Cleaning Griots Orbital Pads

[FC]

Trying to give the V70R a full detail for the first time.

I tried cleaning the polishing pads as best as I could with water last time I used them (over a year ago). When they were wet they seemed clean. But when they dried they dried with a thin whitish film.

Are they clean enough to use again, or should hey be immaculate? If so, is there a safe way to use clothes detergent, or dish soap to help get this remaining stuff off?

Thanks!

[John V]

Don't they supply a powdered cleaning agent that is to be used for cleaning them (add to water and soak)? My buddy has a set of polishing / waxing pads and it was supplied with them.

[FC]

Nope. I didn't get that. And I bought a 3-pack of polishing and waxing pads.

[bren]

You need one of these:

http://www.prevettes.com/uploads/200802091141320.Pad%20Cleaning%20Tool%20TB%20SP.jp g

http://www.automagic.biz/images/6-stages-manual/Compounding/spurCPad.jpg

Or maybe just turn it on really slowly and hold it against an edge on a workbench or something to rub off the crusty stuff.

[John V]

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/how-to-clean-buffer-pads.html

[dan]

just buy new ones (but don't waste your money on Griot pads)

[Rob]

Griot's polishing products are water soluble. (soluable? whatever.) Soak it and you will be fine. I have never done anything more than put them in water and squeeze them out until the water is clean. I do replace them every so often. When they start to get old enough to not come clean, they still work (but I only use them on other people's cars that aren't taken care of very well). I think the pads are not very expensive to replace though. $10 or so if I remember correctly.

[Nick M3]

As long as you're consistent with the product you're using with them, a thing whitish film is no problem. If you're mixing compound with polishes, etc., then you need to keep them properly clean.

[FC]

Turns out, one of my polishing pads was perfectly clean. Since I was only going to use machine polish 3, one was all I needed.

I did ruin a wax pad by being a moron and forgetting I had touched up a corner of the Volvo, consequently getting a small amount of silver pain on it. While faint, it is still contaminated enough fo rme to want to ditch it. I had two other new ones, so no big deal.