How many foam pads do I need??

[kellyinkc]

Ok wife is asking me about a PC.(Hint, Hint) I told her Lowes has a 7336.
Need backing plate and how many pads? Now do I need them to remove wax or only to apply? Picked up the PC and it was lighter than the 7" orbital I now have!! Plus it will do a better job.

Thank you.

Kelly

[the other pc]

If the budget allows I always recommend at least one pad for each product you expect to be using, plus a couple spares, plus one W7006 burgundy pad to use with bonnets.

If the budget is tighter one pad for each product you expect to use heavily is sufficient.

The best value for getting started is the WDAV99 DA Velcro Buffing System. That gives you the backing plate and three pads.


PC.

[kellyinkc]

Thanks. Wasn't sure how many I needed. I like to appy with machine then wipe off by hand. Thinking this might be Christmas gift . Better get her something nice

Kelly

[OctaneGuy]

Ideally you will have a lot of pads on hand. While you should have just one per product, after many uses the pads will load up with chemical and you will have to clean them.

The typical way of cleaning them is with a nylon brush with the pad mounted on a rotary. But owning a rotary for pad cleaning is expensive! You can buy cheap rotary's from Harbor Freight for between $30 to $60.

The other alternative which I recently tried is buying a jug of carpet cleaner. I used what I had on hand--I think it was Dirt Devil brand. Its used for my steam cleaner/carpet shampooer. I just squirted some in a bucket which was in clear water. Inserted my pads--wrung them out, and quickly the water turned murky grey, meaning the chemicals were coming out of the pads.

I have to wring them and dip them several times, before washing with clean water, and the pads come out good as new. Well mine do smell like carpet cleaner now, but it's a pleasant smell. I bought my shampoo from Target, and I will be buying more jugs just for this purpose.

[repo]

also try some dishwashing soap, it takes NXT out with ease, but its a double edged sword, you have to make sure you get it all out otherwise it would be a mess later.

[kellyinkc]

thanks for the tips!! Gotta go long long night and day need sleep.

Kelly

[carbnjunkie]

?

How about just keeping them in zip lock bags, so they dont dry up?

[OctaneGuy]

Re: ?

The issue isn't just about drying up, but rather they get soaked with product or dirt. I use foam pads for everything from applying Tire/Trim Gel to my plastic pieces to applying wax---not the same pad mind you.

But the one fo the plastic trim turns black, and needs to be washed out! So washing them of contaminants as well as product is important!

Originally posted by carbnjunkie
How about just keeping them in zip lock bags, so they dont dry up?

[the other pc]

You do want them to dry too. I've had pads turn into some interesting, uh, biology experiments, from not making sure the bag was open enough to the air.


PC.

[OctaneGuy]

That's a good point--I do have some moldy pads if anyone wants to see. LOL

Originally posted by the other pc
You do want them to dry too. I've had pads turn into some interesting, uh, biology experiments, from not making sure the bag was open enough to the air.


PC.

[gb387]

Re: ?

Originally posted by carbnjunkie
How about just keeping them in zip lock bags, so they dont dry up?

After I have used my PC/pads, I always set them in the house somewhere out of the way and let air dry for a couple days. Like the other pc said they can turn into a biology experiments. I then place them in their original bags making sure the end is open and unobstructed when stored. I always keep a new in package spare of each pad just incase somethig goes wrong!

I use mine several times before I wash with a Dawn/water solution.

[Bwiser]

Pads washed with car wash?

I was wondering has anyone tried washing their pads with a fresh supply of car wash solution? (ex. Meguiar's shampoo and conditioner) or this a bad idea, since it's wax/polish safe?

Thanks!

[gb387]

Re: Pads washed with car wash?

Originally posted by Bwiser
I was wondering has anyone tried washing their pads with a fresh supply of car wash solution? (ex. Meguiar's shampoo and conditioner) or this a bad idea, since it's wax/polish safe?

Thanks!

IMO... I don't think its a "bad" idea, I just don't think it will fight the wax like a dish soap or similar. As you said its "wax" safe.