W7207 7" Pad shedding

[karburn]

I started using a brand-new W7207 cutting pad last night with some #105. The weird thing is that the pad started shedding! About 1/3 of the way through the first session on the hood, I noticed a fine dust of what turned out to be particles of burgandy-colored foam from the pad. Hmm. It got worse with each pass and I finally had to start using my California Duster to remove the pad crumbles before starting a new section with the polisher. I did notice that the dust was mostly adjacent to whatever area that I was working - like it was being thrown off from the back side of the pad. The ploishing surface of the pad still looks fine. It appears that the particles may be coming from the back side; from the recessed area around the white velcro attachment pad. Could the issue be that I was using my new Griot's polisher with a 6" backing plate, and the pad was for a 7" backing plate? I never got above speed 5 and I was polishing a flat hood - so I did not tilt the polisher one way or another.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!!

[Tim Lingor]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

Morning,

It is normal for new pads to have foam particles release as these are left over from the manufacturing process. Once you have used it once and clean it in the fly, it will be fine!

However, your plate could be digging into the foam as it may be too large. If your plate exceeds the diameter of the Velcro on the pad, you will need to get a smaller plate.

Tim

[karburn]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

I neglected to mention that during my initial use last night, I had set the polisher down for a moment and it tipped over - the pad contacted the floor and therefore had to be washed. After washing and drying thoroughly, I started in again. THIS is when the dusting started. I washed it again after I was done with last nights work, so I'll see what it does tonight when I start in again.

I had just not experienced this with any other kind of pad, but then again maybe it was the dark burgandy color that caught my eye this time. We'll see. Thanks for the feedback.

[karburn]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

PS: I will check the diameter of both pad and plate tonight.

[benedict]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

i experienced this as well. I am using the backing plate that came with the DA and a 7inch foam pad.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

I neglected to mention that during my initial use last night, I had set the polisher down for a moment and it tipped over - the pad contacted the floor and therefore had to be washed. After washing and drying thoroughly, I started in again. THIS is when the dusting started. I washed it again after I was done with last nights work, so I'll see what it does tonight when I start in again.

I had just not experienced this with any other kind of pad, but then again maybe it was the dark burgandy color that caught my eye this time. We'll see. Thanks for the feedback.

Washing may not be enough to loosen all of the particles that again were left over from the manufacturing process. Usually when one starts buffing these particles will come off and usually after a few panels they stop. Every new pad I have had over the years does this to a certain degree...

Now about that plate size...

Tim

[benedict]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

what about the plate size?

[Tim Lingor]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

what about the plate size?

In the original poster's post, he mentioned that he was using a non-Meguiar's plate and while with the Soft Buff 2.0 pads it should be OK as long as it does not exceed the diameter of the Velcro on the pad as I mentioned in the other posts above....the particles are from the manufacturing process.

Does that help?

Tim

[Tim Lingor]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

PS: I will check the diameter of both pad and plate tonight.

Just keep in mind that just because it is a 7" pad that the backing plate may not be that large. For example a backing plate that is used for the 8" pads on a rotary is also around 6" in diameter so there is no universal standard.

The Meguiar's plate that is designed for the the new Soft Buff 2.0 pads is actually 6" in diameter but the velcro itself on the plate is just under 5", as there is a .5" rubber lip on the outside edge. Therefore if your plate's velcro exceeds that, and is sitting on the foam, though I can not see that happening, it could be wearing at the foam. Again, I have used many many pads over the years and the particles are quite normal on new pads as I said above.

Here are my reviews for the Soft Buff 2.0 Pads and the proper matching Meguiar's backing plates...

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36919

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

Tim

[Poki]

Re: W7207 7" Pad shedding

How old are your pads? I had that happen with some of the original maroon foam pads. The adhesive holding the velcro deteriorated and flecks of maroon foam flew out. Could be you have one of the old pads?