Lake Country Hydro-Tech Foam Pads Cupping

[Detail-Impressions]

Is anyone else experiencing the hydro pad cupping, this occurs after two or three uses with polish?

[RaskyR1]

If the center is caving in it's typically from excess heat or using the pads when they are wet or saturated.

What tool are you using them on and at what speed?

[alko]

I asked the same question....check out the thread. I've come to the conclusion that these pads havea very short lifespan. I was thinking about my experience earlier today and if I get LC HT pads again, I'm getting a bunch of them. I've seen posts where people recommend changing the pad after each panel. My suggestion...prime and then 2-3 pea size products closest to the edge of the pad. In Mike's book, he talks about product making its way to the center of the pad. You'll want to clean your pads after each section, 2 sections at the most.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...tech-pads.html

[The Pad Man]

Excessive heat will cause that.

[Detail-Impressions]

Thank you for helping and not flaming me about the "search function".

Yes it is the RED pad that I use the most on a Griots machine #3 speed, 6.25" pad.

Thank you for your time and help,
You guys are the best! Awesome help.
Bill

[CEE DOG]

If the center is caving in it's typically from excess heat or using the pads when they are wet or saturated.

The cyan are incredible and I love them but don't last too long. However I never have a cupping issue.

The tangerine and crimson however last me for a very long time. I have never had the cupping issue. These pads are closed cell so be sure to allow them to completely dry before using them again. When you think they are dry let them dry a couple days longer just to be safe.

I also clean my pad after every or every other section and switch my pad out when I notice the cut decreasing.

[Harleyguy]

I'm not happy knowing I can only get a couple of uses out of them but on the other hand the way they correct paint makes trashing them a little easier .
As everyone has mentioned these pads Must be dry before using them again . I feel cleaning them often while using them and making sure they are bone dry be use it the most important thing .

[DaC]

I know that my kompressor Hydro-Tech didn't survived the 3rd car.
The regular flat I have were only used in 1 car so far but I can definitively see it's quickly deteriorating. But like most guys says, it's the pad that I push the much that gets bad really fast...
I guess it's a good option to have many of them around while doing a car so you won't saturated that much each one with polish........ but as much pads as you have to prime the more product you'll spend and it's kind against the idea of the pad which is to save product...... and also drying time is a huge factor, they take so long to dry that you would need to have a ton of it to make detailing everyday... but if only do on weekends, that's fine...

[RaskyR1]

I'm not happy knowing I can only get a couple of uses out of them but on the other hand the way they correct paint makes trashing them a little easier .
As everyone has mentioned these pads Must be dry before using them again . I feel cleaning them often while using them and making sure they are bone dry be use it the most important thing .

Adam,

I've gotten at least a dozen cars out of my tangerine and crimson LC pads. The Cyan do seem more susceptible to wear, but I honestly don't have much use for them now anyway sicne the MF came out. As long as your not using excessive speed, allow them to dry completely, and you use 2-4 pads per car, you will be more than happy with the pad life.

[zoiman]

As others have said, it is too much heat generated by high speed, excessive pressure, stationary movement, etc.
Here are some pics of a LC CP cutaway. You can see the bottom pad showing the compression and solidification of the foam as it fused togther. Pulled apart you can
see the top has a cavity and the adhesive failure and fretting of the foam.