Pad Question

[Andy M.]

Hello all,
do you have to premist your pads or can you use them dry? What do you do? I have heard of some people pre-misting their pads with instant detailer spray. Question is can you use them dry with just the product or do you have to moisten them first?
Any replies would be helpful. Maybe I should post a poll.
Thanks in advance
Andy aka. 101impala

[RDVT4ME]

I always mist them to make sure I don't put any scratches in the paint. I think you may have a problem if you don't.

[STG]

Mike Phillips has posted that he does not put anything on PC pads other than the product he's applying (W8006 and W9006). Rotaries are a different story.

QUOTE:Originally posted by SilverS2k

What is wrong with priming the pad with QD? I always give a squirt of QD or water on my pads before I apply any product. One thing I would like to know with NXT is what do I do about my PC pads? I can soak them for a day and the NXT just does not want to come out of the pad. I end up soaking/ringing/soaking for about 5-10 minutes but even after that the pad seems sticky. Is this alright to use again?
Thank you,
Alex



Typically, you don't want to introduce water or any liquid chemical into a wax formula because you can potentially alter the performance of the product. It's okay with compounds, paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes, but not with waxes.

As to your second question, the reason you have a hard time removing NXT Tech Wax from anything is because it's water and detergent resistant.

It's funny, some people complain that the product doesn't last long or protect well, but I've actually seen these same people complaint that they can't wash the product out of their wax pad.

At this time, I don't know of an easy way to remove the NXT Tech Wax from your applicator pads and buffing pads, I have the same problem also. If we change the formula to wash out of the pads easily, that will mean it will wash off the car easily, which will defeat the purpose.

Mike

__________________
Mike Phillips

[Blr123]

Hi there,

I don't spritz the my pads unless I want to work the product a little longer.

Also, as soon as I have finished with my pads I spritz them with APC........HTH

Bryan

[farmboy]

I use MF applicators for paint and foam for dressings. I leave them dry and just apply a little more product on a clean applicator.

[RDVT4ME]

Originally posted by STG
Mike Phillips has posted that he does not put anything on PC pads other than the product he's applying (W8006 and W9006). Rotaries are a different story.

QUOTE:Originally posted by SilverS2k




It's okay with compounds, paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes, but not with waxes.


Mike

__________________
Mike Phillips

As is shown in your quote from Mike Phillips....he states that it is OK with compounds, paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes, but not waxes.


I only use QD the first time or if the product is drying too fast (like #83 does at times).

[STG]

Originally posted by RDVT4ME
I always mist them to make sure I don't put any scratches in the paint. I think you may have a problem if you don't.

I was looking for an answer to this statement.

If a pad will scratch the paint, how does misting prevent it?

[RDVT4ME]

Originally posted by STG
I was looking for an answer to this statement.

If a pad will scratch the paint, how does misting prevent it?

It adds lubrication until the product (which has lubrication) gets evenly spread over the pad. If you buffed with a dry pad you could scratch the paint. This just gives a little extra insurance until the pad has product evenly spread. I have personally seen Mike Phillips and other meguiars instructors do this numberous times if you have any doubts.

I hope that answers your question.

If you don't mist, will you get massive scratches.....no you won't. But why chance putting any scratches in the paint, when your goal is to remove them.

[Mobilejoe]

I do not pre mist my pads, just use the compound on the pad. I have all my used pads marked with the compond I use them for, never intermix the pads with different compounds.

[Michael Stoops]

I don't premist mine either, and all the times I've been to Meguiar's garage, either for a Saturday clinic or Wednesday night open garage, I don't recall seeing a pad get misted before applying product.

This topic does get discussed fairly often in detailing discussions, whether live or online, and I think the answer is simply one of personal preference. I don't think either way is inherintly right or wrong.

[mavrick]

Re: Pad Question

Whats different for a rotory,thats ALL i got?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Pad Question

Whats different for a rotary,thats ALL i got?

The rotary offers so much immediate power when the pad is brought down onto the surface of the paint that if you're not careful you can cause damage right away.

A new or dry used pad, when first used can create a lot of heat instantly until the pad becomes whetted with liquid product.

Misting on some quick detailer like M34 helps to moisten the pad until the product you're using has time to make it's way all over the pad to moisten or lubricate it.

(This is so much easier to show in person and explain than to type with a keyboard)

Meguiar's sells a video where it shows misting a clean, dry cutting pad with M34 so that you're not bringing down a dry, aggressive cutting pad onto a paint finish right before you pick up your strip of product, in this case in the video it's M84 Compound Power Cleaner. Until the strip of product is picked up onto the face of the pad and worked around the pad, the pad is dry and very abrasive. Misting the pad helps to moisturize and lubricate it so that it's not dry and abrasive.

It is an optional step.

There are some people that never do this. The way they get around it is they understand the process, that is they understand they're bringing a dry cutting pad down on a thin film of paint and they don't do it like a Gorilla.

They are gentle with their technique until they have picked up their bead or strip of product and worked it around a little. Because a dry pad takes a little product to make it moist, these people often times don't buff very long with their first strip of product they've picked up, but instead, stop the buffing process and add a little more product. Maybe even clean their pad and inspect it at the same time before picking up the second strip. It's all in the idea of being careful. Polishing paint isn't just a mechanical, step 1, step 2, step 3, process, it's an art form.

By the time you've applied and picked up two strips of product you've effectively saturated/moistened the surface of your cutting pad to the level that you're good-to-go and you don't have to worry about any dry pad buffing issues.

They could moisten the pad, but they don't because it's not their style or preference.

Sometimes you just have to find what works best for you and perfect your style.

Also, if you, (maverick), only have a rotary buffer and you want to turn out swirl-free flawless finishes when the paint is viewed in any light condition, then read this thread and the include links to threads on the topic, then you shouldn't have to come back to the forum and ask why you're getting buffer trails, or swirls or holograms when all you're using is the rotary buffer.


Getting trails / holograms

[rascal]

Re: Pad Question

No premist for me, but I could change later on. I do mark my pads for one product only, I never mix products on one pad.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Pad Question

No premist for me, but I could change later on. I do mark my pads for one product only, I never mix products on one pad.

Great tip to point out. Some people instead of marking their pads are accustomed to each products scent and simply smell the pad to see what was used on it last.

[rascal]

Re: Pad Question

Great tip to point out. Some people instead of marking their pads are accustomed to each products scent and simply smell the pad to see what was used on it last.

Would be hard to do if your Sniffer wasn't working right due to a cold.