Within the reconditioning industry, opinions vary widely on how best to clean and care for both wool and foam buff pads. And since a clean, well maintained pad is key to producing a high gloss, swirl-free finish, proper pad care is critical.
Everyone agrees on the importance of regularly spurring a buff pad. A pad spur should be used on wool pads (not a screwdriver!), while a foam pad cleaning brush is needed on foam.
Spurring not only revitalizes a wool pad's fiber tufts, it prevents the pad from becoming saturated with product (which can damage both wool and foam, and cause swirl marks). Using a moderate amount of product also minimizes pad saturation.
Most experts also suggest not using more than one product per pad, particularly combining a compound and polish. Residue left from the first product used can cause the second product to cut more aggressively than desired.
Experienced detailers also recommend keeping track of the number of times a pad has been used, and employing a used pad only on certain finishes. We suggest marking your pad after each use, and buffing only older or lighter cars with pads that have been used more than twice. New and dark-colored clearcoats swirl easily, especially with a worn pad.
It is also important to monitor how a pad has been used. Buffing one oxidized conventional finish can be as hard on a pad as buffing several newer clearcoats.
After a wool pad has been buffed with twice, we recommend using it only for cutting.
To ensure you’ll generate the desired gloss level when polishing, inspect the pad's fibers closely. The fiber's twists should be intact, and look like yarn instead of threads. The pad's diameter should also be uniform.
When cleaning buff pads, it's best to presoak them by lightly spraying them with a properly diluted general purpose cleaner, especially if several hours have elapsed since they were used. This will loosen the accumulated dirt, grease and pigment.
If utilizing a washing machine to wash the pad, be sure to use cold or warm water. Hot water can soften the polyethylene backing on wool pads (causing them to curl), and loosen the Velcro®backing on foam pads. Pressure washers are also commonly used to wash pads.
Both foam and wool pads should be hung to dry. Electric dryers generate too much heat and will damage the pads.
As with most aspects of reconditioning, effective pad maintenance requires common sense. Extending pad life is important, but shouldn't be your only concern. We stress to our customers that the longer a pad is used, the more likely it is to swirl.
You want to get the most out of your pads, and by properly spurring and cleaning them, you will. But don't jeopardize a $1000 finish just to get one more buffing out of a $10 pad.
Care:
Wool Pads
1. Spur pad regularly with pad spur
2. Use moderate amount of product
3. Only use one product per pad (mark product used on back of pad)
4. Keep track of the number of times a pad is used (mark back of pad)
• After two buffings, use pad only on older or lighter colored cars
• After two buffings, use pad only for cutting
• After buffing conventional paint, closely inspect fibers before reusing
5. Use new pad on softer finishes prone to swirls
• Dark colors
• New clearcoats (especially luxury imports)
Foam Pads
1. Clean pad regularly with foam pad cleaning brush
2 - 5. Same as above
Cleaning:
Wool Pads
1. Wash after every usage, as soon after use as possible
2. Presoak for 15 minutes by lightly spraying properly diluted general purpose cleaner
3. Wash in washer (should get 6 - 8 washings):
• Use cold or warm water (not hot)
• Use laundry detergent or properly diluted general purpose cleaner
4. Wash with pressure washer (should get 6 - 8 washings):
• Apply properly diluted general purpose cleaner
5. Hang to dry (do not dry in dryer!)
• Fluff fibers while still damp by spinning on buffer
Foam Pads
1. Wash in washer in cold or warm water or hand wash
2. Hang to dry
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