How to clean a polishing pad?

[Colleton]

My Black/Black '13 GT500 had some noticeable swirls on it when I picked it up from the dealership last month, and today I decided to do something about it.

I have a Meguiar's dual action polisher and a variety of pads and compounds. I used one of their "soft buff" polishing pads and their "ultra finishing polish" to polish out the swirls. I just did the upper surfaces that show swirls - hood, trunk and the upper part of the doors and quarter panels. Pretty sure I got the swirls out, but I'll need a bright sunny day to know for sure.

Now, my question... What do I do with the polishing pad? Are they throw away after single use or can I wash them somehow. Hand wash won't get everything out, can I throw it in the washing machine? I just don't want to leave anything it it that would scratch the next time I use it. For now it's in a zip lock bag so it doesn't dry out.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[crazycarlo]

They make cleaning solution for the pads. They are reusable.

 

[Colleton]

OK thanks, I'll look around.

 

[crazycarlo]

Lethal performance may have it or Autogeek.com has it.

 

[c6zhombre]

i use this xmt product from autogeek. you spray the pad, let it sit a few minutes..even in a bucket of water then throw in the washing machine for 1 cycle. don't use any other laundry wash products that might leave a residue. don't machine dry it either...just hook it back to the polishing machine and spin dry. store away in a plastic bag for the next time :rockon:

XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner by Pinnacle For your dual action or rotary polisher.

 

[Bruha]

I use a citrus solution from detailed image. It breaks the compound down. Then just rinse and let dry. Good to go.

 

[Sonic blue]

Use a stiff detail (toothbrush) to clean the excess buildup off of foam pads, spin it full blast with the brush bristles in contact with it. Or use purple power de-greaser to fully clean the pad. Spray on, rinse, install on buffer and sling off the excess water.

 

[T0RCH3D]

Some of the methods above are good. They sell a bunch of pad cleaners and rejuvinators that all vary. You can't go wrong, just do some research beforehand.

 

[gamatt]

Dawn Power Dissolver works well. It's in the cleaner section of Walmart. Spray it on, let it sit for a minute and all the residue rinses right out.

 

[dom418]

I guess I'm old fashioned. I don't waste my money on pad cleaners. I use warm water and dawn and my pads last for a long time. Key is to clean your pads right after they are used while the product is still wet.

 

[Bruha]

I was told dawn breaks the pads down.

 

[dom418]

Yeah I haven't had any problems using dawn and lake country pads

 

[fast ford brian]

Me neither and I have been hand washing this set for over 3 years .