Not sure if this has been addressed before, but why has foam been the choice of material for applicators? It seems like it could be a major source of the minor marring on finishes since it doesn't exactly feel too soft like MF or Terry. I guess I'm curious since a lot of my foam pads are getting worn and stained, so I'll be buying a pack of applicators sometime soon.
Why foam?
- Thread starter truzoom
- Start date
Bill D
Hooked For Life
When it comes to applying a sealant or wax by hand I use a very plush mf pad. If I need mild polishing action by hand I'll use foam; it has a little more bite. Polishing even small spots by hand is rarely effective on my paint though.
rollman
Professional Detailer
Bill D said:
:yeah Thats pretty much what I do as well . It works great for me .
Foam comes in many differnt grades today . One that comes to mind are the White polishing pads from Edge . They're some of the finest foam pads I've ever felt. Let's not forget those PVA appilcators from PoorBoys , though I never had a chance to use them I hear nothing but good things about them . I think the biggest reason as to "Why foam" is the price , its cheap .
TW85
Evidence Seeker
You can buy two foam pads for the price of one MF or terry applicator. I tend to use MF and terry applicators on the interior (more even of an application) and foam on the exterior. Foam wastes less product IMO and while I have wondered about foam applicators marring the paint, I have not found that to be the case. I do have eight paint dedicated MF pads from Patrick that I use once in a while, particularly if the product is out of a bottle or comes in a large jar like #16.
Bill D
Hooked For Life
Foam tools that I do use most frequently I use in the interior. They include:interior dressing applicators from TOL, Black Magic foam pads and foam paint brushes in packs from a dollar store.
shotime
Privitize it
If anybody hasn't tried the Euro Foam Applicators from PAC yet, try them. They're the best I've used by far. Both sides can be used, one is more for polishing and other is for waxes/sealants. The size is huge which saves a lot of time. I bought 3 to try out and am buying 10 more on my next order. I've tried terry applicators but they always seem to leave fine swirls. Maybe it's me, maybe it's the applicator. I'm sure some people swear by them.
Bill D
Hooked For Life
It sounds like it might be too big for small clearance areas in door jams. Sounds like a product that should be available in several sizes and sold individually in each and also a "value pack"
zesty-man
how do ya like it?
for the most part, ive gotten myself addicted to those mf applicators. i think the mf applicators use more product, then the foam, but give you an even coat. i guess it matters on how much product youre willing to use.
I wondered about foam apps causing marring so I tested for it. I washed the hood of the car and used it as my test bed. Took a foam Megs yellow app and rubbed it on the paint. Inspected for marring in bright sun light and under halogen lighting. No marring. Increased the pressure and still no marring. I had to rub extreamly hard to get even minor marring from the foam. I wasn't using any kind of lube either. Same results with MF apps. Terry apps marred and it did not require much pressure to do so.
I use foam for all interior dressings. MF and terry apps waste too much product and I don't find application of the product to be more even as some have suggested.
On the paint I use foam for thicker products like paste wax and thick liquids. I use MF apps for thinner products such as pre wax cleaners. They seem to spread better with the MF app.
I also use foam for defect removal by hand. I find foam provides more even pressure with abrasives. MF and terry apps have a nap to them and I don't like this with abrassives. I want the abrasives to contact the paint uniformly and they can't with an applicator that has a nap. The nap creates hot spots and uneven application of the product resulting in marring in my experience.
I use foam for all interior dressings. MF and terry apps waste too much product and I don't find application of the product to be more even as some have suggested.
On the paint I use foam for thicker products like paste wax and thick liquids. I use MF apps for thinner products such as pre wax cleaners. They seem to spread better with the MF app.
I also use foam for defect removal by hand. I find foam provides more even pressure with abrasives. MF and terry apps have a nap to them and I don't like this with abrassives. I want the abrasives to contact the paint uniformly and they can't with an applicator that has a nap. The nap creates hot spots and uneven application of the product resulting in marring in my experience.