proper way to wash 2.0 foam pads, foam applicators.

[james0509]

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

Alright guys! I've tried the pad cleaner/ microfiber wash with a couple of dirty MF towels and a few used pads,

the results are pretty nice! All I did was dunk it into the solution and squeeze the pads / rub the towels only a few times and I no longer feel the residue of waxes! (usually I still smell / feel the waxes after a wash in the laundry, maybe it's just me?)

I washed them by hand so they are still being air dried right now.

I gotta say the pad cleaning solution ( basically a powdered form mixed into water) cuts a lot of time if you plan on washing your pads/ MF towels by hand .

Just hate the wait for air drying though.

the product I used today is the Cobra Quik Clenz Foam & Wool Pad Cleaner. I'll tell you guys how the pads + MF towels feel after they're completely dried

[Brad777]

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

I generally apply three to four applications of Dawn dishwashing liquid and warm water, scrub with my knuckles then wring gently by hand. I keep cleaning until the water doesn't discolor any longer.

[Michael Stoops]

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

How often do you guys use the products specially made for cleaning pads / MF towels ?? do you guys even use those products?!

It'll be a bummer if I found out I don't need them, just ordered 70 dollars worth of pad cleaner+conditioners

Just as Tim has never used them, neither have we here at Meguiar's. Oh, and if you think we go through a lot of pads, you should see the number of microfiber towels we go through!!

As for the products you ordered, many people have given such products very favorable reviews so you didn't really waste any money. Do your own test though - keep a group of towels that you only clean with those specialty products and another set you wash as we've instructed. If after several washes you find the specialty products to produce superior results, then stick with it. If not, then know you have the thanks of many forum members for conducting the test! It's what's usually called "taking one for the team".

[tcope1]

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

For buffing pads and applicators, I spray them down with Super Degreaser mixed 4:1. Take the hose and just spray them off. Cleans them quick and good. Spin them dry on the rotary while hitting them with some air from the compressor. Works great for me.

What you need to consider is that some of the degreaser could be left in/on the pads. If so, it's going to be mixed into whatever you are applying to the paint and stands a good chance of breaking it down.

[Jokeman]

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

For buffing pads and applicators, I spray them down with Super Degreaser mixed 4:1. Take the hose and just spray them off. Cleans them quick and good. Spin them dry on the rotary while hitting them with some air from the compressor. Works great for me.

[Tim Lingor]

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

How often do you guys use the products specially made for cleaning pads / MF towels ?? do you guys even use those products?!

It'll be a bummer if I found out I don't need them, just ordered 70 dollars worth of pad cleaner+conditioners

Ah...sorry, but I have always used just Liquid Tide and Dawn Soap. They work great and I have never felt the need to use something else.

Now that does not mean that the specialized products you just bought may not do a better job as it just may!! The first time you wash the pads, do one batch with Tide and the other with the specialized cleaners; then you can decide if it is worth it or not...



Tim

[james0509]

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.

How often do you guys use the products specially made for cleaning pads / MF towels ?? do you guys even use those products?!

It'll be a bummer if I found out I don't need them, just ordered 70 dollars worth of pad cleaner+conditioners

[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.

[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.

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 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.

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.

[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

[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.

[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.