how does one clean buffing pads?

[Dyldo]

I have no idea and google talks about some pad cleaners that tbh if i don't see them on CCP then i don't buy them.

[Ozram]

I was at one of the clinics yesterday and Michael used this Car Care Products / Edge / Car Accessories / Buffing Pads / Tool - Pad Conditioning Brush

took the dry powder & dust off a treat.

[Dyldo]

i caught a video somewhere that showed people getting a MF towel and basically grabbing the pad whilst it was on a slow (1) rotation setting and sort of cleaning it that way? I dunno.

[golfgti101]

air hose.

[DMS_Dan]

Whilst doing the car still you use the pad conditioning brush. This will take all the old polish off the surface of the pad and leave you with a clean buffing area.

When the car is finished I spray mine down with some APC (like Mint APC for example) let them sit for 5 mins then give them a really good rinse under the tap with warm water. Keep rinsing and squeezing until only clean water comes out. To dry them off lay them flat in a warm area or, like me, put them in the dryer.

This method leaves you with brand new pads each time that will last longer and perform better than pads that are just spurred then put away.

[carcareproducts]

If you need to 'clean' (unclog from too much polish) pads while you are in the middle of polishing then a Pad Cleaning brush, that has stiff nylon bristles is good and likewise a good blast from a compressor can blow out the dust and polish.

Once you have finished the job or the day, then we simply put them in a bucket with warm water and some APC (or if you do not have this, dishing liquid usually works) leave them to soak for 30mins and then wash them out under runnning water until clear. Squeeze out the majority of water and then put them on your polisher, over a bucket, and spin them off to remove more water, then leave to dry - they should be good to go again the following day.

Some of our pads have been washed out 30-40 times and are still fine.

Edit: Started writing this reply an hour ago, got distracted and after posting saw Dan's...

[Dyldo]

Excellent, thanks guys. I am pretty sparing with my polishes, but after doing my headlights the week before and not cleaning my pads I then attacked the bonnet of my car and figured my pads to be clogged.

Just to check, are the pads clogged when you start to get too much dusting?

[DMS_Dan]

Not necessarily clogged, just full of old polish. The dust is the abrasives in the polish, which are usually suspended in the oils, but as the oils are dried up the abrasives go everywhere

[Dyldo]

is it dangerous to have the dust everywhere? Or just unsightly?

I thought the Menzerna range were low dusting anyway, so I think i'll be cleaning my pads after every session regardless.

[DMS_Dan]

Just annoying. Menzerna is very low dusting when your using them, but if you let it dry out, that's out the window. Its the same for every polish

[D3bb4]

bucket of water and a cap full of car wash... massage the pad till it's clean. (for foam)

[DMS_Dan]

bucket of water and a cap full of car wash... massage the pad till it's clean. (for foam)

Car wash isn't strong enough to break down the oils that are present in the polish. That's why some APC is recommended. You could also use dishwashing liquid.

[jasn78]

so no1 here uses that powder stuff you can buy from dp etc?