Colossal Mistake

Huarache · 01-10-07, 06:21

I decided to move to Edge pads a few months ago, and have loved them. I save up to 20 minutes per polish session from just flipping the pad instead of getting a new one or cleaning the old one. I haven't done any major correction as all the vehicles I see are relatively marr-free.

Background... did a little mini-detail with PB's new PwS and topped with AJT. Left town and came back. Was looking over the car and noticed some sort of residue on the rear bumper... Clay.. nothing. WD-40... nothing.... FPII on polish pad... nothing. This stuff was hard as a rock. So I got out the Edge orange and OC. Began working it in, medium pressure... no more than 15-20 pounds. Noticed the reside was starting to come off, so I kept the pressure the same and did a few more passes, on the last pass, I realized that that I was no longer polishing paint, but the bumper material.

Super awesome. I'm extatic at this point. So much that I manage to break a few things around the garage.

I slow down, get ahold of myself, and take a gander at the pad:

These might be a bit blurry.

And one more for awesemely good measure:

It seems that the pad was torn.. somehow. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this one. I was on the edge of the bumper, but the pad was flat on the top of the surface. The pad is incredibly pliable, unlike when it was new... Its been used maybe four times. The pad material is burned like it touched the adapter, burned, then tore away from the weakened portion. The middle plate in there seemed to have gotten ahold of the paint and produced the results you see here.

So... user error? In all likelihood.

Defective pad? Perhaps.

Incredibly costly mistake? Absolutely.

Lesson learned? Yes.

Learn from me.

Sergei · 01-10-07, 06:44

Aaron from Edge should see this. I am shocked. This was one of biggest fears. But I won't conclude anything until the experts see this.

Spilchy · 01-10-07, 07:01

The single and only reason why I do NOT use Edge pads...period.

mopar · 01-10-07, 07:07

Is this used on a rotary, because Ive burnt paint on every car Ive used a rotary on, usually wont happen on a flat surfaces.
Looks like too much pressure compounded by pressing into a corner cavity, caused to much compression of the pad, and scorched the paint and pad.

Huarache · 01-10-07, 07:09

Just a PC, and what I wouldn't think would be enough pressure to get through the pad... but as you can see, I'm wrong all the time.

mopar · 01-10-07, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huarache

Just a PC, and what I wouldn't think would be enough pressure to get through the pad... but as you can see, I'm wrong all the time.

That sucks, I know how you must feel, I did it to my Tundra my daughters civic and my sons Jeep, I had to learn to paint its gotten so bad, recently I got a PC to stop this, I guess i better be careful. thanks for sharing this.

mgm121499 · 01-10-07, 07:29

Man, I hate to see that happen, and can understand your frustration.

Please don't take my reply as a jab, because I'm not trying to do that at all.

This looks like an 'end user error' to me. Although I don't use Edge pads routinely, I have used them several times, and I can't imagine you hitting the center plate, without applying excessive pressure while running the polisher down the middle of the pad.

I have several 3M wool pads for my rotary that are attached by a metal bolt, through the middle of the pad, and have never had this problem, but I'm sure I could do this, if I tried.

We've all made mistakes.

My point is to consider your operation/use before pointing at the manufacturer.

Fair enough?

Huarache · 01-10-07, 07:34

Absolutely fair, as you see, I mentioned that user error was the most likely culprit. I'm not pointing fingers at all. I'm honestly confused at how the pad ended up like that. All I have is that the pad was as flat on the surface as it could be, and I wasn't applying anywhere near what I typically deem to be excessive pressure. I've spent hours over the scale making sure I'm around 15-20 lbs when compounding.

I don't mean this as a jab at Edge, but this isn't the first, or even the 20th vehicle I've polished. I'm no where near an expert, but I've got a handle on what i"m doing.

So, what this boils down to, is merely a warning for those using edge pads, not a warning to avoid them, and certainly not a plea for "Pity me, edge pads ruined my bumper."

mgm121499 · 01-10-07, 07:36

Does the center plastic 'backing' piece that you connect to the edge adapter feel loose between your pads?

Huarache · 01-10-07, 07:42

I can't check on that right now as the pad is in my brother's garage where my supplies are housed until my house gets finished. I'll check on it, but from what I remember, that piece was intact and seemed to be in good order.

Yal · 01-10-07, 08:13

Wow! So sorry

This is one of the things I was afraid off when i was thinking about getting the edge system. I figured because i am a noob with the PC I may just make this exact kind of mistake, so I better go with the regular pads.

sevenrd · 01-10-07, 08:30

No matter whether it was user error, pad failure, or a combo of both, so sorry to see this happen to you.

I use the edge system for the rotary and have had success so far. But still, seeing something like this scares me a bit.