How often do you clean your PC pads?

**zesty-man** · 10-03-2004, 12:54 PM

how often do you guys clean your PC pads? ive noticied recently that ive been cleaning it more and more often for some reason. sometimese i do a car, then i just want to clean the pad anyways, to get the product off and to make sure theres no dust.

is it really necessary to clean your PC pads this much? thanks

**Woob** · 10-03-2004, 02:15 PM

I clean mine after each major detail or when I know the product shouldn`t sit at all, which is frequently.

**Anthony O.** · 10-03-2004, 04:46 PM

One should not allow the product to cake and dry with foam pads but clean them after each use. This adds to their longer use. Swirls can be introduced with dirty and/or worn pads.

Personally I clean my foam pads during and after use and my wool pads are spurred every panel.

Anthony

**gnev8** · 10-03-2004, 05:19 PM

I am using the edge double sided, so when one side starts to cake I turn it over.
I clean them after each use.

I like to start each detail with clean pads, towels, and applicators.

**NYV6Coupe** · 10-03-2004, 06:59 PM

I clean all soiled pads before I store them away, every time.

In my mind, could be right & I could be wrong, dried or caked product could introduce swirls next time I use them. Also, the products that contain petroleum distillates (solvents) could damage the foam if left on for an extented time.

just my $.02

**CharlesW** · 10-03-2004, 08:17 PM

My Meguiar`s pads say to just brush the surface with a brush after use rather than wash the pads. Because of that, I thought I would not wash them and see how things worked out.
But, while I did that after a recent use, when I took the pads out I couldn`t bring myself to use them in that condition. :brick
So, needless to say they were washed before they were used for my most recent applications and were washed afterwards as well. In the future I will wash them before I put them away just as I had been doing in the past.

Charles

**TW85** · 10-03-2004, 08:44 PM

After every use. I put them in the laundry sink with a bit of woolite, let sit for a few minutes, squeeze each pad a few times to rinse out the product, and then thoroughly rinse with water.

**mgm2003** · 10-04-2004, 07:57 AM

Ditto TW85.

Do you guys ever clean your pads DURING a detail and continue using them? I`ve noticed additional marring when using damp pads.

**CharlesW** · 10-04-2004, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by mgm2003

Ditto TW85.

Do you guys ever clean your pads DURING a detail and continue using them? I`ve noticed additional marring when using damp pads.

No, but I have several pads and would just switch pads if I thought there was some reason to discontinue using one during a process.
FWIW, I am sure I have read that dampening a pad will sometimes increase the abrasiveness of some products. I don`t know if that is true, but it might explain your marring problem.

Charles

**mtodde** · 10-04-2004, 08:10 AM

If a pad gets really gunked up while I`m using it I`ll using my cleaning spur...it helps to "refresh" the pad a bit, but isn`t the same as washing the pad.