Machine wash the W4000?

[Mary S]

Hi, the label on this product says "Clean wool pads frequently using a wool pad cleaning spur, compressed air or machine wash."

Is it true this pad can be machine washed? If so, I assume gentle cycle cool water? Any guidelines on soap to use?

I have been just hand washing the wool part and spin drying it. I didn't want to try the machine wash until I was sure.

[HCAD]

Re: Machine wash the W4000?

I like the idea of hand washing as well. APC or APC+ works for me.

Maybe they are referring to a pad washing "machine"? ie. a wash bucket with pad washing mechanism inside.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Machine wash the W4000?

Keep in mind the target audience for these pads - professional and/or commercial use. "Machine washing" in that context is not the same as throwing the pad into your Maytag like you do with your towels.

A pad washer is great if you're doing a lot of cars and using a lot of pads, but they aren't really cost effective for the weekend warrior. During use it is very important to use either compressed air or a pad spur on a very regular basis to keep the pad clean. When finished with the pad you can spray some APC onto it and spray with the hose or even hand wash it in a bucket, then put it back on the buffer to spin dry before putting back on the shelf to fully dry, protected from dust. When you're ready to use it again, put it on the buffer and give it a once over with the spur before going to the paint.

[Mary S]

Re: Machine wash the W4000?

Thank you both! Hand washing and spin drying on the rotary has been working well for me. My sandbox so far has only been about a 12" x 12" corner of a junk hood I was able to locate so I haven't had to wash the pads a lot, but I will get a spur next order I make to ADC.