applicator pad question?

[therdrman]

i was wondering if this is a big deal? if i use my applicator and i wash by hand after wards and dry by hand. if there is a stain left on the pad from the product will that mess with the next product that will be used on it?

so just wondering if there is a clean pad but a stain on it? if thats trouble?

[ffboy]

Re: applicator pad question?

HI, i have a couple of applicators which i use for specific products strictly regardless of how clean it is, ex. i don't use my applicator that i used for swirlX to apply car wax even if i cleaned the applicator thoroughly, and vice versa. In my experience, its really difficult at best to remove the stain (particularly the left over wax) from the applicators. As a matter of fact, my yellow foam pads have this left over wax drom previous applications but the bulk of the wax/dirt/stain is gone. So what i'm left with is a pad that is clean but a bit "discoloured" due to use. It feels almost identical to to a fresh pad, so i reuse it. Did it affect how the wax in any sort of way? Nope! What will mess up the wax or polish or compound or whatever product is the dirt/grime/dust that's been trapped in the applicator or using different products with one applicator

[therdrman]

Re: applicator pad question?

yeah because i used wax and it changed it. i used swirl x on another but it came off now that it is clean i will use other products on it. i have only 4 of em so yeah. thanks man

[ffboy]

Re: applicator pad question?

That is my advice. Use applicator pad or set of pads for specific products/brands. I would also have microfiber towels for specific products or uses. Again as an example, i use a different microfiber/towel for removing paint cleaners, another for removing glazes, another for waxes.. Why? i'm paranoid! i'm afraid that the the dried haze picked up by the towel might affect the wax..

[ffboy]

Re: applicator pad question?

Exactly the same thing i experienced! Swirl X and NXT 2.0! With swirlX, even if i totally soiled up (or built up swirlX) the yellow applicator pad, hand washing it brought back the color of the applicator to like new. With the NXt, yup.. discolored a bit, wight around the edges. NOw my yellow NXT pads have a whitish color on on it.

It could be due to the composition of the products that affect the "cleanability" of the pads. The swirlX is a lot more powdery-dry feel, so it sticks less to the pad. The waxes have a slightly tacky-powdery feel to it, maybe due to the polishing oils or solvents or glossifiers, but it does give a tacky edge vs. the swirlx. THe tacky feel makes it more difficult to remove from the pads, from what I observed. At least in the meguiars product line.

[therdrman]

Re: applicator pad question?

i see well i need more appies and micro fibers so sounds good

[ffboy]

Re: applicator pad question?

a bit costly, but its worth it in the end.. Especially if one wants the best results. Good thing these applicators don't cost too much!

[rapport25]

Re: applicator pad question?

I always make a mark on the back of my applicator pads.With a black perm marker. 1 dot for compound 2 dots for polish 3 dots for wax.

[ffboy]

Re: applicator pad question?

Thats the nice thing about some meguiars products.. Like the NXT, Gold class, and ultimate wax. They all have applicators, all with different colors. You know which applicator is for what wax!