Cleaning Lambswool Bonnets

[richardbrennan]

Having just dug out my polishing gear in preparation for the annual spruce up, I have discovered that most of them have fairly thick layers of compounding material and polish clinging to them. In the past I have tried cleaning them by soaking in warm soapy water and rubbing by hand, but with fairly limited success. Is there a better method of which I am unaware?

 

[salar]

I use the Buy Another Bonnet method. More seriously, you shouldn't have compounding material on the bonnet if you have been using graduated sponges for compounding. Lambswool is only used for final polishing after all else is applied, rubbed and the polish layer dried.

 

[richardbrennan]

I use 3M products and the recommendation for compounding is their white lambswool bonnet, and they recommend the yellow lambswool bonnet for polishing.

 

[garvellachs]

A good long soak in warm soapy water is needed? Knead occasionally with fingers. Best done when the compound is still damp - it seems to set like concrete eventually?

 

[Alpha22]

I borrowed a polisher and lambswool bonnets this year for the spruce up... I used 3M products.

I tried soaking them in a sink and it would not shift it. I phoned the chap I borrowed it from and he told me to toss it in the washing machine with a normal dose of whatever tablet we normally use.

I thought it would kill the pads, but they came out like new!!!! They were Makita velcro pads.

 

[forelle541]

+1

 

[richardbrennan]

Unfortunately I am at the "set like concrete" stage. I am a bit confused with the reference to tablets and washing machines; it's not my department, but I think we put powder in the washing machine and tablets in the dishwasher. Either way I do not see SWMBO letting me near her beloved Mieles!

I did wonder if soaking them in paraffin might help?

 

[Marine Reflections]

Having just dug out my polishing gear in preparation for the annual spruce up, I have discovered that most of them have fairly thick layers of compounding material and polish clinging to them. In the past I have tried cleaning them by soaking in warm soapy water and rubbing by hand, but with fairly limited success. Is there a better method of which I am unaware?

Hi Richard,
There are a few ways to clean them, but just to mention you shouldn't allow them to clog too much, it's a sure sign you are either applying too much product or working for too long before cleaning the pad. It's no easy thing to stop a wool pad from clogging, takes a fair amount of practice, so hope you don't think I'm being over critical, just trying to help.

With the double sided wool pads you can pass an area, then turn the pad over to a fresh side allowing the side with product on to dry. By the time you have turned it around again you can spur off the dried product.
The spur is simply a tool that you hold against the spinning pad, it spins also but the teeth comb the wool along with removing any dried product.

You can also make something that works almost as well as a spur by folding over some strong plastic packaging straps.
Fold them into a loop and press the loop onto the spinning pad. It won't condition the pad as the spur will, but it will remove most dry product.

IMHO, I would avoid the washing machine if you want to look after the pads properly, I've found they are never the same once machine washed.
Hand wash only I'm afraid, treat them as you would a pure wool item of clothing.
Luke warm water, no detergent. The dried product will seem water resistant, but will yield.

There are also specific pad washers, but I've not found the need for one, make of that what you will.

Another reason why all the old wax needs to be removed from the gel coat prior to polishing, the wax makes it very hard for the water to get to the wool when washing.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I do such operations while she is out. Halyard washing and the like. Incidentally, I have found that washing paint rollers in the machine brings them up like new (water based paint only and definately not anti foul). I don't use polishing bonnets but would think it would be successful but would need a pre-wash soak if the stuff has hardened.

Unfortunately I am at the "set like concrete" stage. I am a bit confused with the reference to tablets and washing machines; it's not my department, but I think we put powder in the washing machine and tablets in the dishwasher. Either way I do not see SWMBO letting me near her beloved Mieles!

I did wonder if soaking them in paraffin might help?

 

[richardbrennan]

Thanks Marine Reflections; I do use a spur but eventually I do get a build up of product. I'll follow your advice and try washing them again.

 

[nigelmercier]

... you shouldn't have compounding material on the bonnet if you have been using graduated sponges for compounding. Lambswool is only used for final polishing after all else is applied, rubbed and the polish layer dried.

Quite so.

 

[Corribee Boy]

So why is the 3m white bonnet labelled 'compounding'?

 

[Marine Reflections]

I can assure you that Richard has it right, lambswool is used for compounding.
3M 'pads' are white for compounding and yellow for polishing, both are lambswool.

The confusion is in the term 'bonnet', I'm certain that he meant 'pad'.

A bonnet is something that usually comes as stock with some polishers and is tied onto another pad.

These tie on bonnets are ridiculous and serve no purpose in the correctional process. As soon as I open the box of a new polisher, the complimentary 'bonnet' is thrown into the bin. Perhaps if I had a cat then it might make a good jacket for it, but that's about it.

I'm pretty sure Richard was referring to the 100% lambswool twist of 3M pads, these are industry standard and are the most effective method of correction on gel coat.
If you are using foam pads to do the same job as the above, you should try switching over to lambswool as the difference is chalk and cheese.

 

[D&T]

I have also had some difficulty in removing all traces of polish etc and had to resort to washing up liquid whilst hand washing. I have been using Meguiars products and I have been they may contain silicone, which can cause this problem. Maybe someone is able to confirm this. It would also be good to know what products people think best.