best applicater for hot shine gel?***

[funkdoktor]

been cutting up foam that they sell at the local hardware store into rectangle applicaters. its not giving me the shine that i get with the hot shine aerosol spray. don't know if its the applicater that im using or my technique. i apply 2 thin coats after 15 minute intervals and still not as wet looking as the spray. what do you guys/girls use to apply?

thanks and aloha

[MaxImage]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

Hey funk, are you in Hawaii? Most of us use concave, sponges like these:



Also, the more passes you make over an already applied area removes the slightest bit of dressing, making your finish less glossy and more satin-like. But since you're using two coats, try using one thick coat without running the applicator over the areas that you've already dressed. Being careful not to use too much product as it will sling off onto the body panels when you drive your car. Let us know how this works.

[jdavino49]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

[rebelde33]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

^^^ How long would one of those applicators last?

[BlueZero]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

Back when I used gel tire dressing, my preferred method of application was a 1" paint brush. Not the foam brush but a brush one. Now that I use ASD on my tires I use the concave foam applicator like MaxImage mentioned. My applicator has lasted me for all of last year. It's not really worn out now, it's just pretty messy to handle. I picked up some with plastic handled ones over the winter, so that should cut down on the mess on my hands. I always clean my tires before I dress them so I would think the applicator should last a long time.

[Raymond]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

Those foam applicators with the yellow handles work well but never lasted me long. I was using Eagle1 branded ones and they always fell apart quickly.

I found the same foam type of applicator on sale at AutoZone (they had a bucket full of them for $3 a piece), but it had a thick plastic handle instead of the yellow foam. I've been using it for a few months now on various cars and at least twice a week between our two Mustangs... still holding up strong!

[MaxImage]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

^^^ How long would one of those applicators last?

It depends. I have one that I've been using for over a year and a half, with regular usage on the average of 6 times (read, cars) per week. It's a little beat up, but it still gets the job done effectively. It really just depends on:

1) How textured the tire(s) that you are working on are
2) How large the surface area of the tires are (low profile vs. monster truck tires)
3) How often you are using your applicator. A professional detailer would use their applicator numerous times a week, versus a weekend detailer who would use theirs at most twice a week.
4) what is in the particular dressing that you are using that will degrade the foam (usually a variable that we are unable to predict)


So it just depends, but they last a pretty long time. And they're relatively inexpensive, so if you buy a 3 or 4, you should be set for quite awhile.

BlueZero, I've never tried using a paintbrush with gel dressings. I've only used them with liquid (solvent based) dressings. I would think that the gel would not melt fast enough, and in turn, get stuck between the bristles of the brush thus rendering application of the gel ineffective or non-efficient. What are your experiences with this technique?

[Andy M.]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

Hey guys,

Never used the hot shine gel, but do use endurance high gloss tire gel. I just use an old applicator pad that I wouldn't use on paint anymore. I keep it in a plastic bag and use it just for this purpose. I normally apply tire dressing before I finish the car after drying wheels and tires, and then go back with a small paint brush to make sure there are no puddles sitting in the ridges of the tire that will "sling" while the vehicle is rolling. I like the Hot Shine spray also, but still go back and check for puddles that may "sling" with the paint brush. It only takes a few seconds.

Hope that helps a little,

Andy
101impala

[jjbleds]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

Similar to 101Impala but I use a terry cloth applicator. The kind that has a sponge sewn in between two pieces of terry cloth. I picked it up at Murrays a long time ago, haven't seen any recently. The ones that I have been using (one for Hot Shine and one for Endurance) have lasted me at least 4 years. I keep them in the throw away Tupperware containers that I keep stealing from my wife!

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

I really enjoy these that can be found on ADS; they are at the very bottom of the page:

http://autodetailingsolutions.com/meguiars-microfiber-applicator-pads.htm

They tend to put a real even coat on and rinse out fairly easily. Lasts a long time as well.

[funkdoktor]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

Thanks 4 the responses fellas!

[BlueZero]

Re: best applicater for hot shine gel?***

BlueZero, I've never tried using a paintbrush with gel dressings. I've only used them with liquid (solvent based) dressings. I would think that the gel would not melt fast enough, and in turn, get stuck between the bristles of the brush thus rendering application of the gel ineffective or non-efficient. What are your experiences with this technique?

It's not the same as applying paint with the brush. It doesn't really soak up or hold dressing like it would with paint. It seemed to work alright but I always did get a fairly heavy coat of dressing on the tire, that was fine with me since I would always wipe the excess off anyway. After, I would give the brush a spray of APC and rinse with water. Since trying ASD with a foam applicator I haven't gone back to gel dressing.

Give it a try, you might like it.