Solo foam pads...

[Kevin Brown]

Re: Solo foam pads...

I've been using the Solo pad system for a long time and use them regularly.

I've never encountered a shredding problem like the one in the pics.
I've used the Diamond-Foam duo with M86, M105, and other products (including metal-polishing with M105 & also metal polish).

Knowing your reputation here at MOL as being an honest and professional detail-guy, I doubt that improper use of the pad is the culprit. I can't see how the pad would tear unless it was being run across a very sharp edge or a very pebbly surface (like anti-slip tape!).

Perhaps the 'cleaning procedure' is the likely culprit.
The diamonds in the center of the pictured pad are torn.
Since that area of the pad spins substantially slower than the outer edge, I just can't see this type of damage being done while polishing paint.

I suppose it could be the brush being used (which I understand is designed to clean foam pads). The typical stiff, short bristled brush would cause a shredding of the diamond's edges- Without doubt.

With this pad, we may have to switch to using a softer, thinner diameter bristled brush.

The absolute best way to clean this pad?
Pull it off the rotary, attach it to a random-orbital, and run the pad against a microfiber towel for 10-15 seconds. Then, if available, use compressed air to eliminate the remaining residue.

I hope I'm not out of line here, Nick... Just trying to help!

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Solo foam pads...

I've been using the Solo pad system for a long time and use them regularly.

I've never encountered a shredding problem like the one in the pics.
I've used the Diamond-Foam duo with M86, M105, and other products (including metal-polishing with M105 & also metal polish).

Knowing your reputation here at MOL as being an honest and professional detail-guy, I doubt that improper use of the pad is the culprit. I can't see how the pad would tear unless it was being run across a very sharp edge or a very pebbly surface (like anti-slip tape!).

Perhaps the 'cleaning procedure' is the likely culprit.
The diamonds in the center of the pictured pad are torn.
Since that area of the pad spins substantially slower than the outer edge, I just can't see this type of damage being done while polishing paint.

I suppose it could be the brush being used (which I understand is designed to clean foam pads). The typical stiff, short bristled brush would cause a shredding of the diamond's edges- Without doubt.

With this pad, we may have to switch to using a softer, thinner diameter bristled brush.

The absolute best way to clean this pad?
Pull it off the rotary, attach it to a random-orbital, and run the pad against a microfiber towel for 10-15 seconds. Then, if available, use compressed air to eliminate the remaining residue.

I hope I'm not out of line here, Nick... Just trying to help!

No, not out of line at all!
No doubt, it does look like a cleaning issue. But without a nylon brush, or air available(at the customers house), then the DA and towel method may work the best to provide long term use out of them.

Anyone know where to get a soft bristled brush to clean these things?

[BlueZero]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Here's a link to the orange one at ADS. Is that the same one you have? Would the spur on the bottom of the page work and be more gentle?

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Solo foam pads...

I've used a soft bristle tooth brush to clean some of my older pads.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Here's a link to the orange one at ADS. Is that the same one you have? Would the spur on the bottom of the page work and be more gentle?

Not the same one that I have. Mine is yellow. Probably an older model, I've had it for a couple of years.
Not sure if the other one would be better or not. But I'm going to assume no, because it's metal.

Nick

[Kevin Brown]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Anyone know where to get a soft bristled brush to clean these things?

The best thing I've found (to date) is an inexpensive fingernail-cleaning brush.
I have three different styles and all of them have dissimilar bristles.
You'll want to look for one with pretty thin bristles that aren't too long (so they don't bend as they're being used).

I have to admit that a toothbrush works well because the bristles tend to be very thin; If heavy pressure or too much speed is applied the bristles bend, diminishing the brush's cleaning ability (but at least the bristles won't rip into the pad). Toothbrushes clean well when the rotary is set to a slow speed-setting.

All we're trying to do is remove loose particulate-
The microfiber efficiently removes the oily, gritty crud that the brush cannot.

The microfiber towel trick is pretty hard to beat.
It really super-cleans the pad. This method, when used on an orbital is pretty quick to do. On a rotary, it will take a bit more time than you'd like.

Not to overthink it, but for time-efficiency, maybe you could install a microfiber bonnet on the random-orbital. When you need to clean the pad, just flip the rotary over on a flat surface, push the bonnet onto the diamond pad, crank on the orbital and push it firmly into the diamind pad until it's clean...? I know that the Solo pads don't use a centering hole, so cenering over and over could test your patience during a complete rotary session.