builthatch
02-14-2011, 04:13 PM
for years i've been using round terry covered foam pads. i have a bunch of them and store them in bags. when they need it, i wash them. i've re-sewn the edges in the past with a heavier duty line and they hold up great to massive use and cleaning. i'm a wash and reuse guy, as opposed to use a couple times and toss guy.
the problem with them is they don't apply gel well (such as opti-bond), as they absorb more than, say, a foam. and they are a pain in the ass to quickly apply product close to the lip of the rim. it can be done, but it is immensely easier with the flat edge foam pad..
so, i ordered these things http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/classic-motoring_2144_12575015 from a site and while they work great, they have TERRIBLE durability. the black foam comes off the yellow "handle" very quickly. junk. same things you see at the mass retailers under other brands.
that seems to be an issue with a lot of these types of products, from what i'm reading. also, the contoured ones have no use to me since i apply dressing to 35 series tires up to 75 series tires. one contour doesn't work.
i have a bunch of the multi colored dual density "german" wolfgang pads - i was thinking about trying them for this, but i can see them being a little messy since there isn't really a handle, so to speak. and i'm not sure how durable they would be, since i only use them every so often for hand application in tight spots of compound/polish.
what is everyone using for gel application? i would like something that is flat edged and durable that won't come apart after a couple uses.
some ideas-
these resemble the POS ones i bought, but seem to be much bigger and the foams are different proportions - Cobra Flex Foam Tire Dressing Applicators 3 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/tire-applicator.html)
the reviews look good - even durability was mentioned.
i was thinking about using something like this - Griot's Garage Mini 3 Inch Pad Holder, hand polishing pad holder (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-3inch-pad-holder.html) with a 4" foam pad of whatever density - i have a bazillion to choose from. probably LC gray. the LC or even cyclo pads are pretty durable. it's round, yes, but the somewhat firmness of the foam would allow me to get close to the lips with precision and ease.
the polishin' pal would do the same thing, but i'm not paying 24.99 for the combo - i don't need the combo, just the pal.
the problem with them is they don't apply gel well (such as opti-bond), as they absorb more than, say, a foam. and they are a pain in the ass to quickly apply product close to the lip of the rim. it can be done, but it is immensely easier with the flat edge foam pad..
so, i ordered these things http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/classic-motoring_2144_12575015 from a site and while they work great, they have TERRIBLE durability. the black foam comes off the yellow "handle" very quickly. junk. same things you see at the mass retailers under other brands.
that seems to be an issue with a lot of these types of products, from what i'm reading. also, the contoured ones have no use to me since i apply dressing to 35 series tires up to 75 series tires. one contour doesn't work.
i have a bunch of the multi colored dual density "german" wolfgang pads - i was thinking about trying them for this, but i can see them being a little messy since there isn't really a handle, so to speak. and i'm not sure how durable they would be, since i only use them every so often for hand application in tight spots of compound/polish.
what is everyone using for gel application? i would like something that is flat edged and durable that won't come apart after a couple uses.
some ideas-
these resemble the POS ones i bought, but seem to be much bigger and the foams are different proportions - Cobra Flex Foam Tire Dressing Applicators 3 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/tire-applicator.html)
the reviews look good - even durability was mentioned.
i was thinking about using something like this - Griot's Garage Mini 3 Inch Pad Holder, hand polishing pad holder (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-3inch-pad-holder.html) with a 4" foam pad of whatever density - i have a bazillion to choose from. probably LC gray. the LC or even cyclo pads are pretty durable. it's round, yes, but the somewhat firmness of the foam would allow me to get close to the lips with precision and ease.
the polishin' pal would do the same thing, but i'm not paying 24.99 for the combo - i don't need the combo, just the pal.