Hydrophobic Pads Explained: They Drink Oil, Not Water
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Rainy day? Car wash? Puddle ambush? Hydrophobic pads are picky drinkers. They repel water but soak oil—so your pad saves its capacity for the drips that matter.
Hydrophobic vs. Hydrophilic
- Hydrophobic: Repels water. Think water beading and rolling off.
- Oleophilic: Attracts oil. The pad fibers love oil and hold it securely.
Real-World Benefits
- Capacity where it counts: Each pad holds nearly a quart of oil.
- No false alarms: Water won’t “fill” the pad.
- Cleaner disposal: Less mixed liquid means tidier waste handling (check local rules).
How to Check Pad Saturation
- Visual darkening lines across the pad
- Light finger check with gloves (look for tackiness)
- Tie pad checks to oil change intervals
Responsible Disposal
- Follow local regulations (municipal or state)
- Bag and tag as oil-affected waste if required