I've been setting up for spring since my lovely wife graced the inside of my toolchest with a new PorterCable PC and a lovely selection of pads.

Heather & DP are co-beneficiaries in this since the pads and Prima Polish Bundle came from them (where else? ) But as I've put my detailing cart together and neatly arranged everything I'll need to obsess on my finish, I realized that I have no clue how to clean up after myself.......troubling thoughts rack my brain.

So what DO you do with pads after an afternoon of finishing? I can't imagine "use once/discard" being at all possible, but I have no idea what they'll need to be properly cleaned and stored afterwards.

Advice appreciated, I am truly clueless.

 

i started using Griot's Microfiber cleaner on my foam pads and has been great.

just wash under warm water, spray some of this MF cleaner, agitate,
then run under warm water. repeat as necessary. much faster than
using regular soap.

then squeeze the water out and let it air dry.

then place in a dust free box or ziplock bag, etc.

 

Actually one of the best things I love about Prima Swirl is that it washes out with warm water. No soap necessary. Just rinse, squeeze excess out until the water is clear. Squeeze water out, and spin dry on PC--carefully, using your hand to support the pad is it doesn't oscillate wildly.

Amigo and Epic are harder to wash out due to the polymers--some Dawn liquid soap works well here.

The orange pads are easiest to clean. The white pads hold more water and take a bit more effort to wash. The black pads are easy too, but you have to be careful not to rip it since it's more delicate.

Richard

 

To help get Epic out of my black pad I will spray with a 50/50 mix of water & Alcohol. Let that sit for a few minutes and then, as Richard says, wash with Dawn soap and warm water. I haven't needed the alcohol pre-wash for Amigo, but I do use Dawn on that pad, as well as the Swirl pad. The main thing is not to let Epic sit on your pad for too long after you have finished the waxing. If it cures it ain't coming out so after putting down the Epic I will take all the pads I have used and wash them. No procrastinating till the morning.

 

didn't someone just dip their pads in a bucket of water until
they had a chance to wash it? was it BradB?

 

For the water soluble products that would work, or if you haven't finished you can wrap them in plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Usually though I do the Swirl, Amigo and Epic in one session so when I'm done, I'm done and just clean up. I have had Swirl dry crusty on the pad between the time I finished with Swirl and finished with Epic and it comes out no problem. I've never had a problem with Amigo drying before I get a chance to wash the pad, but you could put it in water until you're ready to wash. I generally wash my Epic pad within 30-60 minutes of use.

 

I do this. Usually only a couple of days but when I get done with the car I drop the pads in a bucket of Dawn and water until I can wash them.

 

The problem with this, and probably mostly applies to Meguiar's pads, is that soaking the pads also soaks the glue that holds the velcro backing and you risk delamination. I haven't had any issues with the Prima/LC pads though.

 

Good to know.
I use the Meguiar pads, had them before I knew about Prima.
(Also only use Meguiar's products for consistent performance, and I still like M80 and M21).
I have not had this problem yet but will probably change my soaking habit.

 

This is why Meguiar's doesn't recommend washing their pads. You either wash them at your own risk, or use them, and replace them when they get soiled. Most people wash them, and use glue to reattach the felt.

 

i wash my pads while the wax is drying.

kinda kills 2 birds with one stone.

 

Aw c'mon, your just wearing your OCD on sleeve now.

Good comments from everyone....and Richards video is very helpful. Thanks all!

 

the other thing i would recommend is putting the pads into a ziploc afterward and marking what product you used on it so you know for next time.

 

That's a good suggestion. As for marking though, that mostly applies to pads that have the potential to be mixing chemicals because the pads aren't thoroughly clean i.e. Meguiar's. I see no reason why not to use Swirl on a white pad and Amigo on the same white pad if you've washed and dried the pad thoroughly. Also polishes and waxes have a distinctive smell. Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax doesn't smell like Prima Cut or Swirl or Epic, lol. =)

Richard

 

But OG, few of us are as into sniffing all this stuff as you are...

Nor do we have your professional olfactory skills.

 

Haha, that's why I chose Watermelon Jollyranchers for Black Wow! Don't need to be a pro to know that it smells good!

 

except it doesn't taste nearly as good as it smells...

 

Perhaps not, but a little bit goes a long ways!

 

But it will put the color back into your tongue!

 

Yep... much better than drinking peanut oil.

 

me too!

does that mean i am obsessive too