exploding pads

[tom t]

a couple of times i have used my da, with great results. this kit http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...ion-polisher-menzerna-intro-kit/prod_720.html

ive some how managed to have to pads explode on me. i must be doing something wrong right? or were they just bad pads?

also with that kit what would be the best mixture to get rid of swirls.

thanks

 

[n_d_fox]

Would probably be best if you described your technique and what you were doing when the pads let go.

I have been machine polishing cars for 4 years now and have never had a pad fail on me yet... i still even have some of the Meguiars pads i started out with !

There is nothing obvious about the kit you bought that would cause this problem. As for best results... the Menzerna polishes are good and reliable. There are options from Meguiars, Scholl, 3M and many others which are all a muchness... Megs, Lake Country, Chemical Guys, 3M and Scholl pads are all very good.

 

[jonjay]

Have to disagree with Nige on this one

Menzerna pads to tend to break up easier than other pads I found. You can have a sound technique but slightest whiff of an edge and they seem to break up to easily. Try Chemical Guys Hex pads or 3M.

 

[jenk]

One of my Menzerna pads has started to rough up badly, disappointing really as it hasn't had much use.

 

[tom t]

it was a while ago it happend havent used it since as need new pads.

both times its happend i was bufing the polish on speed setting 4. could i have had it on that speed to long? to much polish still in the pad?

as i kind of find it hard to tell how far i can spread the polish as i dont want to end up with barely anything on the pad and ruin the paint. obviously used to hand polishing.

also how do i go about washing pads? can they go in a washing machine?

thanks guys

 

[n_d_fox]

Have to disagree with Nige on this one

Menzerna pads to tend to break up easier than other pads I found. You can have a sound technique but slightest whiff of an edge and they seem to break up to easily. Try Chemical Guys Hex pads or 3M.

Fair enough buddy... will admit that i have never used Menzerna pads... i've based all of my kit on what other people have used and gained good results from.

both times its happend i was bufing the polish on speed setting 4. could i have had it on that speed to long? to much polish still in the pad?

as i kind of find it hard to tell how far i can spread the polish as i dont want to end up with barely anything on the pad and ruin the paint. obviously used to hand polishing.

also how do i go about washing pads? can they go in a washing machine?

thanks guys

Speed 4 on a DA machine shouldnt be anywhere near the limit of the pad. As JonJay said it could be that you caught an edge or trim piece which has then damaged the pad and caused it to break down... I havent personally had this with any pads i have used but as i said, i havent used Menzerna pads.

When machine polishing i put 3-4 pea sized spots of product on the pad when spread this at low speed over a 1-2ft square area, once the whole area has product on it i increase the speed. with a DA this would be speed 5 and with my rotary speed 3, this is plenty to work the product into the paint giving the desired effects. Using more product than this on thayt size of an area is a waste of product, trying to spread it further than that is imo pushing it too thinly to be effective.

Washing them is easy. Once they are used put them in a bucket with a strong washing up liquid / water dilution. Leave them to soak in that for at least a couple of hours to start breaking down the product in the pad(s). Then just wash them on a cool (30deg) wash setting with just washing powder or liquid (no conditioner). once that cycle is finished do an extra rinse n spin then your sorted. Dry them on the radiators or however you want.