff

**Fly bye** · 09-14-2010, 05:20 PM

The one on the right has been thoroughly used. It would depend on what was used with it, and how it was used. Somes peeps throw em away after just one use. Myself, I am a hobbiest. I would prolly use it for something. I would put it to good use, but I'm a tightwad.

**Kurt_s** · 09-14-2010, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cliffnopus

I'm glad we're discussing pads. Would you folks use this dawn cleaned pad or not??

LEFT = New pad. Right = cleaned used pad

Thanks, Cliff

I can normally get pads cleaner than that. However, how about tire dressings?

**Cliffnopus** · 09-14-2010, 06:37 PM

I got lazy on my description. Truth be told, I was pi$$ed - I had a detailed message created and it was deleted when I added my first picture. I was ticked off and didn't want to re-draft my message.

I used the pad to add a coat of Liquid Souveran car wax to my bike. The pad didn't get that dirty but it just wouldn't come super clean, even after soaking and cleaning in Dawn Direct Foam.

Cliff

**BobbyG** · 09-14-2010, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

Very creative Bobby... that's thinking outside the bucket...

Both the Grit Guard Pad Washer and the System 2000 Pad washer both have pumps that inject cleaning solution at the face of the pad as you run the polisher and that's a benefit that will be hard to duplicate without the pumps or the entire system but if you're method is working to clean the pads then like I always tell my son...

Something is better than nothing...

How about a few pictures?

Mike,

The line; "that's thinking outside the bucket"... gave me quite a laugh, so much my wife was wondering what on earth I was laughing at!!!

I thought it was pretty funny!!

There's little doubt that my crude pad washer doesn't really compare with the one offered through Autogeek. I was wounding what drives the cost up to $135.00 until I discovered there's allot more "inside" the pad washer than meets the eye. It's much more than a bucket, a grit guard, and cover!!

I will take a photo or two and post them. I'd also like to clean a pad and post the results..

**Marc08EX** · 09-14-2010, 08:51 PM

^^ I can't wait for the photos you'll share Bobby.

**feds27** · 07-12-2011, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by BobbyG

I clean my pads on the fly using a "modified" system that I created.

For the most part everyone here knows what a grit guard is. I cut down an old bucket about an inch higher than the grit guard so I have access to it with the pad while it's on the polisher.

I pour some solution in the bottom of the bucket then add just enough water so that it's just covering the grit guard. Place the pad on the grit guard then turn the unit on allowing it to scrub the pad while the solution dissolves the contaminates.

The grit guard is plastic and does vibrate during use so I don't know how long it'll last but it's working so far...

To dry the pad I place the pad in another bucket and spin it up letting centrifugal force assist me in drying.

While this may not be as slick as the commercially available pad washer available through Autogeek, for the most part it does a decent job.

The bottom line is, there are lots of options for us to try!

+1 This is what I do too.

**sabrina** · 09-05-2011, 02:46 AM

Well, cleaning the pad using a terry cloth towel works pretty good.

**indiej1** · 09-06-2011, 06:18 PM

outside the bucket you say

... some of you guys may not have come across this: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ad-washer.html

i've tweaked this some but you could do with just a 4 gallon/16 liter pail with a little catch near the top for the grit guard, dishwashing liquid, a grit guard and the aquarium pump.

it's a bit of an electrical hazard on both ends. just don't wet the plug or the polishing machine internals.

so easy, simple, cost effective and clean you may want to try it.

**dsottum** · 09-09-2011, 01:07 PM

I like the DIY pad washers, kind of a fun side-project to try out. So far I've been fine with using a diluted megs super degreaser in a bucket of very warm water and using a nylon brush to scrub the surface. As long as I clean them the same day, they come clean very easily.

With the new MF pads that are out, I haven't found the need to use a foam pad in a while. I just throw my MF pads in the washer with some free and clear liquid detergent with cold or warm water and then let them air dry afterwards.