What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

[Shack]

This is probably posted here amongst the thousands of great articles and questions and what not... However - when using hand applicators, what's the difference between cotton/terry cloth, microfiber, and foam? Does one work better than the others? Are there certain ones to stay away from (since I have a black car that somehow mysteriously creates its own swirlmarks and microscratches when it sits by itself in the garage). Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

I go with Meguiars foam applicator pad.
The main purpose of the pad is to evenly distribute the product. As you know microfiber absorbs the product wich i think is NOT COOL! so i rather using The foam pads.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

In order of most to least aggressive:

Terry cloth
Microfiber
Meguiar's Soft Foam Applicator

What does this really mean though? When using any product to correct paint defects (typically a liquid paint cleaner) there are a few things that can impact how much cutting ability you get out of it. The liquid itself (obviously) but also the tool of choice (rotary, D/A, hand), what speed that tool is used at, how much pressure is applied, how large of a work area you cover, what pad is used (wool cutting, foam cutting/polishing/finishing, or in the case of hand application, terry cloth, microfiber or foam). Combine all of these in varying degrees and you change the total cut of any product.

Some of these applicators are not compatible with certain tools, such as you wouldn't use a wool cutting pad on a D/A, that's a rotary only pad, primarily because it's so aggressive that it will haze, swirl or otherwise mar the paint when used that way.

A similar situation arises when comparing the three possible applicators for hand use. Terry cloth can be so aggressive that, while offering more cutting ability, it tends to micromar or haze clear coat paint. It can be a huge benefit when trying to remove heavy oxidation from older single stage paint, but when used vigorously to remove even minor defects from a clear coat paint it usually ends up giving a less than perfect finish. We often hear from people, especially those with black cars, complaining that one our paint cleaners (usually ScratchX 2.0 just because it's so common) badly hazed their paint. Since we know that there is nothing in ScratchX 2.0 that can do this, we automatically go to the applicator. And it's almost always terry cloth. When we instruct the user to go over the same area with the same ScratchX 2.0 but with a foam applicator pad, the haze goes away and the surface is once again clear and glossy.

You're working on a black car that we're assuming is in pretty decent shape overall. Do yourself a favor and stick with the foam pad for applying things like ScratchX 2.0, SwirlX or Ultimate Compound. The foam pad will let the product alone do the work and keep the paint from getting marred. It's going to be the safest tool when applying products by hand.

Microfiber is a close second, but even very scratch sensitive paint can be marred or hazed by microfiber. Remember, we're talking about fairly vigorous application of a paint cleaner here, not the simple wiping off of a dried wax. In that case microfiber is going to be your towel of choice, especially on sensitive paint. The act of wiping off a dry wax is nowhere near as intense as working a paint cleaner against the paint in order to remove defects, and it's that vigorous use of the tool that changes things.

[Shack]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

As always - a thorough well rounded reply with GREAT info. Thanks Mike. Ryan, thanks for the input as well.

[Shawn T.]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

I always use a foam appplicator as it will leave behind the best finish.

[Malo83]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

I always use a foam appplicator as it will leave behind the best finish.

X2

[blankkoozies]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

This is probably posted here amongst the thousands of great articles and questions and what not... However - when using hand applicators, what's the difference between cotton/terry cloth, microfiber, and foam? Does one work better than the others? Are there certain ones to stay away from (since I have a black car that somehow mysteriously creates its own swirlmarks and microscratches when it sits by itself in the garage). Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

I have the same question as you mentioned in the post that when using hand applicators, what's the difference between cotton/terry cloth, microfiber, and foam? Does one work better than the others? Are there certain ones to stay away from

[akimel]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

I have the same question as you mentioned in the post that when using hand applicators, what's the difference between cotton/terry cloth, microfiber, and foam? Does one work better than the others? Are there certain ones to stay away from

See #3 above.

I have a black car with soft paint. All microfiber applicators I have used mar my paint. I ALWAYS use foam applicators. Unfortunately, they are not readily available at local stores (though I hear they can sometimes be found at marine supply stores). Whenever I place an order from internet re-sellers, I always buy some foam applicators. You can't have too many of them!

[Jossy92]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

I think I am starting to "get it". So, If I am working a single stage = terry pad
White paint = foam or microfiber or terry; Black = foam.

And if I want something safer than foam for old cc, I'd could use M7 with a m/f or terry?

Maybe I don't get it. But, great post by Mike and feedback by Akimel.

[Joenok]

Re: What type of applicator pad to use... by hand?

I use the foam applicator for paint, and even-coat applicator for interior and leather