REVIEW (Part Deux): Homemade soap for Wax Applicators

Dr_Pain

Dr_Pain

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Some of you may have read my first review on the use of homemade soap to clean microfibers, if not then here is the link: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/62814-review-homemade-soap-microfibers.html

This review is PART DEUX in which I am investigating the use of homemade soap to clean wax applicators

The soap is the same as the first review and the targets are 3 wax applicators and 1 finger applicator. All were well used and saturated with products and all were left to dry for at least a week (because we all do it!!).

IMG_14722.jpg


The finger applicator was used to apply Z2 and Z5 to rims (hence the reason it is so dirty)
The Pinnacle wax applicators were used as follow: 2 used to apply CG Blacklight, and 1 used to apply Pete 53.



The homemade soap was the same as the previous review. In this experiment I used 1 TBPS in 2 gallons of 120 degree water.



The process was very simple:
1) I put the water in,
2) I put the soap in,
3) I gave a nice agitation with my hand and
4) I dropped the applicators with a grit guard over them to keep them submerged.



To be honest, I was ready to let them soak for a while, but got anxious to see the results so after a 5 minute soak, I started pulling them out and noticed that they were almost 100% clean :props:. I hand squeezed the solution in and out a few times and let them soak for another 5 minutes. The yellow applicators were 100% whereas the finger applicator required a little more work. I hand squeezed and rubbed the finger applicator and and let it soak for another 5 minutes and "et voila!" they were good as new. I did a cold water rinse and placed them on the grit guard to dry overnight

Was I surprised? Heck yea!
Was I doubtful? Not really but did not expect 100% result in so little time

Conclusion: The homemade is definitely an easy and effective way to clean wax applicators, and definitely more safe and economical them using the mineral spirits/IPA concoction discussed in this thread http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/59830-what-best-way-clean-wax-applicators.html

Cost: Based on the previous calculation I shared the cost of cleaning was about $0.08 compared to the pad rejuvinator DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator was created to provide detailers with a fast and effective way to clean pads without soapy residue or foamy degreasers. which would cost $1.24 per batch (16 application claimed of a product which cost $19.99)

The results:speak for themselves

[url=http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/59045][/URL]
 
Wow! Claude you do it again. Looks like I'm going to be pick up the ingredients to make me some soap!
 
Thanks for the great homemade tip!

My question is will it work if you have let the applicators sit for a week or so?

Do you think you could test that?
 
ihaveacamaro said:
Thanks for the great homemade tip!

My question is will it work if you have let the applicators sit for a week or so?

Do you think you could test that?
Click to expand...

Hey Roshan, I did test it. If you re-read the body you will see that I let them sit for "a least a week". Just for disclosure, I actually let one of the blacklight sit for close to 3 weeks. Last weekend I had an offshore fishing boat to do (full weekend work). The week before we had a full correction topped with a Blacklight and a wax only wash and wax (customer request) double header. So the other applicator (Blacklight) was left to dry for 2 1/2 weeks.

:dblthumb2:
 
Dr_Pain said:
Hey Roshan, I did test it. If you re-read the body you will see that I let them sit for "a least a week". Just for disclosure, I actually let one of the blacklight sit for close to 3 weeks. Last weekend I had an offshore fishing boat to do (full weekend work). The week before we had a full correction topped with a Blacklight and a wax only wash and wax (customer request) double header. So the other applicator (Blacklight) was left to dry for 2 1/2 weeks.

:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Sorry! I got so distracted by the pictures :p

Well then, dang, this stuff worked pretty freaking well!

Have you tried foam polishing pads with this solution as well?
 
I think my next test will be my polishing pads..... what do you guys think?

I am more skeptical about the efficacy with these for some reason. I fear the oils and caked on stuff may be too much for laundry detergent, but we shall see. I do have a nasty white pad which will be my "grungy" test. It is old, and delaminating, and disgusting and if it cleans it up then I will be sold. I am serious, this thing is ready for the trash.
 
Dr_Pain said:
I think my next test will be my polishing pads..... what do you guys think?

I am more skeptical about the efficacy with these for some reason. I fear the oils and caked on stuff may be too much for laundry detergent, but we shall see. I do have a nasty white pad which will be my "grungy" test. It is old, and delaminating, and disgusting and if it cleans it up then I will be sold. I am serious, this thing is ready for the trash.
Click to expand...

do it!

I had put my CSS pads by LC in the washer and some of them got chunks bitten out.. prefer to wash it more in a more gentle method. I would be very interested to see the results
 
Excellent results and write-up. You've made me a convert! Thanks!
 
Dr_Pain said:
I think my next test will be my polishing pads..... what do you guys think?

I am more skeptical about the efficacy with these for some reason. I fear the oils and caked on stuff may be too much for laundry detergent, but we shall see. I do have a nasty white pad which will be my "grungy" test. It is old, and delaminating, and disgusting and if it cleans it up then I will be sold. I am serious, this thing is ready for the trash.
Click to expand...

I have to say I'm impressed! The first two reviews of the homade stuff were great. Can't wait to see how it performs on polishing pads! Dang!
 
Yep, I'm going to walmart to buy the ingredients now.
 
Thanks for all the comments! :props:

I was asked in a PM to do a side by side experiment with both the micro and the wax applicators. The suggestion was made to rule out that the washing machine or the hot water had more to do with the results.

I have a full detail/full multi-step correction on a Range Rover this weekend, so I should be able to produce some dirty micros, dirty applicators, and dirty polishing pads. I will let them fester for a bit and redo the experiment without the soap and update both threads respectively.

Thanks for the suggestion and looking forward to some Cajun myth busting :dblthumb2:
 
Dr_Pain said:
Thanks for all the comments! :props:

I was asked in a PM to do a side by side experiment with both the micro and the wax applicators. The suggestion was made to rule out that the washing machine or the hot water had more to do with the results.

I have a full detail/full multi-step correction on a Range Rover this weekend, so I should be able to produce some dirty micros, dirty applicators, and dirty polishing pads. I will let them fester for a bit and redo the experiment without the soap and update both threads respectively.

Thanks for the suggestion and looking forward to some Cajun myth busting :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Good luck with the Rover and I look forward to future reviews of your soap.
 
Dr_Pain said:
Thanks for all the comments! :props:

I was asked in a PM to do a side by side experiment with both the micro and the wax applicators. The suggestion was made to rule out that the washing machine or the hot water had more to do with the results.

I have a full detail/full multi-step correction on a Range Rover this weekend, so I should be able to produce some dirty micros, dirty applicators, and dirty polishing pads. I will let them fester for a bit and redo the experiment without the soap and update both threads respectively.

Thanks for the suggestion and looking forward to some Cajun myth busting :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Looking forward to it :props:
 
Dr_Pain said:
Hey Roshan, I did test it. If you re-read the body you will see that I let them sit for "a least a week". Just for disclosure, I actually let one of the blacklight sit for close to 3 weeks. Last weekend I had an offshore fishing boat to do (full weekend work). The week before we had a full correction topped with a Blacklight and a wax only wash and wax (customer request) double header. So the other applicator (Blacklight) was left to dry for 2 1/2 weeks.

:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...
I believe your homemade soap is the same recipe being handed around on post amongst our army wives. My wife used it for two years then switched back to regular laundry detergent. I clean my pads with laundry detergent, the store bought kind. Seems to work great. not sure if the making it yourself will beat anything on the store shelf though.
 
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