Foam applicators?

[Chicagoareanew]

Isn`t foam the same as sponge? Wouldn`t it scratch? I have foam applicators that have come with carnuba wax, polish, and I have a sealant that says to apply with a foam applicator...is that really ok?

[BigAl3]

is that really ok?



it will be fine...

[GS4_Fiend]

Foam applicator is the best tool to apply thin coats with.

[shadow85]

it will not scratch unless you did a poor job of cleaning it where dirt still remained on the car.

[Setec Astronomy]

Isn`t foam the same as sponge? Wouldn`t it scratch? I have foam applicators that have come with carnuba wax, polish, and I have a sealant that says to apply with a foam applicator...is that really ok?



Yeah, foam is the same as sponge...sort of. The foam applicators are a very fine pore foam. The reason we don`t like sponges for washing is that generally any grit that is on the car gets trapped at the interface and scratches the surface--a typical kitchen or wash sponge is not like a grout sponge or a foam applicator, and hopefully you are only using the foam applicator on a clean surface.

[tmg19103]

I buy them in bulk and use the other side with any discoloring from dirt on the side I start with and throw it out the second the other side shows signs of dirt.



Thus, I generally use one side per wax and get two waxes out of one foam applicator. Yeah, you can wash them, but you might miss something that scratches.



They are only $2 a piece, so that`s $1 a wax. Well worth it to not have to worry about scratches.



When clean, these things will not scratch in the least. Better than microfibers.



Mind you I only have one car. If I were a pro who did a lot of cars, I`d wash them.

[Chicagoareanew]

Thanks for the responses, guys. Now I`m totally prepared for this weekend - my first polishing and sealant application!