Another noob question: Cleaning LC Pads

K

ka1srs

New member
I Dawn'd/clayed/Klasse AIO-SG in the fall, and everything is still very shiny and slick.



Just rain so far.



But we'll see some snow in Central Ohio.



One "trick" I use is WD-40 in the wheel wells...to keep crud from sticking.



The car is garaged and I run to a nearby coin-op for rinses if there is salt.



I'm open to any suggestions for products that'll help.
 
I think you'd almost be better off rinseing in your own driveway. Whenever I drive by thoese coin-op carwashes I cringe at the though of my car being blasted my high pressure.



You might also want to think about using a good water-based dressing such as 303 or Vynlex to dress the seals of your door jambs, etc. as the cold weather dries they out and speeds of the process of them dry rotting.



Finnally, Wash as frequently as possible to remove the salt and junk from your car!
 
Hey everyone. Hope you dont mind me posting this under the newbie section. And its probably already answered but I am in a time crunch and do no have much time to go looking. Anyways...I got my LC pads and am wondering how to clean them the best so they last as long. I know I can order the Snappy Cleaner Packets. But I dont want to keep ordering them and spending the money if there is a cheaper and just as effective way to do so. So anyone know a way I can take care of my pads without ordering packets every month or two?

Thanks,
Gimlet
 
glfahlc said:
after use i soak mine in soapy water for a time. then rinse real good and set em out to air dry
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I also agree with this but i also use a soft bristle bush and clean out any left over product and it also helps to get out some of the deeper crap left behind .
 
Gimlet said:
by soapy water do you mean dish soap or the left over from washing the car?
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If this is how you are going to clean the pads, then a dish soap is likely going to work better. But it will take a long time to rinse the residue completely out of hhe pad. I use Meguiar's Super Degreaser diluted 10:1 (water:degreaser) and dunk the pad underwater to help rinse it.
 
While there are many ways people clean their pads, the biggest point on using Snappy Clean is it was developed for this specific task. The chances of leaving residue in the pad, that could cause contamination problems latter, or pad failure from improper cleaning, is greatly diminished. We have found a number of people that have problems with various polishes or sealants have used a variety of detergents to clean their pads and did not rinse the residue of the detergent out correctly. When you purchase the S-CLEAN12 (12 pack), use your TID discount, the price comes down to .82 per use. Not really expensive to properly clean the 4-5-6 pads you may have paid $60 for.

jk
 
Cleaning them shorty after using them is key IMO. If you let them sit for a few days (Like I usually do) they are a lot harder to get clean. If you get to them before the polish gets all dried and crusty they usually wash out with ease. I've really been trying to be a lot more diligent on cleaning mine immediately after use lately. ;)


The pad washers and snappy clean are nice, but I often just resort to using an APC as Todd suggested, though I've been using APC+ instead of Super Degreaser. ;)
 
Gimlet:
When you completed your initial signup, you would receive a Welcome e-mail from me.
In that e-mail is a mention of your TID discount code.
The code is TID10.
It's good on most all of the products sold at PAC.

Hope this helps.
 
I saturate the pad surface with Meguiar's APC, let soak for 15 minutes or so, then immerse in a sink of warm water and scrub them with a stiff brush to release all the polish. Rinse with clear water and let air dry on a towel.
 
Bill - have you seen any difference with Meg's APC vs APC+? I only have the + so I am wondering if the foaming stuff works better for cleaning pads.
 
I just wash up 10 pads today from yesterdays detail with snappy clean, they all look new again for the next job coming up.
 
Ditto on the replies - buy enough pad cleaner as it is a cheap investment.

EXCEPT for pads used to apply BFWD. That stuff laughs at pad cleans - like water off a duck's back. I recently tried this process:

> Place BFWD soaked pad face up on a couple layers of paper towels, a couple more to cover the pad
> Use a 1" dowel, or better yet a rolling pin from the kitchen gadget store and slowly roll out the pad, wiping the pin with a paper towel as you roll it out (squeezes a lot of product out)
> Place pad in a pail/bucket slightly larger than the diameter of the pad
> Soak pad with 70% IPA (isoplorple alchohol) - cheap from Sam's Club, Costco, etc. - no need to "fill" the pail, just soak the pad real well
> Gently work it with your fingers
> Remove pad and gently wring out the IPA
> Place on a couple clean paper towels, place a couple more over the pad and push down to help dry

Pad will air dry in about 15 minutes

You'll see the residue IPA turn to the color of BFWD. Your pad will not look "new" but it will not have that "feel" you get after trying to use a regular pad cleaner. Typical cost to clean a 6.5" Gold pad: twenty five cents (priced with Sam's Club 70% IPA in 2-pack).

Regards,
GEWB
 
grungy said:
Bill - have you seen any difference with Meg's APC vs APC+? I only have the + so I am wondering if the foaming stuff works better for cleaning pads.
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As far as cleaning ability goes, I don't think the foaming action will make any difference. I use Meg's Super Degreaser, which doesn't foam, and it works excellent on cleaning pads. :clap:
 
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