ReUse of Pads after cleaning

[Monk]

1. I know you are supposed to keep pads for one product, but after they are cleaned, does it really matter?

2. Also, does this rule apply for waxes, or just the abrasive products?

3. I just cleaned mine, and it seemed a lot simpler than some of the threads would suggest. I just soaked them in a bucket for a few minutes with some Dawn, then held a hose nozzle up against them as tightly as I could (I got a little wet), then pressed them bulk of the water out and set them in the sun. Is there a part of this simple procedure that could cause damege?

[gb387]

That is basically what I do with my pads, and IMO its all you need to do to use two different products on one pad... I do know #21 is a bear to remove from a pad so I am going to be keeping one for #21 only. Other than that I don't keep specific pads for each product.... if I did I would have 20 different pads on hand and that is more than I am willing to spend. I do keep the pads in the same family - this pad for waxes, this pad for pure polishes, this pad for cleaners, this pad for cleaner polishes.

So far I have not damaged any from cleaning them. Meguiars does not recommend washing them so should one get damaged I am not going to worry about it.

[Pete-FWA]

The part to worry about is the backing material since the laminate can separate from the foam. Avoid scrubbing or soaking your soap in that area and you'll see longer pad life.

[Monk]

Originally posted by gb387
That is basically what I do with my pads, and IMO its all you need to do to use two different products on one pad... I do know #21 is a bear to remove from a pad so I am going to be keeping one for #21 only. Other than that I don't keep specific pads for each product.... if I did I would have 20 different pads on hand and that is more than I am willing to spend. I do keep the pads in the same family - this pad for waxes, this pad for pure polishes, this pad for cleaners, this pad for cleaner polishes.

So far I have not damaged any from cleaning them. Meguiars does not recommend washing them so should one get damaged I am not going to worry about it.

Good point. The pads used for waxing don't seem to come out as clean, obviously (??) they are not water based, but the 83 and 80 pads seem to come out like new.