Strange Buildup on Pads

[bryandlewis]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

Looks like the photos won't show up. Here are the links to them:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kIZksEEVWzDcXkqHG7Oi0vqhrH0rNnuLPw

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vOPibtIyKWAdV3QPnQWATGtEz4XlvLHKlQ

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i3iaBwjSKN0VjeaTPZMTjlHNyBCdVzJDkQ

[bryandlewis]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

You're right, clay takes stuff off. And if any is left behind due to insufficient lube you'll see it as smears and streaks.

I ask because any gunk that fell on the finish at the dealership (and before since it's pre-owned) will still be there until you clay it.

Compounds are designed to work paint, not random gooey fallout and crud. That's why it's always a good idea to clay before compounding and polishing.

Good point. The stuff isn't "gooey", but I wasn't thinking it was fallout because the car was "detailed" by the dealer. Here are some pictures. Just worked a couple sections and I got similar results, but not as pronounced on the pad. But I did get these little "balls" that built up on the pad. The one picture is one "ball" on the pad, the same crumbling ball in my fingers so you understand the size. Then I worked one section of the hood again and when I lifted the DA these four little balls (picture 3) were left on the hood where I stopped the DA.

[the other pc]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

... I can't imagine that clay stays on the car when you clay it because it's job is to take contaminates off, but that is just my guess.

You're right, clay takes stuff off. And if any is left behind due to insufficient lube you'll see it as smears and streaks.

I ask because any gunk that fell on the finish at the dealership (and before since it's pre-owned) will still be there until you clay it.

Compounds are designed to work paint, not random gooey fallout and crud. That's why it's always a good idea to clay before compounding and polishing.

[bryandlewis]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

Did you clay the car?

I did not myself. However, I don't know what the dealer did before I got it. I can't imagine that clay stays on the car when you clay it because it's job is to take contaminates off, but that is just my guess.

[the other pc]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

Did you clay the car?

[bryandlewis]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

How much polishing did you do with the pad? Upload some pictures for us to see.

It was several pads and each was clean before I started. The same thing happened on each pad after working two or three 2x2 sections. I wish I had thought to take pictures. Maybe I'll try to replicate it when I get a chance, since I didn't finish the car.

[Cypresswill]

How much polishing did you do with the pad? Upload some pictures for us to see.

[bryandlewis]

Re: Strange Buildup on Pads

When I get what you have described is when the pad has too much product, pad not being cleaned properly or has been over worked.

Thanks for your reply. I first thought the same thing. However, I knew I hadn't used very much product. Also, the buildup would not wash off with water like the Ultimate Compound normally would. That's why I'm convinced it is something on the car.

Bryan

[Cypresswill]

When I get what you have described is when the pad has too much product, pad not being cleaned properly or has been over worked.

[bryandlewis]

I just picked up a nice certified pre-owned car this weekend. It had some swirl marks and minor scratches that I started to work on yesterday with my DA and Ultimate Compound. When I worked on the first section of the roof, I noticed the pad getting discolored. I worked the next section and when I stopped and lifted there were some gray balls of material that looked something like clay. I put on a new pad and continued to work but the same buildup was happening on my pad. When I went to wash the pads the buildup on the pad would not wash out with just water like Ultimate Compound normally does. No amount of water would make it come out. Then I put a some Dawn dish soap on the pad I could fairly easily get it clean. I've never seen anything like this. Could it be wax build up that the DA is working off? Should I wash the car completely with something like Dawn to strip the old wax (or whatever it is) off before polishing?

Thanks in advance!

Bryan