I could have sworn that I read on here that someone mentioned cleaning up their response pads to make them catch better. I think they either said to just lightly clean them with rubbing alcohol or maybe it was lightly brush them with thin lube? I’m trying to find where I read this and what method is best but I can’t find any info on it. Did I just dream this up or is this a thing? I have no problem replacing them when necessary but if I can squeeze a bit more life into them, I would definitely go for that approach first (I can be frugal and lazy at times). I think even water might work. My daughter has these rubber balls that stick to the wall, as soon as they stop sticking, I just run water on them, let them dry and they are like new again.
So, am I trippin’ or is there a known method to rejuvenate your response pads?
For me personally, as far a setup goes , when I’m trying to get the setup dialed in on any yo-yo, the response is usually the last thing I’ll think about changing. Definitely a last resort. I’ve found that finding the right string has been able to solve the vast majority of response issues.
But if you’re the type of person who only likes to use one type of string, then I guess you’d change the response first.
If you already had the perfect size string and the response is literally worn away from too much play and it’s now too slippy with the same string it was perfect with before. Then just swap out the pads, get thicker string or silicon ur own. I’ve personally never heard of sprucing up old pads. But it doesn’t sound that far fetched
Nah I’ve never heard of anything like this. Both isopropyl alcohol and lube on the pads is a bad idea and will mess with the adhesive back on the response pads and likely make them fall out.
What about water? Maybe it was a dream. I dream about weird things from time to time.
None of them are older than 10 months. I started Jan 2024 but I have noticed that some are getting slippy. I’ve only changed out response pads 2 times. Once because the pads were falling out and the other one I took off the anodization.
Lube on pads is a problem that can sometimes be addressed by wiping them down with alcohol.
In general, wiping away any surface contamination may help extend the life of a pad that is not too far gone due to surface wear, lost adhesion or disintegration.
I don’t think that applying any liquid to them will restore them.
Ummm nah I wouldn’t do that either. Response pads are a consumable and need to be replaced over time. All response pads are not equal also. Softer pads will be more grippy at first but will ware down faster than harder pads. This sounds like normal ware and tare. Heavier or more powerful yo-yos (like bi-metals) will also ware down pads more than lighter and less powerful yoyos. Also doing a lot of regens or just binding a lot will ware down pads faster.
You could try fatter strings or just replace them. If you’re using one Yoyo for all your playing, having to replace pads every month or two totally isn’t unusual.
I have used a very light swabbing of alcohol to clean pads, it does indeed restore some snappiness. As long as you’re not soaking them with the alcohol, the adhesive will not be affected. Just dip a cotton swab in some isopropyl alcohol, give it a small shake to get the excess off, and lightly swab the pads with a twisting motion of the swab to “roll” the dirt/ string lint off. Works a charm
I play until the pads fall out. Exposing them to oils and solvents usually expedites this process so I tend to avoid letting the pads come into contact with anything other than string.
Pads are cheap and last a long time. If they aren’t working the way you want them to, replace them. Hit up Hollywood Modern Yoyos and get a lifetime supply. I got a bunch of Mouse Pads when they were still called ilinx and I’m pretty sure that bag will outlast me.
Did you happen to mention this in another thread? This is exactly what I remember reading somewhere. I have a whole bunch of replacement pads so I don’t see the harm in trying it out. I’m fine replacing them but it takes awhile, I’m not looking to extend the life of the pads dramatically or anything but if I only have an hour to throw, I would rather try this than replace them in that moment and then replace them when I have more time on my hands. It may be that I’m too much of a perfectionist but it takes me a pretty long time to get all the adhesive out when I’m changing pads, I’m just looking for a little hack, even if it only extends the life and brings back the snappiness for an hour or so, I’d call that a win.
I think I may have mentioned it in passing, definitely did not make a separate thread about it tho. Give it a shot! Experimentation is one of the joys of life
Yeah, I think that’s why I may have had trouble finding it. It definitely wasn’t a thread about this, I forget what the thread was about but it was just a quick mention that caught my attention and I meant to make note of it but I totally forgot about it until last night when I was short on time.
Most of my yoyos are older, using Duncan friction stickers, Duncan silicone pads or Dif-e-yo pads. I bought a bunch some time ago. The Duncan pads are expendable. They wear out and should be replaced as needed. Dif pads can be readily rejuvenated with a light alcohol rub. I’ve also done this with newer pads on my Duncan yoyos and some of the last YYJ yoyos. Just a lite cleaning is all they need.
Thanks everyone. I gave it a try myself and sure enough, it definitely helps! If you are short on time and you are having issues with your pads slipping and it feels like it’s time to change them, I highly recommend giving this method a try. It totally put the life back into my pads and it’s lasted for several days now. This is a good hack to have.
Yeah, I can see how this would make a big difference for sure. I am starting to experiment with string, I’m even going to see how I like XL as opposed to fat. On the majority of my throws, I prefer fat and can see on some occasions where fatter would be even better. Sorry, I some how missed this post.
I missed this one as well. I really appreciate the offer, that’s very kind of you. I honestly have more pads than I’ll probably ever use in my lifetime at this point though. I tend to get obsessive with a new hobby that I really enjoy and start buying up everything I think I will need so that I’ll always be set… I have close to 2k strings now, hundreds of pads from difference companies and different styles as well, and I went a little crazy on the bearings too and of course I have way more yoyo’s than any one man needs (although my collection pails in comparison to a lot of the more seasoned throwers on these forums).
This thread was more about saving time, like when you are in the middle of throwing and you are really into the yoyo you’re using, the last thing I want to do is stop to change pads. I’m sure a lot of you are pretty quick at it but the last time I did it I was going at the adhesive very carefully for way too long, lol. I’m also terrible at getting those damn bearing guards off, I don’t even want to admit how long I’ve spent wrestling with those things. I’ve finally found a good method that works for me, “60% of the time, it works every time!” (to rip off Anchor Man).
I’m not sure if it works but I believe I heard that dawn dish soap can rejuvenate pads. No idea if this works and I’m not even positive which forum I read that on.
I just found this site last night. I’ve been listening to the podcast (think it’s defunct now). Man, I wish I would have found this site earlier, he’s got amazing deals on the hardware. I mean, I may still have to buy one of those package deals, I’d be losing money if I didn’t buy the 20 bearings & 120 pads for 85 bones!
