proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Here in the Meguiar's Garage we wash our pads (Soft Buff 2.0 and the small Soft Foam Applicators) separate from our microfiber towels, but they are simply tossed into the washing machine on the heavy duty setting, warm water, with a liquid laundry detergent. We even have a pretty high tech, High Efficiency machine that uses less water than a typical top load washer and the pads come out great. They are then dried in a conventional dryer, again on the heavy duty cycle.

We go through an awful lot of pads around here, with a wide variety of products, so our pads get washed quite frequently.

[JuddGA]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Here in the Meguiar's Garage we wash our pads (Soft Buff 2.0 and the small Soft Foam Applicators) separate from our microfiber towels, but they are simply tossed into the washing machine on the heavy duty setting, warm water, with a liquid laundry detergent. We even have a pretty high tech, High Efficiency machine that uses less water than a typical top load washer and the pads come out great. They are then dried in a conventional dryer, again on the heavy duty cycle.

We go through an awful lot of pads around here, with a wide variety of products, so our pads get washed quite frequently.

Thank goodness cause thats about what I did

I washed mine with my MF towels and used cold water. Now I have more dirty pads and will simply switch to warm, and wash the pads seperately from the MF. I also used a dryer.

After cleaning a large truck for 2 days, I dont want to spend more time cleaning pads

[Tim Lingor]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Thank goodness cause thats about what I did

I washed mine with my MF towels and used cold water. Now I have more dirty pads and will simply switch to warm, and wash the pads seperately from the MF. I also used a dryer.

After cleaning a large truck for 2 days, I dont want to spend more time cleaning pads

No worries. Here, check out page 2 of my review of the pads....

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25376&page=2

Tim

[cardriver]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

I really must try that dish-drying-rack pad scrubber setup. The results look amazing .

I'm also pleased to know that the SB2 DA pads can be run through the dryer as well (I've been washer machining & air drying mine). I assumed that it was unwise to run them through the dryer because the last couple times I let my small yellow Soft Foam hand applicator pads run through the dryer...well, their next stop was the garbage can .

[Michael Stoops]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

the last couple times I let my small yellow Soft Foam hand applicator pads run through the dryer...well, their next stop was the garbage can .

Really? What happened to them? Here at work we've got pads that have been machine washed and dried numerous times and they're fine. At home I do the same thing and have never once had a problem. How hot are you drying them, and for how long?

[the_invisible]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Invisible,

You have me a little confused here .

If you do not have a rotary what are you using with M95. a D.A? Have you used the wool pad or have you not?

Seems like some of your posts are not very clear and inaccurate.

Best thing for you to do is listen to Tim, He definitly knows what he is talking about, he has been doing this for over two decades now.

and you have me even more confused...

Yeah, I tried it on my cutting foam pads, but not yet on the wool pad as I am waiting for the rotary to arrive.

Please read my post again. I eloquently stated that I have used M95 with my foam pads, but not with my wool pads. I simply mentioned the words "wool pad" in my previous post just to emphasize my experience with cleaning foam pads that are contaminated by M95.


Like others, I have used M95 on a DA with great success. Though, I bought it mainly for use with the rotary and wool.

[JuddGA]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Like others, I have used M95 on a DA with great success. Though, I bought it mainly for use with the rotary and wool.

which he has yet to use because he just ordered the rotary !!!


Am I right??

[Michael Stoops]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Yeah, I tried it on my cutting foam pads, but not yet on the wool pad as I am waiting for the rotary to arrive. When used with foam pads, the M95 residue doesn't feel oily at all compared to Utlimate Compound.

I haven't touched the wool pad at all. I just picked up a few on my last order to save on shipping.

the_invisible's comments above are pretty clear, and he has not contradicted himself, so where's the confusion? Yes, he's used M95 on a D/A and no, we don't recommend that, but when M105 first came out the detailing enthusiast community went crazy for it on a D/A - even though Meguiar's did not recommend that either.

Even though his pad cleaning methods may not follow exactly what Meguiar's recommends, they apparently work just fine for him so unless he starts running into problems (and there is NO indication that he should) who's to say he's really wrong? Don't we regularly see people "stepping outside the box" with all sorts of products and processes on a regular basis?

This thread asked about the "proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators" and that has been answered, plus a few alternative suggestions given. It's almost starting to look like the_invisible is being ganged up on a bit, and there's no need for that.

[cardriver]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Really? What happened to them? Here at work we've got pads that have been machine washed and dried numerous times and they're fine. At home I do the same thing and have never once had a problem. How hot are you drying them, and for how long?

When I ran my Soft Foam applicator pads through a dryer cycle with the rest of my standard MFs (a shorter, maybe 20-minute cycle on low heat, I reckon; also no fab softener sheet), the app pads came out very rough and like...permanently-dry and rough like the bottom of my feet. They definitely didn't seem suitable for paintwork any more ! It's ok though; I simply machine wash and let them air dry now, which works out fine and they remain soft and supple this way.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

When I ran my Soft Foam applicator pads through a dryer cycle with the rest of my standard MFs (a shorter, maybe 20-minute cycle on low heat, I reckon; also no fab softener sheet), the app pads came out very rough and like...permanently-dry and rough like the bottom of my feet. They definitely didn't seem suitable for paintwork any more ! It's ok though; I simply machine wash and let them air dry now, which works out fine and they remain soft and supple this way.

That is very weird! I have washed the foam applicators (probably 50-60 at least) in the washing machine for years and multiple times and have never had a problem like you describe. What was in the machine before you washed the applicators?? What type of detergent did you use?

Tim

[Michael Stoops]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

That's just very, very strange and something we don't see with those pads. It's very common for them to be washed with microfiber towels and dried on fairly high heat and they come out feeling perfectly fine.

Of course, once they start getting a bit soiled we throw them in a box marked "Tire Apps" so that they aren't used for applying paint cleaners and waxes, but that's only because they're so badly stained that emotionally a person just can't bring themselves to use it on paint anymore. Same thing so many of us do when our microfibers get stained and are therefore relegated to engine bay and wheel use. But the darn things still feel fine.

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

ok so i can wash them like normal in the washing machine, using our tide detergent on which cycle?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Zach, if you stick with warm water on a regular to even heavy duty cycle (which we use here at work) you'll be fine. Throw them in the dryer on a regular to heavy duty cycle as well. Just avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

ok and how long do i put em in the dryer for with what heat?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

Regular to Heavy Duty cycle generally is medium to high heat for 30 minutes or longer. We've seen them go for an hour on moderate heat without issue.