How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

[pizzano]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

What can be used to clean off the pads after applying the synthetic sealant 2.0 #21, it seems to stay slimmy , obviously it is not water soluable like the 105/205.

Thanks

[klink10]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

What can be used to clean off the pads after applying the synthetic sealant 2.0 #21, it seems to stay slimmy , obviously it is not water soluable like the 105/205.

Thanks

Having just done a detail of my chassis using NXT 2.0 as the LSP I found that a spritz of a product from a local store followed by a massaging(sp?) and rinse with warm water made my yellow applicator pad like new. PM for product name and store as I don't think I'm allowed to post it here.

[6043ron]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

The only issue I've ever seen caused by hand washing is de-lamination of the Velcro material from the foam, they tend not to stay their original color after washing, but the foam seems to work just the same.

We upgraded the adhesive used to hold the Velcro material onto the foam a couple of years ago so every pad being shipped today should have this new adhesive formula that is for sure water resistant and much more resistant to chemicals, heat and the wear and tear associated with the oscillating action of the dual action polisher on the 5.0 setting.

I have collected up three large boxes of foam pads used during our Detailing classes on Saturday's to experiment with washing using different soaps, the problem like usual is carving out the time as with forum growth it's really all I can do to keep up with the current duties and behind the scenes work, so adding new projects is difficult.

I know one thing for sure however, washing compounds, paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes will wash out with soap and water fairly easily, however when it comes to removing wax, especially the NXT and the M21 Synthetic Sealant, it's always going to be very tough to remove these products as they are water and detergent resistant.

In fact if you've ever tried to rinse out a foam wax applicator after using either of these two product you will have noticed how difficult it is to get all of the wax out of the pad and when it does come out it's not breaking up in the water, just coming out as a slimy ooze.

I use ZEP TNT. It's Truck and trailer wash. Product #0376 803D. I just put a splash on the pad and work it into the pad while running it under a slow running tap water. All the waxes and compounds just runs right out and then just wring it dry. The pad looks like new. Been doing this for years now. ZEP TNT is also great for spraying on your tires and scrubbing them with a brush. The TNT strips the tire right down to the rubber.

[Slidder]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

I have been washing ALL of my buffing pads using the "Pad Cleaning Bucket." In over two years I have never had a problem of any kind. These are pads I use with a PC or Flex. I have several of the same pads. I will let them air dry but have never put them in any type of plastic bag while they are damp. While one or more of the same type are drying then I will use a fresh one when needed. These are not Mequiar's pads but they do the same thing any Mequiar's pad will. When I am done with these pads I will be ordering ones from Mequiar's. All my pads are dedicated pads ~ one for each product.

[lewisb]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

Hi all! I'm a newbee here. Just got my new Meguiar's Dual Action Polisher along with a couple of pads, the yellow one for Ultimate Compound and the black one for wax / sealant. I decided on Ultimate Liquid Wax, and everything went great! Finish turned out awesome! Then came the dilemma of how to clean the waxing pad. I read this thread and others and couldn't figure out how to wash it out. As was stated here, water alone did NO good! I tried a using some dish soap in water, again without success. I read one of the posts that said something about an enzymatic cleaner. So here is what I did... I put a couple of inches of hot water in the sink and added Oxi-clean. I let the pad soak for an hour then rinsed it out. After shaking most of the water out, I put it back on the DA polisher and ran it on 6 for about a minute. To my amazement there wasn't a trace of the ULW left! Just like new. Letting it air dry now. What do you think?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

Hi all! I'm a newbee here. Just got my new Meguiar's Dual Action Polisher along with a couple of pads, the yellow one for Ultimate Compound and the black one for wax / sealant. I decided on Ultimate Liquid Wax, and everything went great! Finish turned out awesome! Then came the dilemma of how to clean the waxing pad. I read this thread and others and couldn't figure out how to wash it out. As was stated here, water alone did NO good! I tried a using some dish soap in water, again without success. I read one of the posts that said something about an enzymatic cleaner. So here is what I did... I put a couple of inches of hot water in the sink and added Oxi-clean. I let the pad soak for an hour then rinsed it out. After shaking most of the water out, I put it back on the DA polisher and ran it on 6 for about a minute. To my amazement there wasn't a trace of the ULW left! Just like new. Letting it air dry now. What do you think?

If it worked, then it's a good thing! You can just throw the new Soft Buff 2.0 pads, which is what you have, in the washing machine with warm water wash, cold rinse and any regular laundry detergent. Then toss 'em in the dryer on low heat until dry. This almost always removes all of the wax/sealant in the pad, except for a few cases. Most all of the black finishing pads in our training garage here at work look brand new, until you look at the back and see that the ink denoting the model number has faded. These have been washed literally dozens of times, which accounts for the faded ink on the back but the like new appearance of the foam itself (which is, after all, the important part!).

[lewisb]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

If it worked, then it's a good thing! You can just throw the new Soft Buff 2.0 pads, which is what you have, in the washing machine with warm water wash, cold rinse and any regular laundry detergent. Then toss 'em in the dryer on low heat until dry. This almost always removes all of the wax/sealant in the pad, except for a few cases. Most all of the black finishing pads in our training garage here at work look brand new, until you look at the back and see that the ink denoting the model number has faded. These have been washed literally dozens of times, which accounts for the faded ink on the back but the like new appearance of the foam itself (which is, after all, the important part!).

Michael,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I have the Soft Buff 2.0 pads. Would you wash them separately, or could you wash them with your microfiber towels? Just worry about getting that sealant on everything else in the wash!

Bryan

[billddrummer]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads



So what is the best way to clean/store foam pads?

I see nothing has been posted to this thread in years.

My pads could use some cleaning but I'm not looking to buy yet another chemical to do it.

Seems like dish soap, hot water and a terry cloth towel are the tools I'd like to use.

Thoughts?

[The Guz]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

So what is the best way to clean/store foam pads?

I see nothing has been posted to this thread in years.

My pads could use some cleaning but I'm not looking to buy yet another chemical to do it.

Seems like dish soap, hot water and a terry cloth towel are the tools I'd like to use.

Thoughts?

APC to clean them. It's a pain to rinse out all of the dish soap out of them.

[billddrummer]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

APC to clean them. It's a pain to rinse out all of the dish soap out of them.

What's APC? (Ignorance showing)

[Old Bear]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

Bill, THis is a near midnight attempt at humor, so laugh with me.

I believe APC is a TLA for All Purpose Cleaner.


Note: TLA is a TLA for Three Letter Acronymn.

[billddrummer]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

Bill, THis is a near midnight attempt at humor, so laugh with me.

I believe APC is a TLA for All Purpose Cleaner.


Note: TLA is a TLA for Three Letter Acronymn.

Laughing at both-thanks!

[torque]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

What's the best type of washer machine to use to clean the pads top or front loader and does the buffing pads float in the water?

[wht4drfa5]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

How about using a pad washing bucket?

[Nick Winn]

Re: How to clean Meguiar's foam buffing pads

How about using a pad washing bucket?

A pad washing bucket is primarily for compound & polish, products that will be released from the pad with water & agitation alone, not soap/detergent. For example, wax is not going to be released/cleaned from a pad washer. We recommend washing in machine with a free & clear detergent, for our microfiber towels and/or foam/microfiber pads. If you choose to use an all purpose cleaner, it would be best to use a product which does not have fabric softeners, like Simple Green. Many people pre-soak in a bucket with an APC, then wash in a machine with a free & clear type laundry detergent.