Applicator pads and microfibre cloths

[uk dave]

When i started polishing an waxing i used to use the sponge applicators for everything(meguiars)Came about totally by accident really that i started using microfibre pads.
90% of the stuff i used to buy i bought from Ron at http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/exterior-c-21.html and ron tends to throw ya in some freebies with ya order so anyway one day my order turns up with one of these in with it.......













So anyway tried it an thought thats loads better/easier than a sponge applicator and it did go on alot more evenly,were only after i found out about the benefits of a more abrasive ie microfibre applicator agitating the polish more than a sponge one.Tried the round microfibre applicators aswell but if im totally honest prefer these type better you cover more ground on ya car quicker aswell.


I find that exact style in the pic the best as there`s loads of variations but those seem to have a firmer sponge inside hence more pressures applied to the finish than a few others ive tried.


These german sponge pads below are very popular but ive never felt the need to try one,Quite happy using the above though if anyone tries one let me know how you go on


Like i say for the sealant/wax i always use meguiars sponge applicators that are pretty much available everywhere, though for those ppl who`s been living in a bunker somewhere i`ll post a pic anyway







On to the microfibre cloths,i generally pay about £3-£4 each for these though try an buy a bundle when offers are on wherever, its alot better value.

If you only have a couple sometimes after 1 coat of something you`ve used a couple up,if ya think ya could get quite into this detailing lark buy about 5 or 6-you will use them all on a day when youre going through from polish to wax.Sometimes you`ll see bundles of 5 or 6 for £10 or £11 ive still got cloths that are in perfect condition from about 5yr ago so although they may seem expensive for what they are will last ages if washed after theyve been used.


I always use the cloth i started buffing the polish off for just the polish that day,even if its not clogged up i always keep that/them for the polish then onto sealant-clean microfibre cloth/glaze-clean cloth/wax clean-cloth ya dont want residue off youre cloth going bk onto the car on top of another product-especially if its dried on the cloth as it will mark your car.


I usually stick with the deep pile one side shorter pile the other type microfibres-any that look like this are fine just dont go too large i find the larger ones a pain and they get in your way a bit.
Mine are mainly poorboys/cobra ones though using the einszett metallic polishwax the otherday found an older autoglym microfibre cloth and that worked better with that product.



Regardless of price/colour if they look like that they`ll be fine,i find the ones with the shorter less plush pile on each side a waste of time as they load up with wax too quick.
I tend to start with the plush side to get the majority off,then turn over to get whats left off then after with a clean cloth use the plush side to go over and make sure ive not missed any or theres any dust left over though will only be minimal if any at all,and then finish around edges/doorshuts etc.


Just letting ppl know the way i use stuff youre quite welcome to try other ways however my routines/stuff i use work for me.

A few links

http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/exterior-...e-c-21_32.html


http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf...ths/cat_5.html


http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=64


http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/index...ewCat&catId=13


http://autoperfectionworld.co.uk/cat...146f722bb48ece



http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/20.htm

[rikimaru]

Great post.

I actually ordered a few microfibre applicators with my Blackfire as their site recommends using them for the polish. I was anyway using microfibre cloths to apply the polish, but tbh the pads look easier to use for application. My cloths are only short pile though I'm afraid, but at $30 for 36 I can afford to use a few at a time for application and buffing out. They're pretty big so cut them in half and usually use a couple of cloths or 4 halves each time I wash the car. Usually just bin them after that.

So for the sealant you reckon a sponge like i would use with a wax?

Sorry, another question. I only ever use applicator sponges once then chuck them, what do you do? Are they cleanable? If so what with?

[uk dave]

To be honest wayne i wash the sponge applicators out with fairy liquid-some products totally come out of the sponge but with blackfire i think without using something strong that would destroy the sponge its impossible-wash it out the best ya can then let it dry but i always keep the same applicator/s for stuff that i cant totally get out-if the products still apparent on the surface of the applicator throw em they`ll just mark the finish however if it still looks/feels ok you`ll be fine-with the blackfire its more of a wax that ya cant get out aint like its a hard dried polish so is fine.

Im yet to try anything like this http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/wolfgang-...tor-p-193.html even though for polisher pads does same job.

If the microfibre cloths are heavily clogged from a glaze for instance will wash out in a bucket by hand then chuck in washing machine after.

[stiimpreza1984]

v good info