What is the best way to clean wax applicators?

AudiFL

AudiFL

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Hello Everyone,

Need some help! As the title says I'm looking for a cleaning method for wax applicator. I coated my car today with Fuzion. Now I want to clean the applicator that came with it.

Any help is very appreciated.

__________
Edgar
 
Me too, I've tried the powder stuff you can order on AG and it didn't do much for getting Black Fire Wet Diamond sealant out. I kept squeezing product out of it and finally just threw the applicator away.
 
I use apc and warm water if there not really dirty I soak in a bucket with apc and warm water.
 
So I think you know this guy but forgot his ag name. He has like a black BMW z and his favorite wax is fusion. He taught me how to soak it in mineral spirits for 12 hours then rinse it out and then soak in alcohol or isprorply however you spell it for another 12 hours. Then rinse out
 
Qusai said:
So I think you know this guy but forgot his ag name. He has like a black BMW z and his favorite wax is fusion. He taught me how to soak it in mineral spirits for 12 hours then rinse it out and then soak in alcohol or isprorply however you spell it for another 12 hours. Then rinse out
Click to expand...

That's me, but I've combined the IPA / mineral spirits into 1 soak

I have found only one way to completely remove all / any LSPs (including sealants and tire shine) from applicators / pads. Most of these will come out brand new looking and 100% free of all polymers, sealants, silicones, etc... using this method.

Before you start, get as much product out of the pad / applicator using APC / pad cleaner you can - don't use dishwashing liquid / Dawn. You will never get it all out of the foam and it will NOT remove 100% of sealants, silicones, polymers, tire shine, etc... Then:

1. Get a small plastic bucket and lid, about 1/2 - 1 gallon size. You can get these in the paint department of anywhere that sells paint.

2. Fill it only enough to cover your applicator pad with a mixture of 50/50 mineral spirits (oderless)/IPA

3. Place rubber gloves on your hands and agitate applicator / pad in the mixture for a minute.

4. Let applicator / pad soak in the solution in the bucket (with the lid on) overnight.

5. Re-agitate applicator the next day in the solution. Then rinse the applicator and squeeze it out in hot water. Rinse it well.

6. Place the lid on your small bucket with the mixture of "cleaning solvent" in it. Save the mixture. Even though it will have sealant in it, you can use it several times.

While this is not a fast or cheap way to do it, it really works well. I just can't put a pad / applicator away that still has product in it. Some people just put the applicator in a plastic bag and save it for next time. However, I don't like this method, as I sometimes use the same applicator / pad for different products. Also, the foam does get dirty, even if it's just picking up surface dust, it does accumulate.

This method is not required for polishes or compounds. Most of them will come out of foam with pad cleaner.
 
/\ That is a great tip for getting applicators clean.

You may have to wait overnight but if you have enough applicators on hand then it wont matter. This way you will have squeaky clean applicator ready for a new application.
 
I can see going through all the time, effort and expense to clean top quality foam pads that cost ten or twelve dollars a piece but not wax applicators. I assume you mean those sponge-like foam wax/sealant hand pads. AG sells them for just a few dollars a piece and those are top of the line. You can get very similar ones at local stores for even less. Why would you want to save those? Two or three of these pads is all you need to polish and wax an entire car. I've even started buying the HF blue and black rotary pads when they have them on sale for $4 and just toss them out too. (They do a pretty good job too although I've only tried them once so far). Since you only wax a car three or four times a year I just can't see taking the time and effort to clean a pad, at least a hand pad. Besides, unless the procedure posted by swainicyouth really works, I've yet to see any used wax pad come back and be effective as new.
 
I don't even try to deal with it, trash 'em, get more.
 
Haha yes! I knew you would come in and explain it one more time because I lost the thread where you had the specific directions for it. Thank you again swanicyouth
 
RTexasF said:
I don't even try to deal with it, trash 'em, get more.
Click to expand...

Agree, I just toss them and get more :) I can get a pack of 4 Meg's applicators OTC for like 3.50. I use them to apply interior dressings.

All my wax/sealants are applied by machine. With the exception of testing out samples.
 
Shortspark said wax 3 or 4 times a year LOL good one breh
 
Multi task....take them in the shower with you.

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
It makes since to clean them if you are using them regularly. Throwing them away is practial if your just doing your own can a few times a year. But the cost does add up for those that go thru em. As for myself, im just getting started and dont mind trashing them. But ill remember this post and the remedy for cleaning them.

Thanks for the knowledge.
 
I toss mine in a bucket of hot water, let the wax/sealant get soft then spray with Dawn Power Dissolver, work it in and let them sit for a few minutes. Then I use a pad brush to remove as much sealant/wax as i can and rinse them with the hottest water I can stand. I then spray with Simple Green, let them sit for a few minutes, rinse again, toss them in another bucket of hot water and squeeze them repeatedly to remove as much of the cleaner as I can. So far so good. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I just use my electric pressure washer. I put the pad in my bucket on top of the grt guard and spray away. They come perfectly clean.
 
I clean mine in the kitchen sink with Dawn and hot water.
 
I soak them in a bucket of HOT water and pad cleaner, usually along with pads, then rinse out in the sink. If using wax pads without polishing, spray with pad cleaner immediately after using, then soak/rinse with hot water.
 
Soaking them in very hot water with dawn over a 24 hour period works very well
 
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