how many pads do you guys go through on a detail?

[Mindflux]

Originally Posted by SuperBee364

Oh man, it's gettting harder and harder to resist getting a pad washer. But I think I'm leaning toward the System 2000 one. If it had an airtight lid like the other one, it'd be a done deal.

Hit up AG.net for one 119 shipped with your ago coupon code. there is a great review on detailersclub by Bret on this system. Surprised you aren't on there.

[SuperBee364]

I used to lurk there quite a bit... Haven't since last fall, though. Think I'll check out his review.

[rydawg]

I use to have one years ago and it was nice. If I used wool pads all the time I would definatly get one. It is a must have for wool pads!

Super, this has your name written all over it.

[charlesaferg]

Originally Posted by JonP

I agree with what he said, I have several pads in wool and foam. It's bad enough to have backups for just one. I have two rotaries and a Flex, imagine having enough pads to go around for them all.

I don't really do a full cleaning of a pad while I'm working, I mean I'll de-gunk it, but usually to finish off what I'm doing before I replace it on the next section/panel etc...
I always carry as many spares as I feel I will need. (I usually know when I visit my cusomer and examine the vehicle. I usually detail the interior first anyways, so if I run into any problems I can always reschedule with the client having a nice clean interior to admire before I come back for the exterior. Yet, this has never happend so far, so I'm not concerned. Yes, I have had to drastically change my pad coices from what I expected, but I'm good about having a good selection with me at all times. It's important when you're mobile like myself.

LC CCS 6.5" pads work for everything excelt spot work, which I have a few various others such as the mini foamed wool 4" and the usual colored foam 4". Of course, I have 6.5" foamed wool as well.

With regards to the LC CCS foam, I use all the colors except red. (I really don't need it because I do most of my LSP application by hand, and the blue is just wonderful for sealant application, won't mar and doesn't absorb much) Although I just bought green because I have found myself using white and grey more often and I'd like something in between. Looks like it would do great.

If you think about it though, it's quite a versatile setup.
I've got a Metabo PE 12-175, Flex 3401 VRG, and my ol' PC 7424.
I use them all quite regularly.

BY THE WAY: Green LC CCS, anybody notice the dimples are much more pronounced in this than the other colors?

[Scottwax]

If the product I am using cleans out of the pad easily, I can usually use 1 pad per step, but with single stage paint or using M105, I usually swap pads halfway through. When doing finishing polishing, it is very rare I have to switch pads.

[Picus]

I must be a little over zealous with my pads, I will use 10-15 or even more when multi-stepping a car. I generally find when cutting I'll go through 7-10 easily to do a car. I really, really dislike bogged pads.

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by rydawg

I use to have one years ago and it was nice. If I used wool pads all the time I would definatly get one. It is a must have for wool pads!

Super, this has your name written all over it.

The Secretary of the Treasury says that Father's Day is just around the corner. I told her I want a gallon of ONR, the System 2000 Pad Washer, and a Kitchen Pass so I can spend the whole day detailing. I don't think I've ever heard her laugh quite that hard...

[rydawg]

Originally Posted by Picus

I must be a little over zealous with my pads, I will use 10-15 or even more when multi-stepping a car. I generally find when cutting I'll go through 7-10 easily to do a car. I really, really dislike bogged pads.

I am right there with ya

[gmblack3a]

Originally Posted by SuperBee364

Bryan, do you use the system 2000 on a pad, and then use that same pad immediately? I'm just curious if the pad cleaner or wetness of the pad ever causes any problems.

I wash in the pad washer and spin dry in another 3-5 gallon bucket, that way I can keep some of the polish residue out of the pad washer. You will still get plenty of polish residue in the pad washer.

With wool its no issue at all. After washing and spinning (max speed on the rotary) it as dry as I can, I run my hand over the pad at lowest speed. This will usually finish drying it out. This also helps to shed some of the wool off on a new pad.

Foam and spinning dry will still leave the pad damp. I usually set it out in the sun or dry it with one of my air movers. I have at least 2 of each foam pad that I use.

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

I wash in the pad washer and spin dry in another 3-5 gallon bucket, that way I can keep some of the polish residue out of the pad washer. You will still get plenty of polish residue in the pad washer.

With wool its no issue at all. After washing and spinning (max speed on the rotary) it as dry as I can, I run my hand over the pad at lowest speed. This will usually finish drying it out. This also helps to shed some of the wool off on a new pad.

Foam and spinning dry will still leave the pad damp. I usually set it out in the sun or dry it with one of my air movers. I have at least 2 of each foam pad that I use.

Great info, thanks!

[Picus]

Originally Posted by rydawg

I am right there with ya

I counted today. Black LS430, needed quite a bit of compounding. 28 pads, 18 oranges, 5 white, 5 grey.