cleaning pads with compressed air

[tbaz]

got my new set up M/F correction system with pads, just searching for the correct procedure for keeping the pads clean with compressed air( heard it was the best way)

[CHzo6]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

You pretty much blow the air across them while the polisher is turned on. Pretty simple. You can also use a somewhat-stiff bristled plastic brush to fluff up the fibers before and after the air cleaning.

[Paul S]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

The method I have been using is to hold the machine in one hand with the pad facing up and with the air gun held up close to the outer edge of the pad and using air pressure to spin the pad working your way to the center.It does not take much pressure to clean away product. Be careful of excessive speed while blowing at the outer edge. The pads don't like extremely high rpm and are prone to come apart from the foam backing.(Don't ask me how I know).I have only done this cleaning with the machine off.

[DogParkGuy]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

You will find the pads are easier to clean if you only use the minimum amount of D300.

[cnfowler]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

Don't clean the pad with the machine ON. Do what Paul does. That's the way it should be done.


Colin

[CHzo6]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

There is no problem cleaning the pads when the machine is turned on.

[cnfowler]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

There is no problem cleaning the pads when the machine is turned on.

We'll see how long your pads last free running them. Meguiar's has long stated not to run the machine without any pressure on the pads. The backing of the pad isn't designed for that type of abuse. There is no need to run the machine. The compressed air will spin the pad fast enough to clean it. The forceful occilation with the machine on is what causes the backing failure.


Colin

[Kevin Brown]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

There is no problem cleaning the pads when the machine is turned on.

This is how I do it, too, machine off.

I start at the edge, get the speed built up and move the air nozzle towards the middle. Once the pad gets zippin' along (about 400 MPH, best guess ), and then reverse-blast it.

Just kidding on the MPH part, but depending upon how packed things get determines how long I blast the disc. I do that until the pad is soft and fluffy.

I also use compressed air to minimize the amount of polish on the disc for final polishing. This however, only takes a few seconds, and it's really not a furious event.

[Kevin Brown]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

We'll see how long your pads last free running them. Meguiar's has long stated not to run the machine without any pressure on the pads. The backing of the pad isn't designed for that type of abuse. There is no need to run the machine. The compressed air will spin the pad fast enough to clean it. The forceful occilation with the machine on is what causes the backing failure. Colin

Yes, don't RUN the machine because the offset motion will try and shake the disc from the backing plate!

Only clean in this manner with the machine OFF.

[CHzo6]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

We'll see how long your pads last free running them. Meguiar's has long stated not to run the machine without any pressure on the pads. The backing of the pad isn't designed for that type of abuse. There is no need to run the machine. The compressed air will spin the pad fast enough to clean it. The forceful occilation with the machine on is what causes the backing failure.


Colin

3 months and still going so far. I don't run the DA at 6 while doing it. When I clean them this way, I have it turned down to 2, and I have never had a problem. I then go over the pad with a plastic brush, again with the machine running at 2 speed.

[cnfowler]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

3 months and still going so far. I don't run the DA at 6 while doing it. When I clean them this way, I have it turned down to 2, and I have never had a problem. I then go over the pad with a plastic brush, again with the machine running at 2 speed.

Running the machine while using the brush - yes. That would be the recommended procedure.


Let me ask you this - what is your purpose for running the machine while using compressed air? It doesn't do anything except put more wear and tear on the pads.


Colin

[Nick Chapman]

Re: cleaning pads with compressed air

You're all doing it wrong. I just stop cleaning the pads all together, and that way I have ZERO product waste!