Cleaning buffing pads?

[woptang22]

I just bought a used porter cable that came with a bunch of 6.5 inch pads. But they look pretty dirty. How could I clean these pads instead of replacing them?

[flynscot]

Chemical guys has a pad cleaner that works well for removing the polish from the pads. Spray it on, then let it soak in warm water for about 10 minutes. Works great.

[XxMerlinxX]

Dawn Power Dissolver and hot water.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by XxMerlinxX

Dawn Power Dissolver and hot water.

+1

Works great. Spray on power dissolver and then rub and rinse.

I used to buy it from Walmart off the shelf but it looks like it's not available anymore. It looks like you can buy it from Amazon labeled as a professional product.

[lorinzo]

I have had good luck with Chemical Guys pad cleaner.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by XxMerlinxX

Dawn Power Dissolver and hot water.

this is a good method. spray some undiluted apc if you have some on it and let it sit in hot water mixed in with the dawn as well. don't worry about staining

[woptang22]

Originally Posted by XxMerlinxX

Dawn Power Dissolver and hot water.

Is this anything similar to dawn dish detergent? Reason I ask is because I plan on washing the pads so I can buff the car this weekend but if I order online I most likely won't receive the cleaner in time...

[Z K]

Originally Posted by woptang22

Is this anything similar to dawn dish detergent? Reason I ask is because I plan on washing the pads so I can buff the car this weekend but if I order online I most likely won't receive the cleaner in time...

Power Disolver is not dish washing detergent. It is a spray that you spray on and then the polish just dissolves as you rinse out the pad. It is pretty powerful stuff. I guess that is why they don't sell it off the shelf anymore in retail stores.

[woptang22]

Originally Posted by Z K

Power Disolver is not dish washing detergent. It is a spray that you spray on and then the polish just dissolves as you rinse out the pad. It is pretty powerful stuff. I guess that is why they don't sell it off the shelf anymore in retail stores.

Thank you for the input Also do you have any idea if buffing pads can be purchased at any kind of local store such as pepboys or can they only be ordered online?

[Z K]

Originally Posted by woptang22

Thank you for the input Also do you have any idea if buffing pads can be purchased at any kind of local store such as pepboys or can they only be ordered online?

Most polishers enthusiasts or detailers use have a velcro back plate that hooks up to the pad that way. You will not find anything like that at local stores.

[XxMerlinxX]

Advance Auto has Griot's Garage 6.5" polishing pads.

[XxMerlinxX]

Just checked Walmart's website, evidently Power Dissolver has been discontinued and is only sold as a "professional" cleaner now through online retailers. I've heard Greased Lightning works on pads also, I'll pick up a bottle today and give it a shot.

[mills84]

I use the lake country snappy clean powder from detailed image. I divide 1 pack up and it gets me 2-3 cleanings. I've never tried anything else.

[woptang22]

Originally Posted by XxMerlinxX

Advance Auto has Griot's Garage 6.5" polishing pads.

Thank you for the info. Ill check them out.

[woptang22]

Originally Posted by mills84

I use the lake country snappy clean powder from detailed image. I divide 1 pack up and it gets me 2-3 cleanings. I've never tried anything else.

Thats what I was recommended by Detailed Image. I think Im going to get the snappy clean powder. Seems like an affordable product. By the way this is going to be the first time for me using a porter cable or any kind of power buffer so Im pretty nervous. How do you buff the small areas on the car such as the paint just above the door between the roof and door? Or just any small area?

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by woptang22

Thats what I was recommended by Detailed Image. I think Im going to get the snappy clean powder. Seems like an affordable product. By the way this is going to be the first time for me using a porter cable or any kind of power buffer so Im pretty nervous. How do you buff the small areas on the car such as the paint just above the door between the roof and door? Or just any small area?

You can use the edge of the polishing pad on small surfaces. In general, avoid ridge lines and edges with any fast cut compound as you can burn through the clear coat. There are also small pad versions of orbital polishers such as the one sold by Griot's Garage.

When new to machine polishing, best to use a fine/finishing polish to get the hang of it, nothing too aggressive.

[woptang22]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

You can use the edge of the polishing pad on small surfaces. In general, avoid ridge lines and edges with any fast cut compound as you can burn through the clear coat. There are also small pad versions of orbital polishers such as the one sold by Griot's Garage.

When new to machine polishing, best to use a fine/finishing polish to get the hang of it, nothing too aggressive.

Thank you for the advice. When I bought the porter cable used it came with pinnacle fine swirl remover 2, ultra fine swirl remover 1, carnauba finishing glaze, and s
Xmt 180 high gloss carnauba wax. Also a variety of lake country 6.5" pads of which are kinda beat up. So I've ordered some new 5.5" pads from detailed image being my pads are beat up and 6.5" which seems a bit big for a 5" backing plate. I just did the trunk lid only using the swirl remover 2 with an orange pad, swirl remover 1 with gray pad(because I don't have white pad yet), and finishing glaze with a blue pad. 6.5" was too big for the 5" backing plate. But the trunk lid looks better except for where it meets the little trunk lip. Not sure if those scratches were there, or if I caused them? Could I have caused those scratches?

[Beemdog]

If the car was pretty clean and free of any grit when you started, it is unlikely you caused the scratches. The area immediately in front of the rear lip does trap bits of junk and can accumulate scratches as people wipe off the car over the years (especially dry wiping it). Scratches from a polisher would generally be semi-circular in shape, rather than linear. Also, as you bring up the surface gloss of a vehicle, some imperfections that were not visible or obvious can show up that were previously masked by a dull finish.

[woptang22]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

If the car was pretty clean and free of any grit when you started, it is unlikely you caused the scratches. The area immediately in front of the rear lip does trap bits of junk and can accumulate scratches as people wipe off the car over the years (especially dry wiping it). Scratches from a polisher would generally be semi-circular in shape, rather than linear. Also, as you bring up the surface gloss of a vehicle, some imperfections that were not visible or obvious can show up that were previously masked by a dull finish.

Thank you again for the help. The scratches were actually linear so at this point Im assuming they were already there. I think using the Porter Cable is going to take some getting used to. Especially until I receive the correct size pads. 6.5" pads on a 5" backing plate just arent working for a novice like myself. So I have some 5.5" on order. Hopefully I make out a bit better tomorrow. Being I washed the car today and plan on using the porter cable a bit more tomorrow would you suggest just dusting the car off? Another wash is not necessary is it?