Adam's pads failing after 2 uses? Is that normal?

[haugy]

I've finally become a big time fan of Adam's. I've done two vehicles and they are amazingly fantastic. I'm thrilled with all my new products.

 

But I've got two pads already falling apart after two vehicles. I'm experience with a power buffer. I don't ride the edges of the pad, or lift it off the vehicle allowing it to get up to full speed. I wash them immediately after using them with the APC.

 

But my orange pad and white pad are coming apart around the edges. They are opening up, and the orange one actually has a hole all the way through.

 

Are you guys experiencing this? I'm not sure what could cause this as I'm not having to really work the polisher. The vehicles I've done were in pretty good shape to start with.

 

I'd prefer to stay with the Adam's pads, but after only two uses, I can't afford to do that on a consistent basis.

[Chris@Adams]

Can you post up some pics so we can see whats going on?

Thanks!

[haugy]

Yeah, I'll try to get some tomorrow. But basically flip the pad over and look at the back. The excess lip that rises above the velcro is opening up. The orange pad has a hole all the way through it from the back where the pad is separating.

[Team Adam's]

Not 'normal' at all, and while there is always the possibility for a few defects in every couple hundred pads (nothing in this world is 100% perfect 100% of the time) most failures like this are due to improper technique. Usually its a symptom of not keeping the pad flat to the paint which then allows the backing plate to "dig" into the edging.

 

From the thread stickied at the top of this section:

 

 

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/machine-polishing/13171.htm#post228683

 

 

UPDATE: Pad Wear and Tear/When to Replace

 

On average you can expect to see somewhere between 10-15 full corrections out of a set of pads. Obviously this will vary based on the number of passes made with each pad, the degree to which the pads are worked, and the size of the vehicles. Like anything else the pads will start to break down in one way or another, but proper maintenance helps ensure you get the most uses before having to retire a set.

 

COMMON ISSUES CAUSED BY MISUSE:

 

Pad does not stick well to backing plate or wants to shift during use - This is indicative of velcro failure. If the pads have been used heavily and more than a dozen times this is common. Pulling the pads off of the plate breaks some of the 'loops' in the hook and loop system each time. Remove the pads enough times and the loops begin to no longer hold. Also inspect your backing plate... it will pick up lint and fibers from a number of sources, a buildup of these will lead to a less "sticky" backing plate. Clean debris and fibers from the backing plate often.

 

Pad has rip or tear along the back edging - This issue is seen with improper technique, most notably not keeping the pad flush or as flush as possible with the finish during use. Even a slight tilt in your polishing position will allow the backing plate to dig into the bevel and thus cause a tear in the pad. This issue is often exaggerated by pulling the pad from the backing plate improperly. Anytime the pad is to be removed avoid pulling from just the edge. Work your fingers between the pad and the backing plate to start a separation and then pull with your fingers holding more of the pad than just the edge.

[haugy]

Hi Dylan, thanks for chiming in.

 

Yeah, I've learned to keep a polisher level during use. My old polisher's backing plate ran all the way to the edge of the pad, so I had to learn the hard way on how to keep a polisher level or I'd gouge my paint.

 

The cars were two small vehicles a Tacoma and Benz C-class. When I did the first vehicle I felt and could see the pad loosening. On the second vehicle is when they came apart. I would think I'd have to ride the edge pretty good for a failure that fast on one car. Would they fail that fast?

[pjwoolw]

I had the same thing happen with the first couple of sets of PC pads. Nothing wrong with the pads at all. Just a technique issue on my part. Practice practice!

If you haven't yet get a set of the 4 inch pads and use those in the tighter areas. Works for me.

[suke]

Looks like I'm in the same boat, and fortunately I'm not bringing a thread back from the dead. I didn't want to start a new thread since it looks like others are facing the same issue. I've got to be doing something wrong as I'm lucky if I can get pads to last up to 3 uses. Only one that's lasted is the black pad. Every other car I have to order new pads. I'm in need of a new green, orange and white now. Green has seen 3-5 cars, orange and white 2 cars. Having the same issue as the OP they are separating at the edge of the velcro ripped almost to the point of all the way through. This is my second set of pads for the orange and white to do this. So I doubt it's a product issue. It's gotta be me.

