Applicator Help

joshcaro

joshcaro

New member
I have always used the yellow foam applicator pads from Big Lots (4 for a buck). Well after examing my paint after polishing under light there was no marring or scratches.



I then put a coat of wax on with the applicator and didnt think about checking the paint again.



Today I had to get some gas and I was under the perfect light at the pump and noticed marring everywhere on my paint.



So I got home, got one of my applicators out to test on the cd and sure enough scratched the crap out of it.



Could it be these particular applicators or do all them do this. These applicators are exactly like the Meguiars foam applicators.



Ive been debating whether or not to stock back up on them since they are so cheap, or spend the extra money and order some MF applicators. Can someone give me some insight on whether they have had this problem and if MF applicators are superior to foam when appliny sealants and waxes.
 
Don't go by the CD test......... a lot of stuff will scratch a CD, but not necessarily the paint. However, it might be an indicator of a problem.



I've never tried the applicators you mentioned....... but "cheap" is usually a good sign to stay away. I generally use the Meguiar's apps with good success. I trim off a bit of the flashing around the applicator and wash them before using.



The DFT applicators are also very nice........ especially with a carnauba wax.



HTH
 
I know the CD test is not perfectly accurate and i know their are plenty of debates over it. But personally I feel comfortable with a product on my paint if it doesnt scratch the CD. Also I can not see how the "cheap" foam applicators are any different then the Megs ones after all it doesnt seem as if there are huge differences in foam products as their are with MF products.
 
Well, like anything else, I suspect there are different grades of foam for applicators. I've never seen an issue with the Meguair's apps.



To be honest, it may not be your apps that are causing the issue...... even though they don't pass the CD test. Get an area of the paint swirl free, and try the apps again and see if you see anything. I use a jewelers loupe just for that purpose.
 
I have never noticed the Meguiar's pads (or Pinnacle pads) to leave marring behind. Then again, I am probably more willing than some to waste a bit of product so the pad never starts to catch on the paint. After UPC, UPPx2, PGx2, S&W, QEW, and S&G, my paint is as defect free as it was immediately after polishing everything out with SSR2.5.



As for MF pads, I have a lot of them as well as very soft terry applicators and I have been using them only for interior work. I tried the MF pads with various LSPs and just didn't like them for paint applications (absorb too much product, too "catchy"), though I think they're perfect for interior work.
 
Thanks TW and congrats on your 1000th post. I was thinking about getting some MF pads for interior work as I hate using a spray for rubber/vinyl and would much rather have a lotion to prevent overspray. I really really hate spraying products on a pad also.



What works best for you on interior: MF or Terry?
 
Whatever I feel like grabbing. Oddly, and for no apparent reason, I find myself using MF for vinyl and rubber dressings (Wolfgang is great, BTW) and terry for leather products.



Dang, 1000 posts already? I was planning on making a huge speech. :D
 
Hey Cutn,



I have had great luck with the PakShak yellow foam apps. I have not noticed any marring due to applying product with these. And the deal he gives on them are incredible. I used to use the Meguiar's foam apps, but for me they seperate and become fluffy and awkward. You just need to be careful with applicators and towels or else you may run into problems. Most people that use cheap MF's, use them grunt dirty work. Maybe this mindset needs to be applied to applicators. I've never used the Big Lots ones so I can't speak of the quality, I could be wrong and they are excellent!:D
 
CutNAction said:


Could it be these particular applicators or do all them do this. These applicators are exactly like the Meguiars foam applicators.

Click to expand...



I have to disagree with this. I have both the Megs and Big Lots foam apps and they are not the same. The Megs foam apps are much softer and glide across the paint easily. The Big Lots apps are coarse and have a lot of drag on the paint. I used the Big Lots apps once on a small section and never used them again.
 
I like the MF applicators for paste waxes, but not sealants or liquid waxes - they tend to soak up too much product for my liking.
 
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