Well I bought my first set of pads a month or so ago when I got my orbital, used them on my car and have done another car since then.

After each use I rinse them real well with water and squeez them out to get all the product out... then leave them in a box.... is this bad? Ive seen people talking about a pad solution? and keeping them labeled in a zip lock....?

also how many times should I use and clean a pad before totally replacing it?

wanted to start a thread in here to get the forum moving...

lets hear all your pad prep, care, and storage tips and tricks and compare.

 

All polishing pads should be cleaned afterwards. If you have time following the detail, I would suggest cleaning at that point. During a detail, when I need to swap pads out, I will toss the one being replaced in a bucket of soapy water, just to keep the polish from setting in and drying. Once Im home, I will run under warm water while massaging with some dish soap, rinse, repeat, then let dry, pad side down of either a piece of cardboard or a MF, out of direct sun.
Pads will last quite a time when used and maintained properly. Theres no definite "time" they will last, it all depends on user maintenance and habits. I usually get 1/2 dozen details out of a single pad AT LEAST.
As for dedicated cleaners, some are good, some are no better then an APC. I use Charliesoap for cleaning, when they've been a little neglected. '

 

After I use my pads I like to let them sit in a bucket of water for a little, and then rinse them out with dawn (blue dawn) soap. I make sure to try and not wring the pads, but push the product out (if that makes sense). When I am done I let them sit to dry and I put them in zip lock bags after they have dried.


I don't know if there is a specified number of times you should clean a pad before replacing it. I would say it's one of those things where you use your best judgment. Depending on how aggressive you use the pad it may last longer/shorter. If you can tell it's not performing the way it should, then I would replace it.

There is a thread somewhere that has a bunch of people posting pics of their products and how they store them. I'll see if I can find it

Found it - https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/where-how-do-you-store-your-car-care-items-795215/ This is not a direct answer to your question, but may give you some ideas.

 

great so the "soapy bucket of water" the (soap) you guys are talking about is just regular dish soap being used?

If so seems pretty easy, I have just used water since I was not sure if soap was safe to apply and which kind of soap if any...

 

"Soap" is fine. I find very little difference in dedicated pad cleaners myself. I offered them for sale to those who's opinion differed, but my personal opinion is its not that big of a difference to justify buying it.

 

 

I have never used a dedicated pad cleaner before. Thought about it, maybe this up coming year I 'might' look into something

 

Im sure its just all hype and basically the same as soapy water... Ill stick with soapy water....

 

I do the same as most .. put them in a pail of soapy water ( Blue Dawn ) then I wash them soon as the detail is done. To wash I run a stream of warm water over then and do a spiral of blue Dawn then kneed them with my thumbs. You can tell when the polish is dissolved as the pads will suds easy .. It might take a couple or 3 times depending on the polish used.

Then I just roll the pad up like a Taco and squeeze it .. don't wring it. I then put it on a spare backing plate I have on my cordless drill and spin it to get the water out. I dry them on a clothes rack I have. I store them in a container but not separated. Container just keeps them from shop dust.

As for life .. I have had some 3 years .. dunno how many details but a lot.