Product Review: Grit Guard Pad Washer

[TroyScherer]

Product Review: Grit Guard Pad Washer









Introduction:


The Grit Guard Pad Washer always looked like one of those expensive toys that I always wanted but never would buy, simply because I could wash my pads by hand and I could make due. Luckily I was given one of these for Christmas as a gift and my pad washing world was changed forever.









Product Description / Claims:


The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer is the first and only pad washer that cleans all types of buffing pads on dual action and random orbital buffers. Clean foam pads, wool pads, buffing bonnets – you name it! The unique design of the Universal Pad Washer accommodates any dual action polisher to clean pads without even removing them from the machine!



The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer uses the power of your polisher to agitate pads. You don’t have to scrub and scrape – just let the polisher do the work for you. Insert the pad into the pad washer, turn on your polisher and let the grid insert clean and dry all your buffing pads.



Unlike other pad washing systems, the Universal Pad Washer works with all polishers. The grid insert’s large diameter allows pads of all sizes to make contact, no matter how big the orbit. Even the Cyclo can be used with this pad washer! The opening of the pad washer is adjustable to accommodate any pad size and polisher. Clean pads on your Porter Cable 7424XP, FLEX XC 3401 VRG, and Meguiars G110. The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer accommodates all dual action polishers.



The grid insert’s height is adjustable. Simply press your polisher down until the pad is in the water and making contact with the grid. The grid insert is supported by springs so no manual adjustment is needed. Just press down and turn the polisher on at its slowest speed. The downward force pumps water upward to help clean the pad.











Product Details:


Packaging: The Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer includes the pad washer complete with Splash Guard, the Extension, a Gamma-Seal Lid, and a 4 oz. spray bottle of Pad Renewing Solution

Directions: The Directions are clear and self explanatory

Color: Red

Scent: Plastic

Pricing: $134.99












http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/662/Grit_Guard_1.JPG (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3383)









Pad Cleaning Tips:




1. Keep the pad’s Velcro® brand backing out of the water when using the Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer.

2. When using a dual action polisher, make a mark on the backing plate with a permanent marker. This mark will indicate to you when the pad has made a full rotation. If it is not rotating, lighten up your pressure.

3. Fill with the appropriate level of water. Press down on the grid insert until the springs are fully compressed. Fill until the water level reaches just above the Insert. When you press down on the grid insert with the polisher, the springs will pump water upwards to the pad.

4. Always operate the pad washer with the Splash Guard closed.

5. For heavily soiled pads, spin the pad in the pad washer for 10 seconds to thoroughly wet it. Then spray on the Pad Renewing Solution and let it penetrate for 1 minute. Then use the pad washer again to clean the pad.

6. Always use the Dual Action Pad Washer with the polisher on its lowest setting for cleaning. You can use a slightly higher setting for drying.

7. Move the polisher around inside the pad washer to be sure all parts of the pad are cleaned.











Warnings or Precautions:


Your using power tools around water. Just be careful and make sure you tools are grounded properly.









Testing:


As far as a review goes I will let the video do the talking for me.



Grit Guard Pad Washer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-Hpbd97tg)







Here are just a few extra Pictures.



Setup for Cleaning:

http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/662/Grit_Guard_4.JPG (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3386)







Pad Before:

http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/662/Grit_Guard_6.JPG (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3388)







Pad After:

http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/data/662/Grit_Guard_7.JPG (http://www.autopiaforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3389)











Pros:






Makes pad cleaning a breeze

Allows you to truly clean pads on the fly

Works with DA & Rotary













Cons:






Cost

Having to pull everything apart to wash it.













Questions:




1. Why didn`t I get one sooner?











Final Thought / Summary:


The Grit Gaurd Pad washer truly makes cleaning your pads easier. Is it something that everyone should run out and buy? No. If you are weekender that only does their only vehicle and only ever has a few pads to clean then you don`t truly a pad washer. But if you are business owner and you have lots of pads to clean then you should really that a serious look into getting one. Time is money even when cleaning pads and this can make quick work of it.

[Ron Ketcham]

The Phoenix has risen!

Back in the late 80`s and early 90`s, these units, marketed by another company, under another name were out there.

Many auction`s detail departments bought them and some larger independant shops.

Then, they just faded away, looks like things do repeat.

Excellent write up on the unit!

[C. Charles Hahn]

The Phoenix has risen!

Back in the late 80`s and early 90`s, these units, marketed by another company, under another name were out there.

Many auction`s detail departments bought them and some larger independant shops.

Then, they just faded away, looks like things do repeat.

Excellent write up on the unit!



The ones you`re thinking of are probably somewhat different than this; those were rotary-only with a "spur" that also splashed water on the pad:



http://bigdaddycarwash.com/shop/images/tolae_2113_23290773.jpg



The GG washer is set up so it can be used with any kind of polisher and just uses a Grit Guard insert... more versatile and, at least in my opinion, more effective.



http://www.malcoautomotive.com/Images/Products/Large/pad_washer_cross_section.jpg



I use mine all the time... works great!

[Bert]

The ones you`re thinking of are probably somewhat different than this; those were rotary-only with a "spur" that also splashed water on the pad:



http://bigdaddycarwash.com/shop/images/tolae_2113_23290773.jpg



The GG washer is set up so it can be used with any kind of polisher and just uses a Grit Guard insert... more versatile and, at least in my opinion, more effective.



http://www.malcoautomotive.com/Images/Products/Large/pad_washer_cross_section.jpg



I use mine all the time... works great!



The one with the spurs I believe is Lake Country`s System 2000. Probably the ideal washer if you are only using a rotary and wool. Probably not as useful with foam or microfiber and I am not sure if a DA would even spin the spurs to splash water. The grit guard wash may not work as well was the System 2000 for wool on a rotary but it worked good enough for me when I was using purple foamed wool last spring for compounding and worked great with my foam on a DA. I really like mine. When washing on the fly, I just use water. I am not sure how cleaners would affect my polish, AIO, glaze, sealant, wax, etc.. and water cleans them off find. Run my polisher in the Universal Grit Guard washer for a few seconds, left up and spin most of the water out, blow pad with air compressor (optional) and back to polishing.

[Ron Ketcham]

All I am saying is it`s just a new version of an idea that has been around the block a few times.

[imported_Quenga]

I use this thing as a pre-cleaning, but stick all my pads in the washer for probably no damn reason other than my OCD. I bought it even when I was "just a weekender". It`s a $100, but in the long run...it`s only $100.

[imported_Rcrew]

Still shocked I paid $130+ for this, but it does work well.

[craze.global]

10 most expensive Cars in the world | globalcraze.comglobalcraze.com (http://www.globalcraze.com/10-most-expensive-cars-in-the-world/)

[IHA Mark]

Thanks for the review Troy! I`m going to be picking one of these up sometime this summer. I`m sick of washing dozens of pads in the sink. :)

[TroyScherer]

Thanks for the review Troy! I`m going to be picking one of these up sometime this summer. I`m sick of washing dozens of pads in the sink. :)





Thanks Mark.



It is a good tool to have when you need it.