Getting a microfiber applicator REALLY clean

R

rx280

New member
When I bought a bottle of Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket (about a year ago), it came with a microfiber applicator (microfiber over foam). My first use of the FMJ was completely satisfactory, including ease of application and removal. When I was finished with the job, I cleaned the pad in the kitchen sink using dishwashing liquid: I soaked the pad with water, put some of the dishwashing liquid on it, worked the pad with my fingers and ran my fingernails over the surface in hopes of removing the FMJ residue, then repeated and gave the pad a final, thorough rinsing. When the pad had dried, I thought the results were passable but not as good as I was hoping for. The side of the pad I had used felt a little firmer than the unused side. The next time I used the FMJ, things were OK at first, then I noticed that the product wasn’t spreading as easily and evenly as before, and I’m sure it was because the “old� FMJ on the pad was creating some gumminess. As a result, application and removal weren’t as easy as the first time. I’ve probably used the FMJ a total of about five times, and the recurring gummy-pad problem has diminished my enjoyment of the process. For lack of a better idea, I’ve continued cleaning the pad with dishwashing liquid and my fingers – I’ve just worked on it longer – but the results really haven’t improved. Well, I intend to give my car the full pre-winter treatment by the end of November, and that will include a couple of coats of FMJ. I’m tempted to abandon the microfiber pad in favor of a foam pad – I never had a problem cleaning and reusing the foam pad that came with my bottle of Mequiar’s NXT Tech Wax (liquid) – but I’ll stick with the microfiber pad if someone can give me an effective way to get it clean enough that gumminess doesn’t develop halfway through the application process.

So, how do guys clean your microfiber pads after using them to apply sealant or wax? Any and all thoughts and advice greatly appreciated.
 
I usually let them soak in some Dawn (and work it the way you do with my fingers) which usually removes the wax/sealant unless it has dried. Sometimes I have used some APC for tough stuff, but make sure you rinse really well. If the MF pad still felt stiff or gummy I don't think I'd use that on my paint again...... the applicators are too cheap to risk marring up your paint. You can also try tossing it in your washer on a hot cycle wash with your other MF's after you have rinsed most of the product out of the applicator/s.



You might want to try using less product, it usually takes a lot less to apply a really thin application than most people realize.
 
FMJ is hard to wash out of MF applicators. I think I washed my last one 6-8 times with pretty warm water and dawn before it was all out. Also, try to wash it or put the pad in water as soon as your done with the FMJ so it doesn't set-up in the pad.
 
i soak mine in a dawn/hot water mixture after pouring dawn directly onto the applicator and working it in with my fingers. the hardest stuff i have had to clean out is after using collinite 845...it literally takes 2-3 rounds of this to get it all out. that also shows a bit how resistant the stuff is... so if my car ever falls in a huge vat of dawn...all of the wax won't come right off. hahahaha
 
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