Is my W8006 pad dead?

[Marc08EX]

Hey guys,

I have a question and I need your opinion. I have a pad that I've used roughly 4 or 5 times. I've used this pad with M80. The main problem is that after using it after approximately 4 panels, the pad just starts to gum up pretty bad. I'm not talking about dried product or dust in the pad but more of like little or small moist, solid product that turned into play-doh and the buffer is flying it around. I don't know what happened. This pad also looks a lot different than my other W8006 pad which I have used twice.

Here are some pictures:


Relatively New Pad


Pad with the problem

What do you guys think? I don't think that the pad should die that quick especially with the relatively new pad looking very new!

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

Look into a pad cleaner/conditioner. Auto Detailing Solutions carries two; the Universal Pad Washer and the System 2000 Pad Washer. If you are using the PC, I would go the UPW route while the System 2000 will probably work a bit better with a rotary and wool pads from what I hear, though both will get the job done.

Another thing; you should always have a spur for your wool pads and a pad brush for foam. ADS sells some pad conditioner/cleaner solution that you put into a bucket, get the pad a little wet, and then spin the pad while running the brush/spur down it. This will clean the pad and keep it working a nice long time.

While polishing, it is also good to keep a terry cotton/microfiber cloth on hand to clean it 'on the fly'. Mainly for the DA polisher, simply press the pad up against the towel while on a flat surface and turn the machine on a low setting. Do this after every panel (or half when working with large ones like the hood or roof) and this will prevent product gum-up.

[Ivan Rajic]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

That looks like you used it for a detail, then let it sit without washing for days, then again a few times... you should wash your pads after EVERY detail... all it takes is a few spray from some light cleaner (such as APC+ diluted 10-15:1) and then rub it out under warm water... I have 8006 pads that I've used on over 20 details for probably 30+ hours at least and they look pretty much like new

Take that "ruined" pad, spray any cleaner on there (VERY light cleaner... you can even dilute simple green to like 30:1 or even 40:1 and just a few sprays on there should fix it)

[Marc08EX]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

Well the reason why I don't clean the pads is because Meguiar's doesn't recommend it. I clean it on the fly all the time. After 3-4 passes, I wipe off the excess residue from the pad and then I move on.

The newer pad has been used twice and I haven't washed it at all. Just cleaned it on the fly and cleaned it afterwards.

[gioprivatemove]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

Have you ever left the pad unwashed? I think that's the problem. My answer is the same with all the friends answer above me.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

Besides cleaning your pad after you use it. How often are you cleaning your pad on the fly? If you clean on the fly, usually after each panel and clean your pad after each useit will probably work better and longer for you.

[Marc08EX]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

What does Meguiar's have to say about this? Everybody says to clean it with APC+, simple green or something. If that's the best thing to do, why don't they recommend it? Do they want our pads to degrade faster so we spend more money???

So what's the procedure to clean the pads afterwards? Thanks.

BTW, the pads have been wiped off after use. I would have expected them to look similar because the only difference is 2-3 uses.

[gioprivatemove]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

Usually after use i wipe with microfiber first to lift any residue. than, i washed with dishwasher detergent, just gently rub the foam. after that i put the pad on the newspaper in a room, so its relatively free from dust.

[Ivan Rajic]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

So what's the procedure to clean the pads afterwards? Thanks.

all it takes is a few spray from some light cleaner (such as APC+ diluted 10-15:1) and then rub it out under warm water...

Take pad, put it in a sink, spray it 3-5 times with APC+ diluted 10:1 with water, let it sit for 20 seconds, turn on hot/warm water with some pressure, put pad under stream of water, let water run all over pad to get loose stuff off the top of pad, then massage/rub/clean the pad with your hands under the stream of water... comes out good as new

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

What does Meguiar's have to say about this?

The reason we caution people from washing is due to the following....

Once we say ok, then you have a few select people that use harsh chemicals and/or super high pressure to clean the pads and those methods over time will destroy any pad and create an unhappy customer.

We certainly know that if a foam pad is cleaned with a safe solution and done in a caring kind of way, there shouldn't be any issues.

Some of the above mentioned methods are working for people, so just please be careful and don't use harsh chemicals and/or high pressure....



Mike

[Marc08EX]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

Thanks for your input Mike.

[Ivan Rajic]

Re: Is my W8006 pad dead?

The reason we caution people from washing is due to the following....

Once we say ok, then you have a few select people that use harsh chemicals and/or super high pressure to clean the pads and those methods over time will destroy any pad and create an unhappy customer.

We certainly know that if a foam pad is cleaned with a safe solution and done in a caring kind of way, there shouldn't be any issues.

Some of the above mentioned methods are working for people, so just please be careful and don't use harsh chemicals and/or high pressure....



Mike

Glad you came in and said that Mike, as I didn't want to assume the reasons behind Meguiar's instructions for the pads... as Mike said, many people will ruin the pads, and even quicker the backing, due to simply being careless and using harsh chemicals... it's just like many people will take a rotary with 85 and wool pad and burn up the whole car, not knowing what they're doing and not thinking logically about it...

that's why I said dilute APC+ to about 10-15:1 with water (that's 10-15 parts water to 1 part APC+) or something like simple green would probably work but should be diluted to much much smaller ratio, something like 30-50:1... I never tried simple green and wouldn't recommend it, and APC+ 10:1 has kept my 8006 pads (i use those more than any others) pretty much new for over a year now, some even longer.