Solo foam pads...

[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.

[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

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Solo foam pads...

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

[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?

[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?

[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!

[Jason Rose]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Jason,

I use the foam pads on the rotary at speeds around 1200 using M86 only.

Can you let us know what's the best way to clean the solo foam pads?

BTW, I do apreciate all the testing work you do. I know there have been some long days and nights during product development and it shows with the many awesome products you guys produce. M86 & M105 are great additions to our toolkit.

I know my own method of maintaining these pads...and happy to share with you. But I'm making some calls to our test sites (all over the world, so I am dealing with different time zones and such.) Sorry for the delay in my response, but I want to give you more than my opinion & my experience. I want to tell you what is actually working for a larger group of shops. Give me a little bit...I'll get back to you...

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Thanks for providing the pictures, that's helpful. It's a soft foam, but you should be getting more than 1 or 2 cars out of them for sure. Our test shops and our experience tells us that they are much more durable than what you are stating (I believe you! I'm just saying we are getting different results.)

I'd like a picture of the exact brush you are using to clean the pads with.

And are you using the W66 Solo backing plate?

Yes, I am using the Solo backing plate. I actually use that backing plate for everything aside from the double sided wool pads. LOVE THEM!!!

The brush is the yellow handled nylon brush that Rick was selling over at ADS. I can't seem to find a picture of it on his site, and I don't have a picture of it myself.
I'll try and get a picture of the brush later this afternoon/evening, and post it up.

Thanks Jason!

Nick

[Jason Rose]

Re: Solo foam pads...

[QUOTE=n737nc;216019]Alrighty....lets try this again

Other than using a nylon brush, this pad has never been cleaned. Really not sure why these pads do this to me.


Thanks for providing the pictures, that's helpful. It's a soft foam, but you should be getting more than 1 or 2 cars out of them for sure. Our test shops and our experience tells us that they are much more durable than what you are stating (I believe you! I'm just saying we are getting different results.)

I'd like a picture of the exact brush you are using to clean the pads with.

And are you using the W66 Solo backing plate?

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Do you think this wear is caused by the nylon brush being held against the face of the foam pad when you're cleaning it and in essence ripping the leading edges off as you bring the RPM's up?

That's what it looks like.

Could be. But how else are we supposed to clean it? I use hardly any pressure at all when applying the nylon brush to the pad.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: Solo foam pads...

If that was the cause...what is the proper technique for cleaning these pads when you are using a rotary buffer?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Do you think this wear is caused by the nylon brush being held against the face of the foam pad when you're cleaning it and in essence ripping the leading edges off as you bring the RPM's up?

That's what it looks like.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Alrighty....lets try this again

Jason,

Here is the pad in question. Process was...

M105 on a wool pad. Dewalt buffer at 1400rpm's.

Solo on this foam pad. Makita buffer at 1000rpm's(one click past the #2 setting on the Makita).

The pad was brand new when I used it on this vehicle on Monday(5-12-08). The pad has not been used since that vehicle. Other than using a nylon brush, this pad has never been cleaned. Really not sure why these pads do this to me. All of my Solo Finishing pads end up like this after 1 or 2 vehicles.

If you need anymore info, please contact me(Mike Phillips has my phone #).


Anyhow, here are the pictures...

Thanks!!
Nick

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Thanks for the reply Jason.
I'll get a picture of one of my pads today. I just finished a 55 chevy, and used Solo and the finishing pad on this car. RPM's were right at 1000rpm. And the pad is almost gone after just one car.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: Solo foam pads...

Jason,

I use the foam pads on the rotary at speeds around 1200 using M86 only.

Can you let us know what's the best way to clean the solo foam pads?

BTW, I do apreciate all the testing work you do. I know there have been some long days and nights during product development and it shows with the many awesome products you guys produce. M86 & M105 are great additions to our toolkit.