When to switch DA pads

[txag09]

I recently purchased a DA power system and have already spent two weekends detailing my vehicles. I have had to throw away two pads already because the backing came loose from the foam. My question is how often do you change to a new pad during each step? I do use the red, yellow and black pad according to the product being applied. Currently the pads are saturated with product after completing each step, compound, polish and wax. What am I missing? The vehicles look amazing and I am already looking to up grade to a real DA polisher.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: When to switch DA pads

Are you cleaning the pads often while using them? Could be they're holding too much product & that's why the backing separates from the foam.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: When to switch DA pads

Here's a link to show you how-to-do-it.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2009-2016-how-articles-mike-phillips/20135-how-clean-your-foam-pad-fly.html

[tcope1]

Re: When to switch DA pads

If you are using brand name pads you should not have issues. You should be priming the pad (just enough product to cover the entire pad) and then just using a few dots of product each time you do a small section of a panel. There are many videos on Youtube about this. You should also be cleaning "on the fly" after every panel. This removes the old product and paint from the pad so that it can continue to do it's work. I have around 20 pads that I've used around 50 times and they look brand new.

[drumdan]

Re: When to switch DA pads

Pads that small, just need two drops initially, and maybe one on the reload.

Use an old toothbrush to brush out the pad after doin a section or two. Use a spare microfiber towel to wipe off/soak up excess liquid from the pad.

[Macnut]

Re: When to switch DA pads

I recently purchased a DA power system and have already spent two weekends detailing my vehicles. I have had to throw away two pads already because the backing came loose from the foam. My question is how often do you change to a new pad during each step? I do use the red, yellow and black pad according to the product being applied. Currently the pads are saturated with product after completing each step, compound, polish and wax. What am I missing? The vehicles look amazing and I am already looking to up grade to a real DA polisher.

So far, every yellow and black meguiars pad Iʻve purchased has had the backing come off after washing. For some reason, the red pads donʻt. Weird. What I did was apply a very thin and even coat of gorilla glue to the backing, and reattach it to the damp pad. Gorilla glue activates with water so you want the pad damp (but not wet). I place a heavy book on it to weight it down as it cures. The backing has never come off after many many use/wash cycles. The entire pad will feel a slightly firmer as well, but has performed perfectly, as new.

[Nick Winn]

Re: When to switch DA pads

I recently purchased a DA power system and have already spent two weekends detailing my vehicles. I have had to throw away two pads already because the backing came loose from the foam. My question is how often do you change to a new pad during each step? I do use the red, yellow and black pad according to the product being applied. Currently the pads are saturated with product after completing each step, compound, polish and wax. What am I missing? The vehicles look amazing and I am already looking to up grade to a real DA polisher.

So far, every yellow and black meguiars pad Iʻve purchased has had the backing come off after washing. For some reason, the red pads donʻt. Weird. What I did was apply a very thin and even coat of gorilla glue to the backing, and reattach it to the damp pad. Gorilla glue activates with water so you want the pad damp (but not wet). I place a heavy book on it to weight it down as it cures. The backing has never come off after many many use/wash cycles. The entire pad will feel a slightly firmer as well, but has performed perfectly, as new.

Hey Guys,

If you are having trouble with our pads, either for our DA Power System or other, we would actually encourage you to contact our Solutions Hub at 800-347-5700 or customercare@meguiars.com. We want to know these things so they can be documented internally. Also, if it is determined the pads failed in after an un-reasonably amount of uses with proper technique, we want to make it right for you.

Below are some variables which can impact pad life:

• using too much product
• incorrect backing plate
• excessive heat build up from essentially from extended heavy pressure, high speed, or just working very aggressively

Agreed, pad cleaning is recommended. Below is also an article with information on pad cleaning:

Pad cleaning "on the fly"