how long can you use applicator pad

[sleepy]

I saw another thread similar to my question,and I did not know if to post this or use the other thread. So here it goes. I am working on a single stage black paint I have washed it clayed it and done a test spot and really like the results. My appicator pad is black from the paint, how long can I continue using it before I changed pads?

[xantonin]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I've heard of people using theirs for years, but then again I don't think they had a single stage paint.

That's a good question, I wonder how SS paint affects their life, or if it only affects their color.

[CieraSL]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I soak my applicators in some water and Greased Lightning Blast degreaser overnight and then rinse them out really good. They come out almost like new! You can find Greased Lightning Blast at Wal-Mart (at least that's where I get mine). Costs a little less than $4 for an almost 68 oz. bottle. You might try that and see if it helps.

[sleepy]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I understand, I wash my pads after every use. I wash them with Dawn dish soap and let them dry in the sun. It works pretty good. What I mean is, I have only started and My appilcator pad is black. Do I, should I continue, with it being so bad?

Just for background info., It was a cheap paint job when my brother in-law got it and it has not been detailed since. My test spots look great, I can hardly wait to show the before and after on MOL!!

[Murr1525]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

If your paint was clear coated, it would have loaded up with clear paint. You just would not have seen it. And then you probably would have used it on the entire car.

There is really no problem of the hand applicator pads becoming saturated like there is with the machine pads. But I usually end up dropping one about half way through, so I end up changing anyway....

[Mike Phillips]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

Theoretically you could use one hand applicator pad to rub out an entire car with one chemical. If you switch to a new chemical, polish or wax etc,), the you would switch to a new applicator pad and dedicate it for the new chemical. In other words, don't cross-contaminate products onto pads.

When working on single stage paints you'll remove a lot of pigmented paint and it will accumulate onto your pad, you can wipe some of this off or wash your pad under running water with a little soap and then squish it a bunch to squish the residue building up on the inside out of it.

Then wrap it up in a couple of paper towels and squeeze it again and this will absorb most of the water out and then you can continue using it.

It's faster to stock up on a half doze to dozen pads and then just switch to a clean, fresh pad as the one you're using gets loaded with removed paint.

For this car here,



I used one applicator pad per product for the entire car.

[ColonelCash]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

Does anyone here mark their foam applicators? I have a set reserved for Collinite (works great, smells of death) and another set for M105 by hand, plus a few other combinations.

Anyone use a Sharpie or something to mark which pads go with each product...or does it not matter once you wash them out?

[xantonin]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I'm going to mark mine. Sounds like a good idea.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I understand, I wash my pads after every use. I wash them with Dawn dish soap and let them dry in the sun.

I thought about drying mine in the sun, but decided against it because I theorized that unless the pads were UV protected, the sun might break down the cell structure of the pad over time, so I air dry them instead. But I have nothing to back this up. Most of my unsubstantiated science theories are stored in a tiny part of my brain, right next to my conspiracy theories

[xantonin]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I thought about drying mine in the sun, but decided against it because I theorized that unless the pads were UV protected, the sun might break down the cell structure of the pad over time, so I air dry them instead. But I have nothing to back this up. Most of my unsubstantiated science theories are stored in a tiny part of my brain, right next to my conspiracy theories

I've seen what the sun can do to things. I'm with you on this one. Direct sun = bad bad bad!

[MyFirstES300]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I mark mine with a sharpie marker and dedicate my pads to product as well.

You think the Collinite smells bad? I use 845 and I do not think it smells bad at all! Colonel, how do you like Sapphire? (Sorry off topic).

[sleepy]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

I've seen what the sun can do to things. I'm with you on this one. Direct sun = bad bad bad!

If direct sunlight is really all that bad, then why do,and did,people dry their clothes on the clothes line if it was all that bad?

[xantonin]

Re: how long can you use applicator pad

If direct sunlight is really all that bad, then why do,and did,people dry their clothes on the clothes line if it was all that bad?

For the wind!