Proper care of wax applicators

For years, my dad has always said that you don't ever need to clean a wax applicator after you use it, just keep it sealed in a bag when you're done with it. And for years, I listened to him. Then I found this site, and realized that's probably not what I should be doing. So...how do you care for your wax applicators after you use them? I have one from Zymol that I use with their liquid wax and one from Megs that I use with their Gold Class (I don't wax many other cars than my own). And that's another thing...can I do the entire car with one applicator, or should I use several?

Thanks!

Clark

 

The vehicle should be clean enough before waxing that only one applicator should be needed. If it's getting dirty, you need to clean the surface better.

I've always washed out my apps after using them.

 

+1...

 

Thanks! How do you wash them, and what do you wash them with?

I only wax my car right after I've washed it, so my applicators stay clean...just figured I'd ask.

 

I dilute some apc in water and let them soak then send them through the wash without any rags that are for drying

 

i normally just put a line of dawn dish soap on it then wash by hand. I make sure it rinses clean, then wring it out while rolled up in a paper towel.

 

You can use APC to clean wax pads. My go to product is Pinnacle Pad Cleaner, stuff is great! Use it to clean all my polishing pads and wax applicators. Few spritz on a pad, massage in and rinse and get rid of pretty much any residue.

 

I personally don't clean my foam applicators, and just put them in plastic baggie. Once the applicator goes bunk, I use it for dressing tires.

But it sounds like I am wasting applicators!

 

After waxing or whatever, I pre-wash my applicators in the sink with an APC and some Palm Olive dish soap, and then I'll toss them in the wash.

My applicators get cleaned after every use because I use whatever applicator I feel like with whatever wax/sealant/etc. I feel like, but I will not cross-contaminate my applicators.

If I can't get an applicator totally clean, it goes straight to the garbage. Even if I'm not sure that the applicator is totally clean, it will go to garbage.

 

I find a clean foam applicator is easier to apply product thinly so I wash them after every use. Usually I will soak the applicator overnight with detergent before I start cleaning them with a wash board. Those applicator used with colli 476 will need more soaking time..

 

I've soaked my Meguiars #16 applicator overnight in APC and hot water and I still can't get it 100% clean, bluish tint in the foam where the wax used to be.

 

Applicator Care

Most car care products contain polymer or oils that serve as surface lubricants. Even if you rinse the applicator immediately after using it, the oily residue remains because oil and water are not miscible. To properly clean the micro fibre or foam applicator pads, you need to use a fairly strong cleaner that contains a degreaser, especially for applicators that have been used for wax or sealant application as they are formulated to be detergent resistant (P21S Total Auto Wash or Optimum power clean).

 

I might try a stronger APC solution then, currently using Autoglym Powermax2

 

It only takes me one applicator to use when doing a vehicle unless I accidentally drop it on the ground. As far as cleaning them goes, I just let the applicators sit in some Dawn mixed with warm water and then agitate them by hand.

 

Thanks! I'm cheap, so I'll probably just use Dawn to clean my applicators, and its what I've got on hand as well.

 

Yes, otherwise you'll end up spending more on time and materials to clean your apps versus what the app was worth in the first place.

 

P1et the voice of reason. We should not lose sight of the costs involved, however OCD (that would be me) we are

 

will the Micro Restore microfibre Detergent work on the pads?

 

White Vinegar - will break down almost any lubricant. On my pads with Jetseal 109, even that takes some time to work it in, then rinse em out. Sometimes I have to soak them in Dawn dishdetergent, then vinegar - rinse and rub out all excess, good as new.

I see a lot of ppl throwing them in the wash, but I would think this would prematurely destroy foam??

 

I soak mine- the stuff that would dry to something hardened in warm apc/water and rinse - perfect. I use optiseal and I find that it stays clean and I just store that in its own clean ziplock. I found Duragloss 105 difficult as hell to clean out of applicators. I think that says alot to the protection it can provide