how many pads do you guys go through on a detail?

G

Gopher

New member
I've got a question for the non-pros or i suppose pros doing a single vehicle.



I'm seeing recommendations of having numerous pads on hand for when one gums up/for changes of product. I don't have multiples of any color pad and have merely cleaned my pads with a brush if it becomes an issue.



This may be a silly question, but is there any reason, other than convenience to have backup pads? Do you guys use more than one of a certain type of pad with a certain polish for each pass on a car?



I'm seeing posts where people are recommending individuals with new buffers buy 3 cutting and 3 polishing pads... seems a little excessive for a weekend warrior at $13 bucks each.
 
Gopher said:
..........but is there any reason, other than convenience to have backup pads?.............
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Two quick reasons come to mind. The first is it saves time having a fresh pad when you need it rather than stopping to clean it. The second reason for having a spare/s is if a pad gets ruined. The Velcro could come loose, the pad get caught on something and get torn, or it could get contaminated with a grit like substance. It would be a shame to have to stop 1/2 way through a polish just because a pad went bad and you didn't have a spare.
 
I agree with what he said, I have several pads in wool and foam. It's bad enough to have backups for just one. I have two rotaries and a Flex, imagine having enough pads to go around for them all. :eek:
 
I usually aim for at least half a dozen to a dozen of each color of the rainbow for foam and a couple purple wools. Those in addition to my "old" EDGE pads.
 
I have at least two of the double sided edge 2k pads in all colors of wool, at least four in each color and size (4, 6.5, and 7.5) LC foam, 8 LC 6.5" PFW, 3 3M blue waffle weave, and two double sided 6" edge 2k red wave foam.



It usually takes anywhere from 4 to 6 PFW's for one vehicle, and that's with spurring after each application. Usually 2 to 4 foam pads per vehicle for final finishing, depending on what polish is being used. Ultrafina tends to load foam pads up like they're sponges, so it takes more pads for UF than, say, 106FF.
 
I always have lots of pads as backup. I will normally wash a pad out 10-20 times on each car for each stage of compounding/polishing. Keeping your pads clean will extend the life of them and give you maximum polishing power. I normally use LC pads due to the extra longevity of them and superb build quality.
 
rydawg said:
I always have lots of pads as backup. I will normally wash a pad out 10-20 times on each car for each stage of compounding/polishing. Keeping your pads clean will extend the life of them and give you maximum polishing power. I normally use LC pads due to the extra longevity of them and superb build quality.
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Ryan told me this a while back and since I always clean my pads (wool or foam) after each panel on a car that has average sized panels. If the car or truck is larger then twice per panel. I have the system 2000 pad washer and I use it alot.
 
gmblack3a said:
Ryan told me this a while back and since I always clean my pads (wool or foam) after each panel on a car that has average sized panels. If the car or truck is larger then twice per panel. I have the system 2000 pad washer and I use it alot.
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Bryan, do you use the system 2000 on a pad, and then use that same pad immediately? I'm just curious if the pad cleaner or wetness of the pad ever causes any problems.
 
SuperBee364 said:
Bryan, do you use the system 2000 on a pad, and then use that same pad immediately? I'm just curious if the pad cleaner or wetness of the pad ever causes any problems.
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This is why you spin them 'dry' right after you clean them. It ends up no wetter than a primed pad. :)
 
Mindflux said:
This is why you spin them 'dry' right after you clean them. It ends up no wetter than a primed pad. :)
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Oh man, it's gettting harder and harder to resist getting a pad washer. But I think I'm leaning toward the System 2000 one. If it had an airtight lid like the other one, it'd be a done deal.
 
SuperBee364 said:
Oh man, it's gettting harder and harder to resist getting a pad washer. But I think I'm leaning toward the System 2000 one. If it had an airtight lid like the other one, it'd be a done deal.
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Supe, with as many wool pads that you go through I can't believe you don't already have one.



I'd go with the System 2000 also, and I'll bet if you take off the cover that a standard 5 gallon bucket lid would fit. Hey, with all the Memorial Day sales going on now is the time to pull the trigger.
 
10-20 times...yikes...



I go through about 3 cutting pads, and 1-2 polishing pads, then one finishing pad on a car, add 1-2 pads for large suv...brushing them out when they get too saturated is how I do it...
 
SuperBee364 said:
Oh man, it's gettting harder and harder to resist getting a pad washer. But I think I'm leaning toward the System 2000 one. If it had an airtight lid like the other one, it'd be a done deal.
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Hit up AG.net for one 119 shipped with your ago coupon code. :) there is a great review on detailersclub by Bret on this system. Surprised you aren't on there.
 
I use to have one years ago and it was nice. If I used wool pads all the time I would definatly get one. It is a must have for wool pads!



Super, this has your name written all over it.:p
 
JonP said:
I agree with what he said, I have several pads in wool and foam. It's bad enough to have backups for just one. I have two rotaries and a Flex, imagine having enough pads to go around for them all. :eek:
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I don't really do a full cleaning of a pad while I'm working, I mean I'll de-gunk it, but usually to finish off what I'm doing before I replace it on the next section/panel etc...

I always carry as many spares as I feel I will need. (I usually know when I visit my cusomer and examine the vehicle. I usually detail the interior first anyways, so if I run into any problems I can always reschedule with the client having a nice clean interior to admire before I come back for the exterior. Yet, this has never happend so far, so I'm not concerned. Yes, I have had to drastically change my pad coices from what I expected, but I'm good about having a good selection with me at all times. It's important when you're mobile like myself.



LC CCS 6.5" pads work for everything excelt spot work, which I have a few various others such as the mini foamed wool 4" and the usual colored foam 4". Of course, I have 6.5" foamed wool as well.



With regards to the LC CCS foam, I use all the colors except red. (I really don't need it because I do most of my LSP application by hand, and the blue is just wonderful for sealant application, won't mar and doesn't absorb much) Although I just bought green because I have found myself using white and grey more often and I'd like something in between. Looks like it would do great.



If you think about it though, it's quite a versatile setup.

I've got a Metabo PE 12-175, Flex 3401 VRG, and my ol' PC 7424.

I use them all quite regularly.



BY THE WAY: Green LC CCS, anybody notice the dimples are much more pronounced in this than the other colors?
 
If the product I am using cleans out of the pad easily, I can usually use 1 pad per step, but with single stage paint or using M105, I usually swap pads halfway through. When doing finishing polishing, it is very rare I have to switch pads.
 
I must be a little over zealous with my pads, I will use 10-15 or even more when multi-stepping a car. I generally find when cutting I'll go through 7-10 easily to do a car. I really, really dislike bogged pads.
 
rydawg said:
I use to have one years ago and it was nice. If I used wool pads all the time I would definatly get one. It is a must have for wool pads!



Super, this has your name written all over it.:p
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The Secretary of the Treasury says that Father's Day is just around the corner. I told her I want a gallon of ONR, the System 2000 Pad Washer, and a Kitchen Pass so I can spend the whole day detailing. I don't think I've ever heard her laugh quite that hard...
 
Picus said:
I must be a little over zealous with my pads, I will use 10-15 or even more when multi-stepping a car. I generally find when cutting I'll go through 7-10 easily to do a car. I really, really dislike bogged pads.
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I am right there with ya:secret
 
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