I've been using XMT pad cleaner to clean my buffer pads. I was wondering how long are you guys getting out of your buffer pads before you just replace them?

I get a lot of use out of them. I don't really time how long. Once they start ripping up I quit using them on my paint.

I use one pad per panel and replace them with a fresh / clean one. I being using Snappy Clean on my pads to clean them.

Clean (or replace) you pads frequently

Pads are easy to clean; the slotted pad face actually makes it easy to clean. Do not use the same pad to apply differing products as cross contamination will reduce the effectiveness or completely negate their purpose altogether. A new or freshly cleaned pad must be used with each type of car care product.

A clean or fresh pad will restore the intended abrasive ability, were as a saturated foam pads abrasive ability will decrease (note dried or caked on polish will increase risk of surface scratches) clean often with a soft fairly stiff brush or pad spur (Duospur). It is very important that you keep your working pad clean; as you go over the surface the removed polish and oxidation is being absorbed, which will become large abrasive fragments and will interfere with the cutting ability of the abrasives

1. During the polishing process, trace amounts of paint and / or oxidation is removed; this can cause the debris and the polish to ‘load-up the foam’. This can cause a haze to the paint surface, or the hardened polish could cause scratches, a wipe-down or a paint cleaning product will eliminate this.

2. Use a brush or a Duospur™ to clean the pad after each time you polish a section, as it keeps the pad from accumulating too much polish on the paint surface but the pad remains saturated, avoiding the necessity of adding as much polish as the first panel or two.

3. Clean and / or replace pads as often as is necessary; a clean seasoned pad will enhance the abrasive abilities of the compound / polish and make the process not only more efficient but less time consuming.

4. After using foam pads place in some water with a P21S Total Auto Wash or a microfiber detergent. This keeps your pads moist and begins the cleaning process while you finish detailing. Never allow a used pad to air dry before it is washed.

5. When you are ready to clean them, rinse well, re-wash and leave to air-dry Velcro™ side up to enable the foam to drain and protect the Velcro™

Foam Pad Maintenance / Care
Don’t use the same pad for different products, dedicate a pad for wax, one for polish, one for machine polish, and etc unless they are washed first When working in close proximity to hood ornaments, metal trim etc avoid forcing the pad against them as it may cause the foam to tear.
• Pads must be kept free of dried-on product residue to ensure their flexibility and to ensure that they can maintain complete contact with uneven surfaces.
• Clean residue from pads often with a soft horse hair brush, nylon or metal may damage the foam
• Wash pads after use and air dry them
• Don’t store pads in an airtight container as this causes mould
• Store pads where they can expand unrestricted
• Don’t stack pads where other objects could deform or crease them.
•
When removing the foam pad from the backing plate do not just grab the foam and pull or you may find it separates, hold the Velcro and gently pull the pad to prevent any damage

An extract from “Automotive Detailing, Inside & Out”, a knowledge base for the perfectionist © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved.