Foam pads deforming, two questions

**WaxAddict** · 04-24-2015, 08:49 PM

I have two separate questions relating to foam pads deforming. These two questions are unrelated, I believe.

First up is a permanently deformed orange 4" LC CSS pad. Look at the pad on the left, "A", compared to the normal-looking "B" pad. Pad "A" is obviously sunken and concaved, and it`s permanent. The inner part has very little elasticity left. What happened to this pad? My idea is, it had too little product, and got too hot, and the foam melted. Only happened this once, but I don`t want it again!

My second question has to do with a pad while it is still on the polisher, while it is free spinning in air. I`ve had pads start to exhibit a flaring-out nature, becoming trapezoidal as shown in "B" below. Note that this is temporary - the pad is fine after a cleaning. Is this flaring effect a sign that the pad is WET or is it saturated with product? Maybe it`s caused by applying polish too close to the edge? The pads start to misbehave at this point, and need swapped.

Thanks for any advice!

**Setec Astronomy** · 04-24-2015, 09:37 PM

Yeah, I think you`ve got it right, you overheated that first pad, and your illustration shows a heavy, saturated pad.

**WaxAddict** · 04-25-2015, 10:24 AM

Thanks Setec. That being the case, using a proper amount of product - not too much, not too little - is key.

**Setec Astronomy** · 04-25-2015, 11:03 AM

I don`t really think you`ll overheat the pad from too little product. Product saturation increases heat transfer since the foam isn`t a great thermal conductor by itself.

**WaxAddict** · 04-25-2015, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

I don`t really think you`ll overheat the pad from too little product. Product saturation increases heat transfer since the foam isn`t a great thermal conductor by itself.

Makes sense! Me like learn.

**Accumulator** · 04-25-2015, 01:16 PM

Especially since that`s (apparently) a light-cut pad, it may very well still work fine. Now if it were something for the final polishing, then maybe I`d be hesitant to try it, but not an orange pad.