OK, so I am a noob at the detailing process. I just received my Meg's polishing and finishing pads. Pulled them out of the package and actually read the directions on the insert (don't revoke my man-card please ).

It says to clean them with a brush or a terry cloth towel. I can see the towel as it would suck up some of the left over compound or sealant, but I don't understand the brush. Would the brush tend to tear at the foam fibers?

I guess this sorta extends to the method of use and whether I am leaving excess product on the pad that would need to be removed. The less I leave, the less aggressive the cleaning will need to be.

So, how do people clean their pads? Am I just overthinking this?

 

No, you are not over thinking this. It is a very good question.
If you don't get enough product (either polish or wax) out it will dry in the pad and then the pad is no good.
What I do is after using a pad, while the product is still wet, I put it under running water in the sink and wash out what I can.
After simple water logging I use some Dawn applied the pad, probably a couple of table spoons worth, and work it into the pad with my hands simply by squeezing the pad repeatedly. This will dissolve most of the product still in the pad.
Then rinse the Dawn and dissolved product out of the pad and air dry.
Don’t let the pad sit in water. I made that mistake and it causes the backing to come loose from the pad.

 

There's always this if your pockets are deep

http://www.autogeekmobile.net/meguiars-pad-washer.html

$120 for a bucket is a bit steep for my blood but there could be pad cleaning elves inside that I'm not aware of.

 

Wow! For $120, seems like it should be based on something other than a 5 gallon bucket. The Meguiar's label must be gold plated...

I think the depth of my pockets are more in line Thulchatt's suggestion. It may be more labor intensive, but in addition to the cash savings, there's one less thing I would need to find a place for in my garage.