PFW Wash or not to Wash

[maxepr1]

Just got some PFW to use with my Flex. Should I wash them in the WM before using or not. Will washing them cut down on the linting? Thanks guy`s

[Accumulator]

How`s this for an answer: I don`t know!



Whenever I`ve washed mine they seem to end up worse off for it, less "foamed" if you will. But then I`ve only washed them after considerable use too.



I`d get somebody`s definite "it`s OK" before you do it.

[maxepr1]

Thanks Accumulator, I thought I would pose the question. I have seen regular wool pads not washed and it seems like they make an alot of lint! More lint than compound dust!! So I take it you just take yours out of the bag and right to the backing plate they go? So how are you cleaning after use? Thanks

[Accumulator]

So I take it you just take yours out of the bag and right to the backing plate they go?



Yep. Well, I wipe any loose fibers off with my fingers but that`s it.




So how are you cleaning after use?



Actually, I`m not cleaning them at all recently. I use `em until they`re pretty much trashed and then toss them. I treat them like disposable pads, but note that I don`t use them all that often, only on the infrequent big, nasty jobs.

[Bert]

Accum, you not the first person I have seen post that PFW are not the same after their first use and washing. I guess once mine are used up I will take David Fermani`s advice and switch over to the Black Foamed Wool Pads he orders from a company I think call Micro Surface??? They seem to be much more durable and cheaper also.

[SuperBee364]

I take them right out of the plastic bag, put them on the rotary, spur them, and use them. Obviously you can`t spur them if you`re gonna use them on a DA, but you could at least brush them.



I think brand new PFW`s perform better (particularly, they leave a better finish) when they are brand new and haven`t gotten wet. PFW`s still *work* after they are wet/dried, but never as well as when they`re new from a bag. I`ve tested this *extensively* on soft black paint, and I can tell you without a doubt, it`s true: new PFW`s *will* finish better than ones that have been wet and dried.

[Darkstar752]

I just wait till the polish dries and then brush everything I can off until it`s clean. I tried washing them once, didn`t work that well. Still finishes down very nicely.

[maxepr1]

Whats the difference between black wool and PFW??