 

I'm not new to detailing, but new to adams products. I have a lake country pad that's seen a lot of abuse and shows no sign of slowing down. I like the completeness of the adams stuff and would much rather stick with it.

 

Off to do some searching to see what's wrong in my technique.

[randyfox]

Maybe I missed it, but Flex or PC?

[haugy]

It's a PC. And I bought the 4" pads for tight tough spots. The big pads get used on the big flat panels. I do the bumpers and the rear section of the trunk with the 4".

[eric@thompsonracing.us]

I have probably 6 sets of pads for both the PC and Flex. I rotate through the sets as they get used frequently for demos. The only time I've had a pad fail is due to poor technique. My pads are over a year old and were demo pads every other weekend this year. The other weekends, they were used on my personal cars. I've had two, maybe three pads go bad this year, all do to poor technique.

 

I suggest you buy a second set of pads and see if they have the same issue. Most people I know with a PC or Flex keep at least two sets of pads so you can clean one set and let them dry and have the second set ready to go.

[haugy]

I have probably 6 sets of pads for both the PC and Flex. I rotate through the sets as they get used frequently for demos. The only time I've had a pad fail is due to poor technique. My pads are over a year old and were demo pads every other weekend this year. The other weekends, they were used on my personal cars. I've had two, maybe three pads go bad this year, all do to poor technique.

 

 

Can I ask a question? You noted that you had pads fail due to poor technique? How do you know they did because of your technique? What were you doing that you know caused that? If they failed because you knowingly did that, why would you do that to a pad, or was it necessary? I ask because I'm trying to learn, not to nitpick or argue. Again, my concern is, if my technique was off, wouldn't my green pad have also suffered damage? It looks brand new out of the box still. As they all do actually, except the pad seperation on the orange and white.

 

I'm only taking care of my toys, so I didn't think I would need mult-sets of pads. Seeing as it takes me nearly 12 hours of work to do what I call a full blown detail of the whole vehicle in and out, I don't do but one vehicle a weekend. I see your point about having extra pads though.

[Team Adam's]

I think what Eric is getting at is that the demo pads go thru a lot more than just a personal use set, many times with people getting hands on training at a clinic where techniques are being figured out.

 

The big PA clinic last month I let a customer pick up the PC and take a few turns polishing on a demo car to get a feel for it. The first thing I had to correct for him was his lean on the machine. He was about 15* tilted to the side, had I let him continue its likely that would've been a cause for pad failure. Its not an uncommon mistake as you're getting started with machine polishing, and most people don't even realize they're doing it until you point it out. Also, like I mentioned earlier - contact our customer service... we can replace these for you if they're defective.

 

One thing I forgot to ask... do you run the machine with the handle or do you hold it with your hand over the top?

[eric@thompsonracing.us]

Dylan hit it on the nose. My pads get used for demos, mostly people who have never used the machine before. My pads see the worst abuse possible and still hold up. I only see them tear apart when someone decides to run them across an antena, washer nozzles, trim, etc.

 

And if you have the handle on your machine, rip it off and throw it out.

 

If you can, video yourself. You will learn a lot about your technique! Sometimes it's hard for people to visualize the difference between correct technique and what they feel in their hands and perceive as correct technique.

 

Having an extra set of pads is like having an extra set of socks. They won't go bad and you'll need em someday!

[haugy]

Ahh, that makes sense. I didn't understand what he meant by demo'ing them.

 

No handle, I learned on an older one that allowed me to put all kinds of too much pressure or lean on them.

 

I'll take pics of the pads tonight. If they failed because I fubar'd them, well then that's my fault. But honestly seeing how I "thought" I knew what I was doing and thought I was keeping it level, my first thought was failure.

[Team Adam's]

Don't sweat it! And by no means am I trying to say its absolutely your fault... like anything theres times when a product fails for a defect or other reason. My thought process, either way is we need to make sure your technique is right first... b/c if we send you new pads and you continue the same way, then you'd just have another set of wrecked pads.