Are my foam pads toast?

**SpoiledMan** · 03-23-2012, 01:13 AM

So even though a pad manufacturer that would love to sell you more pads says the pad is a go you still THINK that it's done. Once again, my EXPERIENCE is that this pad soldiers on.

Next time I lay down 85rd with one of my ratty soft green pads, I'll be sure that I post the results. I've been detailing for 25 years and rotary polishing for 16 of those. I think that qualifies me to speak on it.

**sulla** · 03-23-2012, 02:22 AM

I think there's a point of view as as a hobby detailer who has plenty of love for his/her car.. If you are not detailing for money then you are doing it to pamper your car's paint..And so you want only the best pad to touch you car. It's like soaping your toddlers you want the best/softest foam to touch them with. A pad looking like that doesn't look like the best pad to pamper the car...Unless polishing with the pictured pad vs a mint condition one will yield in more marring or require a second polishing step I don't see any reason for not using the pad in question other than for love of the car. Afterall AG products is geared towards DIYers/hobby detailers who uses for a year what pro detailers use in a month.

**Deep Gloss Auto Salon** · 03-23-2012, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by 07 z-oh-6

I'm speaking from experience. Then again, I would never let my pad get to that point before I switched out or bought a new pad. A pad looking like that will NOT have the cutting ability of a new pad(obviously) or even a semi-used pad. Why use a pad that's going to take longer or more work to accomplish your main goal? So the pad still has SOME cut, does that make is worthwhile to use? IMO, NO. If you cannot agree that it would be worthwhile to ditch that pad for a new pad, or even semi-used pad, I don't know what to tell you.

So you've admittedly never let a pad get that bad therefore, you do not know quantitatively how much (if any) the cut would be reduced? So, time loss is simply a theory.

Heck, I bet guys using too much product on a pad (which is very common) will reduce your cut a lot more than using a pad in the condition.

Just saying.

Jason

**Bates Detailing** · 03-23-2012, 06:36 AM

When I first started, I tossed pads out left and right - thinking they were bad after a few uses..... then realized when trying to be frugal, that I have some pads that have now been used on 30 + cars/rvs/buses/etc - I usually buy a new pad or two every couple of months to toss into the mix. Take the ones that are getting cuts in them and use them for hand applications, or give them to your local Amtgard Group

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...ringWar246.jpg

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 03-23-2012, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Deep Gloss Auto Salon

So you've admittedly never let a pad get that bad therefore, you do not know quantitatively how much (if any) the cut would be reduced? So, time loss is simply a theory.

Heck, I bet guys using too much product on a pad (which is very common) will reduce your cut a lot more than using a pad in the condition.

Just saying.

Jason

I haven't let a pad get THAT bad, but I have noticed reduced cut from a pad that was in better condition(still used plenty). Good enough? At that point, I will no longer use the pad. Yes, using too much product can reduce cut, but I know how much product to use. Bottom line, I have no desire to use a pad that looks like the one we're discussing(on paint).

**Marc08EX** · 03-23-2012, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by CEE DOG

Marc, Im late to the party since everything has been said but...

I would still use it for something but I might make it tire applicators by then. If it was originally an aggressive pad. It would probably be used to polish glass on the next car I did. If a finishing pad I would cut it into tire applicators.

I'm like you, I hate trashing something that still has life in it. But i also know time is money. Thus the tire applicators. Sounds like you have a 50/50 left/right brain struggle similar to my own.

Also, I think it depends on the cars and business. For some the 5-7$ loss in pad product is worth the gain of say 20$ in time. I think that's what Mark is getting at. But I say if you just use that pad for 105 on glass or some car where you don't need the full aggressiveness the original pad offered it can be used.

Also, I would suggest that depending on the polishes and whether you use a rotary or da along with the users technique it makes a difference how useful that pad is.

Thanks for your input Corey!! This is a Meguiar's W8006 polishing pad. I can definitely relate to the 50/50 brain struggle you're talking about. That's pretty much what's going on LOL!

Originally Posted by SpoiledMan

So even though a pad manufacturer that would love to sell you more pads says the pad is a go you still THINK that it's done. Once again, my EXPERIENCE is that this pad soldiers on.

Next time I lay down 85rd with one of my ratty soft green pads, I'll be sure that I post the results. I've been detailing for 25 years and rotary polishing for 16 of those. I think that qualifies me to speak on it.