Cleaning tire shine applicators

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mbaledge

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Hey guys, I was just curious as to how you clean your tire shine applicators after use? I usually just rinse the heck out of them with water until they come clean, but I can't help but feel like there's a better way to do this. Any ideas?
Feed back please
 
I'd like to know as well. Then again, I use an OTC tire gel that is oil based, so cleaning them is probably pointless. I could see this working for a water based product though.
 
I keep mine in a desinated tupperware container, use them about a week and throw them away
 
use the pinnacle foam applicators, toss monthly.
 
if you apply the tire dressing only after the tire is clean why would you throw it away? the only thing left on the applicator is excess product.
 
Is there a reason to clean them? I use water based dressings only after cleaning the tire and my applicators barely show signs of degredation

I remember before I got into the whole detailing world I used megs hot tire shine, which is silicone based, and it would just eat up the applicators. They wouldnt last more than a few washings and I hardly washed my car back than.
 
I'm currently using DP Gloss tire gel and Cobra flex foam applicators, which I'd rather not throw away after a few uses. Even though the DP gloss is a water based gel, it still cakes my applicators and is stubborn to clean. I apply only a little product at a time to try and prevent this from happening, but it's still mondo yuckage after a few uses.
 
I guess since im using a spray and not a gel, im not getting the same product buildup. If I did have to clean it Id just use some dawn or some mf detergent. MF detergent is great at cleaning foam buffing pads so id assume it would work on tire swipes also
 
I didn't even think of trying that! That would probably work pretty well. Good idea dude!
 
I have a spray bottle mixed with 2oz of mf detergent and the rest water that I use when polishing. When I get done with a pad I just spray it and let it soak in until I can clean them. Im sure you could do the same with the swipes.

Pinnacle also sells a product for foam pad cleaning that I think is/was on sale for bogo. I just use mf detergent since its cheaper especially when bought in gallons
 
I just press it into a couple paper towels then set it on the shelf.

When it gets too gross to use I throw it out...I get them at Harbor Freight (locally) three for $1.29 so it's not like I'm throwing a lot of money away!

Regards,
GEWB
 
:righton:I use that DP powder stuff for cleaning pads and I clean them the same way I clean my pads. I keep a bucket of the stuff around for about a week, wjen Im done with the applicators I toss them in the bucket with the cleaner, along with any pads if Im using them that day, if im not then I todd them in there alone, let them soat overnight and then rinse them really good in the sink and wring them out and let them air dry. They come pretty clean and stay usable for a while. That DP cleaner is the sheeet. The cleaner is good for a week so I leave it mixed in my detailing closet for a week to 10 days then I toss it and mix up another one so I always have one ready for used applicators, pads, brushes, etc.
 
i don't bother cleaning tire applicators, when they start shredding or falling apart, i toss them and use a new one...
 
just FYI, I forgot to rinse out my applicators once after soaking with Dawn PD. After sitting for a few days, the stuff ate through 1/2 of my foam applicator. Lesson learned, make sure to wash it out the same day.
 
Garbage.

One applicator for 4 tires and it gets tossed. It's the reason why I'm a big fan of cheap tire shine applicators.
 
XMT Pad cleaner is great at removing excess product, if you like reusing applicators. Just did 8 tires today, and it hardly shows any kind of wear.
 
using the mequiars stuff i just never cleaned the pads... the yellow applicators got saturated so much on me, as long as i wore gloves, i could do 3-4 tires without applying any to the pad...


i have also used dish sponges with the stuff and found them to be pretty durable as well, but they take a lot to prime the sponge...
 
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