Foam pad life?

[Garsnow]

I use the adams foam pads on my pc with the older correcting polish, and during my last two details my orange pad has been ommiting orange dust like crazy, and I dont think im getting the same cut strength that I used to. Is this pad dead?

[Kingsford]

Dusting was common with Swirl and Haze Remover. You are ether not cleaning the pads well enough from the time before, working the polish too long, not using enough Detail Spray or using too much product.

 

The pads have a life of 5-10 full vehicle details to be on the safe side.

 

A couple things... Be sure to wash out the pad until the water runs clear. Only work the polish until it flashes and sort of looks like Vaseline on the paint. 1-2 Sprays of DS on the pad before each panel to keep the product alive and cut down on heat. Use only a thing + pattern or 3-4 pea size drops of product. 

 

You can also pick up a pad brush and run it over the pad at a low speed and get the excess dust out of the pad. 

 

Lots of correcting polishes dust. Megs 105 is TERRIBLE for dusting. Some dusting is normal.

[Garsnow]

Thanks for the info.

 

I use detail spray to prime, and I dont believe im using too much product. But I do believe if your 5-10 vehicle estimate is correct then I am at the end of its life cycle.

 

I think it's time to try the microfiber cutting pad combo'd with the white foam finishing pad.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Garsnow

[Kingsford]

The MF Pads do need to be brushed out at the end of each panel or it will dust as well.

[Sizzle Chest]

It sounds like the foam is breaking down and you are getting foam 'dust'.  I would say that pad is done!  Get yourself some new ones and enjoy the better 'cut' and not having to worry about them falling apart on you. 

 

Keep us posted...

[BRZN]

Dusting was common with Swirl and Haze Remover. You are ether not cleaning the pads well enough from the time before, working the polish too long, not using enough Detail Spray or using too much product.

 

 

A couple things... Be sure to wash out the pad until the water runs clear. Only work the polish until it flashes and sort of looks like Vaseline on the paint. 1-2 Sprays of DS on the pad before each panel to keep the product alive and cut down on heat. Use only a thin X pattern or 3-4 pea size drops of product.

I agree with as much of Kingsford's post as I've copied. Pads will last much longer than 5-10 vehicles if they're taken care of and cleaned properly. Mine don't get replaced until they're torn and are cleaned with APC and Dawn brand dishwashing liquid. The foam shouldn't dust unless stored in a wet environment and allowed to deteriorate. The dusting you're experiencing is most likely dried product. If too much polish is in the pad, it will loose it's cutting strength as the pad will be riding on a layer of polish rather than working a small amount of polish on the vehicles surface. 

[Garsnow]

I clean them pretty good with apc and the water definitely runs clear. Who knows, maybe I think they're clean but not enough? Im going to just replace them

[mc2hill]

I clean them pretty good with apc and the water definitely runs clear. Who knows, maybe I think they're clean but not enough? Im going to just replace them

 

Try soaking them in the wash bucket for a few days: 

 

Put a few gallons of water in the bucket with several sprays of APC.  Spray each pad with APC, put them face down in the water, put the Grit Guard on top of them, then spin on the lid.  Let them sit for a day or so, then rinse them out.  Spray with APC again and scrub them against the Grit Guard.  Rinse until the water is clear.  

[BRZN]

I wash mine by:

Rinsing them with water until the water runs clear.

Spay them thoroughly with APC and work it in/through/around the entire pad.

Let them sit like this for 10 minutes or so.

Rinse the APC out until the water runs clear

Fill a bucket with warm water and a good heavy squirt of Dawn brand dish washing liquid.

Place the pads in this bucket and squeeze them until the soap is mixed and into the pad.

Let them sit in the bucket for an hour or so.

Rinse until the water runs clear.

Let sit to dry.

[Chris@Adams]

I agree with as much of Kingsford's post as I've copied. Pads will last much longer than 5-10 vehicles if they're taken care of and cleaned properly. Mine don't get replaced until they're torn and are cleaned with APC and Dawn brand dishwashing liquid. The foam shouldn't dust unless stored in a wet environment and allowed to deteriorate. The dusting you're experiencing is most likely dried product. If too much polish is in the pad, it will loose it's cutting strength as the pad will be riding on a layer of polish rather than working a small amount of polish on the vehicles surface. 

Bingo!