Cleaning Applicator Pads

West6MT

West6MT

New member
Ok, silly question.
How do I clean those yellow wax applicator pads?
How do I clean MF pads,...........can I just toss them in with the MF towels in a washing machine?

Thanks
 
I use a degreaser/APC and wash them by hand. (yellow foam)
Some people throw them in the wash too.
I throw the MF pads in the wash, after pre-spraying them with APC/degreaser.
I try to keep my detailing stuff separate from clothing (mostly so the mf towels don't pick up lint).

Some products just don't seem to wash out, though. I've washed some pads 5 times with various products, and the pad still feels or looks like there's something still on it. I just "dedicate" that pad to that product from then on. (put it in a bag and label it for that product.)
 
Big Leegr said:
Some products just don't seem to wash out, though. I've washed some pads 5 times with various products, and the pad still feels or looks like there's something still on it. I just "dedicate" that pad to that product from then on. (put it in a bag and label it for that product.)
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My experience is about the same as yours. I hand wash my applicators and have tried quite a few different products with some applicators never coming completly clean.
I mark the back side of the applicator with a permanent marker for the product I use it with. I do use my own version of shorthand since I'm the only one that needs to know what each applicator is for.
Klasse AIO = AIO
4 Star UPC = UPC
4 Star UPP = UPP
Meg's #9 = 9
Poorboy's SSR2 or SSR1 = SSR2 or SSR1
Collinite Insulator Wax = IW
S100 Carnauba = S100

I mark my small dispenser bottles and my spray bottles in the same manner. I tried Dymo labels on the bottles, but the labels didn't stay on very well.

Not too sophisticated, but it works for me.:)

Charles
 
if you wash the pads and mf towels in the washing machine will this cause a problem with tossing your other laundry in the same machine later on?
 
joe.p said:
if you wash the pads and mf towels in the washing machine will this cause a problem with tossing your other laundry in the same machine later on?
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That is one reason I wash mine by hand.
I can't state it as fact, but I don't see anyway you would not have some residue left in the washing machine. Probably not a good thing for your other laundry.

Charles
 
I soak them in warm water/APC mix, wash/rinse out by hand, and spin dry them attached to my polisher.
 
I soak all my pads in detergent & oyx clean mixture over night...I put them on gentle cycle with more detergent and wash in the washing machine...Pop in the dryer on low heat for about 15 minutes and they come out great...As far as messing up the washing machine the soaking takes care of this...ask my wife she knows.

My MF pads I washing in the same way but air dry those.
 
Thanks for the responses. If you are worried about residue after putting MF towels in the wash you can run some vinegar in the rinse cycle and that should take care of anything that is in there (few ppl told me this) and I have done it before.

What is a good APC (you guys mean all purpose cleaner right) to use? I mean like brand (be specific),......I dont wanna screw up my towels/pads buying the wrong thing. Oxyclean is safe and you can mix it with apc? What form does it come in?

Thanks,
Steve
 
Oxi-clean is a powder (although you can get a liquid Oxi-clean spot remover). You just need to be sure you dissolve all the crystals (hot water) so none get stuck in the fibers, possibly causing marring during future uses. Same with powdered detergents.
As to brands, for me, it seems to depend more on what's handy than much else. I've used over a dozen different brands. I think just about any OTC APC would be "safe" as they are usually not as potentially dangerous as pro concentrates (on purpose, so they are less likely to be causing damage/claims.)
 
Big Leegr said:
Oxi-clean is a powder (although you can get a liquid Oxi-clean spot remover). You just need to be sure you dissolve all the crystals (hot water) so none get stuck in the fibers, possibly causing marring during future uses. Same with powdered detergents.
As to brands, for me, it seems to depend more on what's handy than much else. I've used over a dozen different brands. I think just about any OTC APC would be "safe" as they are usually not as potentially dangerous as pro concentrates (on purpose, so they are less likely to be causing damage/claims.)
Click to expand...

Thanks Big Leegr, I think I will pick up some oxyclean. I should have made my other question a little more specific I guess. For the APC,....is that like something you find in a grocerie store,......that you use to clean house stuff. Or is it something you get at like home depot or whatever. Thats why I asked for a specific brand because I really dont know what im looking for.

Someone told me (patrick) I could use an APC on my plastic stereo face to get the glue residue left by a sticker when I bought the car. Would this be the same type of APC that we are talking about above?
 
An APC (all purpose cleaner) like 409, Simple Green, White Lightening, etc....Citrus cleaners, degreasers are all APC styled...All of these can be used inside the car but MIXING them with water is key....Citrus based cleaner are my choice and I mix mine 10/1 water to cleaner..then if that's not strong enough for the inside I can add a bit more. On any APC I would start with this mixture and work upwards from there.
When working on the inside of the car never spray dorectly on the surface, I always spray on the towel then wiper that area...On clear plastics be very careful with those some will cloud up with APC..Common sence is all you need and don't be in a hurry

These can be purchsed at Home Depot, groceries stores, hardware stores...they are about every where
 
Beemerboy said:
An APC (all purpose cleaner) like 409, Simple Green, White Lightening, etc....Citrus cleaners, degreasers are all APC styled...All of these can be used inside the car but MIXING them with water is key....Citrus based cleaner are my choice and I mix mine 10/1 water to cleaner..then if that's not strong enough for the inside I can add a bit more. On any APC I would start with this mixture and work upwards from there.
When working on the inside of the car never spray dorectly on the surface, I always spray on the towel then wiper that area...On clear plastics be very careful with those some will cloud up with APC..Common sence is all you need and don't be in a hurry

These can be purchsed at Home Depot, groceries stores, hardware stores...they are about every where
Click to expand...

Thanks Beemerboy,
Excellent information, Gonna go grab some right now.
 
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