Perhaps I’ve been doing something wrong, and please correct me if I have been. Every time I detail my Z I use up 3 applicator pads (one for polish, one for wax and one for the tires) when I’m done with everything, I toss into the trash. Sometimes I’ll put them in a plastic bag and reuse the other side of the pad, but only for the tires. Is this the correct method of using these things or are they reusable?

At about $1 apiece I’m going through $3 worth of applicator pads each time I clean my car. I’ve got 2 other cars that I don’t detail them because I just don’t feel like it’s worth the extra expense above a normal wash and dry.

Is this an issue or am I getting side tracked on a reoccurring cost that I should just accept?

 

I was actually thinking the same thing this weekend.

I zaino'd my car for the first time (Was sooo nice out, perfect day for it) And used 1 side of a pad for the Z2, and the other side the pad for Z5. Used a normal towel for wiping it off etc.

Either way though, the pads are great for applying the stuff, and I have the one i used soaking in water still, but none of the zaino has released from the pad.

Will the towels wash free of this stuff ? I'd hate to be goin through pads and towels at this rate...

Perhaps Master Bonz can shed some light!

 

I have two pads. One for Z-5 and one for Z-2. I use a small piece of a t-shirt for the rims. You won't be able to get all the wax out of the pad, but who cares? I just give them a decent hand rinsing with a bit of tide and then let them dry. Then i just use them again... and again... and again.

 

Very re-useable! I wash mine in a sink with a bit of dishwashing liquid. Rub it back and forth with somewhat hot water and let air dry.

 

If you are using foam pads, you can reuse by washing or take them one step furthur and make microfiber pads from them. I got some to the microfiber towels form Costco and made some applicators my sewing covers for the sponge applicators. Now I have about a dozen and just throw them in with the MF towels when I was them. Work great and I feel better about using them rather than the foam.

Cheers.

 

Use Dawn on the foam pads and it will take the Zaino out of them.

 

Thanks guys. Looks like I won't be tossing away applicator pads like used paper towels anymore. I appreciate the help.

 

As you've probably found out, the pads cannot be machine washed (actually it's the machine drying that really tears them up). If you want to re-use a pad, put it into hot water with some dawn, or liquid laudry detergent IMMEDIATELY after use. Give it some good agitation, then rinse thoroughly. Have you ever seen one of those counter-top hand-operated mini washers? I'll bet that would work even better.

Once you've washed and dried a pad, compare its feel to a new pad. If you're like me, the used pad becomes a wheel scrubber or a Z-12 applicator (Z-12 will tear up an applicator in minutes).

I give away LOTS of pads (easily hundreds a year) to my customers, but I also recommend you use 100% cotton washcloths. They CAN be machine washed and dried, and used over and over. I usually get at least a half-dozen polishes out of a washcloth, and then it becomes a shop rag.

Whether you're using pads or cloths, mist on a bit of Z-6 before you apply the first bit of polish. That'll make the applicator soak up less polish, which means your polish goes further, and there is less to remove from the applicator during clean-up.