DA Pad Cleaning ???'s

[coolchid]

Not sure if I'm in the right place, or not, but here goes . . .

I used my Meguiars PC/DA for the first time yesterday & I absolutely LOVE it!!
I have marked my pads with the name of the products used, so that I will not "cross-contaminate" any, but I would still like to remove the excess product from them and clean them up before storing them in bags til next time.

I've read threads that say to wash them with everything from dishwashing soap, to Murphy's Oil Soap to car wash soap, rinse well and allow to air dry, to other threads that say you shouldn't wash them at all, just store them "dirty". And them some say that you can just "knock" the product out of them after they have dried. Right now they are sitting (velcro side down) on their plastic bags in the garage awaiting further cleaning/storage instructions.

All I know is I would like them to be as clean as possible for next time & I would like them to last a long time.
Could you please give me the "Official Meguiar's" word on PC/DA pad cleaning & maintenance.

Thanks very much,

Norah

PS - I've also found that six is just not ENOUGH!!! I bought 4 polishing & 2 finishing and I wish I had bought more!

[gb387]

Try this post it should answer your question:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=159&highlight=dawn+rinse

PS - Read the entire thing.

[coolchid]

Thanks, but I'm still confused . . .

Thanks gb387, read it all the way through, but I'm still not clear.


While I understand Mike's comment about not putting the pads in the washing machine, he seems to say that they can be hand washed, but officially Meguiar's still doesn't recommend it. So what do they recommend? Surely I'm not the ONLY detailer who wants clean pads, but doesn't want to use them once and throw them away? At $10 each, that seems rather wasteful of money that could be spent on more products.

Has there been any further clarification since February?

Since the product is already dry on the pads, I don't want to destroy them by "soaking" to remove the product. Can it be "brushed / tapped" out of them and then "lightly wash the surface to "clean it up"? If so, what should I use for the surface cleaning?

Thanks for your help and patience!

Norah

[gb387]

Only way that I know works is washing then in the sink by hand with some dish soap. I have had very good luck with that method you just need to be careful. The pads come out looking new.

Since the product is already dry on the pads, I don't want to destroy them by "soaking" to remove the product. Can it be "brushed / tapped" out of them and then "lightly wash the surface to "clean it up"? If so, what should I use for the surface cleaning?

Not to sure what you would use to clean the surface... I would think you would need something that would break down the wax.

[coolchid]

Thanks, GB - I'll give it a try tonight on 1 pad and see how it goes.

PS - Your truck looks great, can't beat black for reflections, but not the best colour here in AZ.

[coolchid]

Update

I heard from Mike Phillips on Autopia: Ask the Manufacturer forum (why there & not here?) and he was most definitely against washing the pads.

So I'll just try to brush the pads to remove excess product & live with the staining.

Norah

PS- I think I'll be looking at pads which don't use the velcro system in the future, so they can be washed.

[Marc08EX]

Norah,

Are your polishing pads (W8006) color brown after using #83, #82 and #81? My 3 polishing pads all came out brown after using them just twice...

[coolchid]

No, but I wasn't using Meg's products. They did take on the colour of products, though, so they are kinda a bluey-grey on the face.

Does the "brown" brush out?

Norah

[Marc08EX]

I still haven't tried to brush the brown residue out.. I will try though..