1-Pad Finishing System | Lake Country Manufacturing Is anyone actually using the 1 pad system ... If anybody is using this new pad system could you do a quick review on likes and dislikes ? thanks Howard
I think Sam is referring to the concept. If the pads were a couple bucks each, I could maybe see it. The pads are too expensive to use and then throw out.
^June if it saves a bunch of time it may be worth it.. From my little experience I did not find it an easy or simple process to clean a used pad. it's not easy to clean a used pad ... i soaked my pads in some fancy solution let it soak for a good couple of hours , ringed it out after a light brushing and it still feels like there is old product clinging to the pad. Time is lost ... If i did another pass it would be better but i'm not sure if you can ever clean all the product out of a used pad.. anyone else think the same ? I looked at cost and it would be cheaper to used a contaminated pad with the right product to produce a brilliant shine ..
I thought the same thing Ken. I thought they were going to be 4-5 bucks each. Even at 5 bucks each, I would have definitively consider spending a couple of more bucks on a B&S pad.
What I think is interesting silence of some many pro's/ The fact there is so little discussion seems to say a lot. I can think of a few vocal opinionated detailers would should have said something since there is a core set that to get test stuff out for LC, Meguairs. etc.
How long after you use them are you cleaning them? Best way is to have a bucket with a water and some APC in it ready to go BEFORE you start polishing. As you finish with a pad, toss it in the bucket. I have pads here that are two years old that look like they've never been used. After I finish polishing, I use APC (3:1) to thoroughly spray the pads, let them soak for 5-10 minutes and then massage under warm water. They always come out spotless with the exception of the time I used Optimum Spray Polish. Couldn't get the stain out. :shead:
I use LC pads, like the orange, white, love the gold for applying BFWD. I use M105, and Menzerna polishes and I never had any issues cleaning. I use to do Dawn Power Desolver - spray, scrub with an old tooth brush while running hot water over the pad. Later, I learned that a good APC (I use Majestic Solutions Super Green 1:1) spray, brush, rinse with the hose, squeeze out the water and let air dry. Megs 105 and Menzerna clean right out, BFWD - FORGET IT, God only knows what would take that out of a foam pad, I have one just for BFWD and wipe it down with a paper towel after using. I get dozens of uses out of my pads, it would be silly to pad 5-6 bucks to use and toss. Maybe the Body Shop guys think this is a good idea and just add it into your repair bill. And while I'm on a roll, LC really sucked with the first Hydro pads, the thick ones, anybody besides me have them rip apart on a PC after 10-15 minutes? Then they come out with the thin ones the correct the problem. I guess R&D dollars were short on that one - like marketing bucks are one the 1 shot pads. IMHO - I wish LC would just make nice flat pads in a few popular sizes, forget that CCS and Kompressor crap . And Like Bunky mentioned - there hasn't been one of the elite detailers that usually posts on the cutting edge latest and greatest, say anything about this. Que the crickets!
Your product choice plays a big part on how easy it is to maintain your pads. M105 washes out easily and so do all of my Prima products except for the polymer based products like Prima Epic and Prima Amigo. These require more work although I'm working on a cleaner that simplifies this process greatly. I only use flat LC pads unless I'm using the smaller pads where I don't have that option. Sometimes you have to consider that from a manufacturers stand point, if you can convince the public that cutting up a pad into grids produces less heat or splatter is beneficial, then the drawbacks of lower durability, being more difficult to clean, will lead to more sales! Richard
@ June i've had LC pads come apart too.. the sticky part gets so stuck on the the backing plate that when i try and pull it off its splits in two... @ Good question and maybe the problem lies there... i have waited as long as two days to clean it out ! Opps!!! But on the other hand the pads were still moist with product ... thx, Hp
I'd love to see a detailer see these as a wise investment 20 bucks for 3 pads. I'm not a pro and even I change out at least 3-4 pads per stage, and that's not counting the multiple 4"s I use for tight spots factor in a multiple stage polish and you're looking at 60-80 bucks easy in throw away pads like I said I don't get it re cleaning, I'm with Ken, as soon as the pad clogs I'll toss it in my wash bucket and let it soak while I grab a new pad and continue with the correction
I think its really slow coming to market.. basically buy the starter kit and try a few... I'm sure LC will bring the price down in a bit ..
I agree with everything here. I buy more pads so I dont have to clean them while working. Ill let them soak for a day in diluted APC (the ratio changes depending on what I was using) , and often I dont need to use an APC and agitation again to clean them out. On top of that, throwing away a pad after 1 use is highly wasteful and unnecessary. I dont know about others, but I still use different polishes. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get the right combination. Under my system, I just throw the contaminated pad in the bucket. Under this new system Id have a few brand new pads thrown away before I found the right combination? If Im understanding this system correctly, then Im really uninterested.
Thx Dubin.. i'll do that .. i also think i'm putting way to much product on the pad where at the end of the polishing there is more product wasted on the pad than i used to polish thecar..
In that respect your right about finding the right pad / polish combo to get the best results .... i've been lazy sometimes and mix different polish on the same pad.. and i get some really good results too..
