Pad Conditioning Brush



These brushes clean and restores the texture of foam buffing pads that have become caked with oxidised paint wax and / or polish. The texture of foam results from thousands of tiny hollow compartments. This varied texture provides polishing and buffing power as the buffer spins.



Wax and polish get caked in the hollow compartments, making the texture of the pad smooth and therefore ineffective. Very inexpensive and a worthwhile investment as pads will last longer and by cleaning lessens the risk of hard wax scratching the paint surface



After polishing 2-3 panels you will need to clean the pad to remove oxidized paint and polish debris, by using a Foam Pad Conditioning Brush. Place the brush (this brush does not work with dual-action polishers) onto the face of a foam pad spinning at 1200 RPM on a rotary polisher, slowly starting at the centre and working outwards towards the outside edge. Repeat until the foam is free of polish dust and etc. Once the pad becomes overly saturated w/ polish clean with warn water and some APC. Spin to dry.



The pad does not have to be totally dry to use it again. After about 4 or 6 panel sections switch out to a fresh, clean pad.



Cleaning Pads



All pads have a performance cycle, meaning you will get the desired results only to a certain point on that curve. The point of declining performance is typically reached by polish / compound pad being overloaded with product; you should always be able to see the individual cells or texture of the pad, with proper, regular cleaning pad overload can be avoided.



Clean (or replace) you pads frequently: pads are easy to clean; the slotted pad face actually makes it easy to clean. Do not use the same pad to apply differing products as cross contamination will reduce the effectiveness or completely negate their purpose altogether. A new or freshly cleaned pad must be used with each type of car care product.



It is very important that you keep your working pad clean; as you go over the surface the removed polish and oxidation is being absorbed, which will become large abrasive fragments and will interfere with the cutting ability of the abrasives During the polishing process, trace amounts of paint and / or oxidation is removed; this can cause the debris and the polish to ‘load-up the foam’. This can cause a haze to the paint surface, or the hardened polish could cause scratches, a wipe-down or a paint cleaning product will eliminate this.



Most car care products contain polymer or oils that serve as surface lubricants. Even if you rinse the pad immediately after using it, the oily residue remains because oil and water are not miscible. To properly clean the wool or foam pads, you need to use a fairly strong cleaner that contains a degreaser; especially for pads that have been used for wax or sealant application as they are formulated to be detergent resistant



A common misconception is that a regular all purpose cleaner (APC) or detergents can be used to clean pads. While they do clean the pads but they also leave a soapy residue that doesn`t completely rinse out. This residue will reactivate the next time you use the pad.



Using (P21S Total Auto Wash or Optimum Power Clean ™) diluted 2:1 (or stronger) soak the foam pads in hand-hot water for about an hour. Then gently work the surface of your pads with your thumbs for a minute or two. Compress the pads individually (do not wring as this may damage the Velcro) under the water with the flat of your palms a few times. Drain the water and rinse thoroughly with warm water and compress the pads to drain the excess water. Place pads between two terry cloth towels and compress to remove water. You can also put them in the dryer using the setting for air dry (no heat) or spin them on a rotary by placing the pad in an empty bucket until excess water is removed.



Using Compressed Air - with the machine off and the pad face upwards hold the air nozzle close to the outer edge of the pad and allow the pad to spin, working from the outer edge to the centre. It takes very little air pressure to do this as you should avoid causing high RPM as the foam may delaminate from the Velcro



A clean or fresh pad will restore the intended abrasive ability, were as a saturated foam pads abrasive ability will decrease (note dried or caked on polish will increase risk of surface scratches) clean often with a soft fairly stiff brush or pad spur.



It is very important that you keep your working pad clean; as you go over the surface the removed polish and oxidation is being absorbed, which will become large abrasive fragments and will interfere with the cutting ability of the abrasives



1. Clean and / or replace pads as often as is necessary; a clean seasoned pad will enhance the abrasive abilities of the compound / polish and make the process not only more efficient but less time consuming.



2. During the polishing process, trace amounts of paint and / or oxidation is removed; this can cause the debris and the polish to “load up” the pad (you should always be able to see the pores of the foam pad)This can cause a haze , or holograms on the paint surface, a wipe-down or a paint cleaning product will eliminate this.



3. Use a brush to clean the pad after each time you polish a section, as it keeps the pad from accumulating too much polish on the paint surface but the pad remains saturated, avoiding the necessity of adding as much polish as the first panel or two.



4. After using foam pads place in some water with P21S Total Auto Wash or Optimum Power Clean™. This keeps your pads moist and begins the cleaning process while you finish detailing. Never allow a used pad to air dry before it is washed.



5. When you are ready to clean them, rinse well, re-wash, squeezing out reside between a folded towel (do not wring as this may weaken the Velcro™ )and then ‘spin’ drying them on the polisher or leave to air-dry Velcro™ side up on a grit guard or drying rack



6. Duospur™ Cleaning Tool, this patented tool is effective for "on the fly" cleaning of both foam and wool pads. Features large non-staining nylon spurs for fast cleaning while spinning on the buffer. Also has an abrasive plate on both sides of the tool for reshaping and rebalancing damaged foam pads. Foam pads will "load-up" with product at different rates, and will require wiping with a coarse towel. If the pad becomes dry or caked with compound/polish, spur the pad with a foam cleaning tool.



7. You can also use a terry cloth towel, fold it in two and then simply hold the towel against the face of the pad and then turn the polisher on and push the towel into the foam. This will remove excess liquid and clean any residue from the face of the pad.



8. Store cleaned, dry wash media (wash mitts, sponges, etc), foam pads, micro fibre towels, foam applicators in plastic zip lock bags (only 90% close if contents are damp to avoid mildew / mould formation) and place the bags in a plastic storage or wall cabinets



Foam Pad Maintenance / Care



Don’t use the same pad for different products, dedicate a pad for wax, one for polish, one for machine polish, and etc unless they are washed first When working in close proximity to hood ornaments, metal trim etc avoid forcing the pad against them as it may cause the foam to tear.



• Pads must be kept free of dried-on product residue to ensure their flexibility and to ensure that they can maintain complete contact with uneven surfaces.

• Clean residue from pads often with a soft horse hair brush, nylon or metal may damage the foam

• Don’t clean pads that have been used with polishing or compound products in a washing machine. The grit will compromise the seals.

• Wash pads after use and air dry them

• Don’t store pads in an airtight container as this causes mould

• Store pads where they can expand unrestricted

• Don’t stack pads where other objects could deform or crease them.



When removing the foam pad from the backing plate do not just grab the foam and pull or you may find it separates, hold the Velcro and gently pull the pad to prevent any damage



Cleaning and Care



Clean and / or replace pads as often as is necessary; a clean seasoned pad will enhance the abrasive abilities of the compound / polish and make the process not only more efficient but less time consuming.



Polishing pads can "load-up" with residues reducing their effectiveness; you should always be able to see the pores of the pad. Don`t let polish residues dry in the pad as dried hardened polish can cause scratches. If you don`t want to stop in the middle of polishing to clean pads, plan on using 2 or4 pads for each polishing step on the average vehicle. Don`t let polish residues dry in the pad.



When you remove a dirty pad from your polishing machine, immediately place it in a bucket of water with a d-limonene (citrus) based cleaner (P21STotal Auto Wash or Optimum Power Clean™)





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