Abstract

An air-assisted tool for mechanically cleaning a rotary driveable buffing pad or the like comprises a hollow body portion to which a series of mutually spaced, externally toothed cleaning spurs are rotatably secured. The tool has an air inlet fitting connectable to a high pressure air supply hose to flow pressurized air through the tool body, and an outlet passage for discharging the air at a point adjacent the spur members. To use the tool, an operator grasps the tool body, places the cleaning spurs on the buffing pad during driven rotation thereof, and laterally moves the spurs radially inwardly and outwardly along the operative side of the rotating pad. The spurs are rapidly rotated by the moving pad and function to circumferentially rake the rotating pad to dislodge therefrom hardened cleaning material or the like adhering thereto from a previous use of the pad. The hardened material dislodgement action of the spurs is augmented by the discharged high pressure air continuously striking the pad area being raked and functioning to dislodge hardened material which might otherwise still adhere to the rotating pad.