PVA Sponges

AhsGrad1973

AhsGrad1973

New member
If you are needing a PVA Sponge, and you cannot wait for your order from PAC or Poorboy's, or they are out, if you have a West Marine store near you, they sell a 7" x 3" yellow PVA sponge brick, it is expensive, $6.99, you can cut it in half or in thirds.

The PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) is used in a lot of different products, mops, sponges, medical surgery, sea sponge replacements for bathing, etc.

I use the ones I purchased from PAC when ever I am applying polish when I need a thin layer.

After you use them, and you wash them out, if you let them air dry completely they will harden. But re-moisting them will soften them right back up for immediate use. Keep in an air tight zip lock baggy after washing, and they will stay soft.
 
Do the PVA sponges have some special traits that make them better than the regular foam applicators?
Presently I use either the Meguiar's foam appicator or the Viking foam applicator with the doorknob shaped handle in the foam. They both seem to work pretty good.

Charles
 
Charles, they don't absorb as much as the regular sponge applicators. I remember when I saw them at PAC's, I was hestitant to try they, but what the heck, have to try new and different things. I was convinced afterwards. Allowed me to apply the polish very thin, and used less then I was with the Meguiar's sponge applicators.
 
Thanks for the explanation. It seemed logical that there was some advantage or they wouldn't be offered for sale. The capability of applying very thin coats of product sounds good.
One other question. Since they dry and become hard after cleaning, how good do they work with a product like 4 Star UPP that doesn't really like water used with it?

Charles
 
Charles,

I use PB's PVA spongepads all the time to apply 4Star UPP and have never had any issues. The trick is to first sprinkle some water on the hardened PVA sponge - just enough to soften it up. Pour a bit of UPP on the sponge, squeeze the sponge slightly to "spread" the UPP around it, then begin to apply. You'll find that the PVA will absorb the UPP, soften even more, and then magically "dispense" just the right amount of UPP to cover the car with a very light film. Also, the sharp, right angles of the PVA is simply ideal to "cut" around trim, wiper nozzles, etc.
 
Lee:
Obviously the small amount of water left in the sponge is not having an adverse effect on the UPP. I wonder if that is because it is such a small amount or if the latest UPP is less affected by water. Recently, I have been applying UPP with the PC and a Meguiar's foam finishing pad that I spray lightly with 4 Star UGE to help with the first pass. I only spray the pad at the start of application and the UPP seems to be fine from then on.

Charles
 
I do believe that to be the case, Charles.

The first few drops of water simply "primes" the PVA and is, perhaps, even retained in the PVA during application. Like you said, it's similar in concept to you priming the foam finishing pad prior to application. Those first few drops isn't likely to be affected by the 1-2 ounces of UPP that is typically used during the application.
 
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