Cleaning foam pads?

[imported_RedlineIRL]

What are you all using nowadays to remove stubborn polishes and LSP from foam pads? I have tried a few different products designed for cleaning foam pads, but they just aren't getting them cleaned out. I have heard of using Dawn Powerclean or standard dish soap, but are either of these safe to use on the pads and will they rinse totally free of any soaps? What do you all regularly use and suggest?

 

[BigAl3]

dawn power dissolver has worked well for me, and very little goes a long way (apc has never got the pads totally clean for me). also, it looks like cyclo has a pad cleaner as well available at TOTL. megs also has a new dyno pad cleaner that's coming out if it isn't already...

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

That DynaCone cleaner is great stuff; they already include a small bottle of it in their wheel polishing kit, and I'll definitely be picking up a big bottle once it's available. Sometimes the Grit Guard Pad Washer doesn't quite do the trick, and I really don't like cleaning LSP pads with it.

 

[Bunky]

Sometimes the Grit Guard Pad Washer doesn't quite do the trick, and I really don't like cleaning LSP pads with it.

Why? Do you think it damages the pad?

 

[Barry Theal]

Why? Do you think it damages the pad?

Softer pads that have a high PPI rating get ripped quite easily in them. Just have to be carefull.

 

[togwt]

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 and some contain harsh cleaners that may weaken the foam, causing them to fail. This residue will reactivate the next time you use the pad.



Using (P21S®® Total Auto Wash or Optimumâ„¢ Polymer Technologies - 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.



Use the GritGuard® Universal Pad Washer - works with (Orbital, Rotary, Cyclo, and etc) a combination of agitation and detergent. The agitator wheels do all the work. You just hold the polisher. You’ll not only have clean pads, you’ll have clean hands. Once you’ve washed the pad, simply tilt the machine so the pad is out of the water. Continue running the polisher to remove the excess water. All the sling-off is contained within the bucket so there’s no mess.



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®



Use a Duospurâ„¢ 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.



The Duo-Spur has three side-by-side wheels with raised teeth. The agitation of the Duo-Spur and the buffer make cleaning fast and effortless. If your pad becomes caked while you are polishing, use the Duo-Spur to quickly remove some of the excess product and then continue polishing

 

[Accumulator]

I do mine by hand with Dawn, or Dawn Power Dissolver, or if needed Optimum Power Clean. No problems with those messing up the foam or adhesive, and they all rinse out if I put in the time and effort.

 

[hacadacalopolis]

I do mine by hand with Dawn, or Dawn Power Dissolver, or if needed Optimum Power Clean. No problems with those messing up the foam or adhesive, and they all rinse out if I put in the time and effort.

Everything as you said for me as well



I have found collinite is one hell of a mess to clean up in pads, so i designate to pads specifically for it

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Why? Do you think it damages the pad?

Softer pads that have a high PPI rating get ripped quite easily in them. Just have to be carefull.

Correct; before I knew any better I practically destroyed a Crimson HT pad. Now with an adjusted technique I don't have much of those sort of issues, but like you say it's good to be careful. One thing is I never clean foam pads in it with a rotary, always a DA because it decreases the chance of damage.



Past that, I find it's harder to clean the pad washer up after using it on LSP pads, and I really don't like the idea of cross-contamination with pads I use for correction. I might feel differently on that front if I had two pad washers so I wouldn't chance leaving sealant or wax behind.