Should I be worried about mixing foam applicators to apply different products after they've been washed?

Lets say (for example) I use 3 foam applicators to polish or wax my car and then use 3 to shampoo my leather seats and 3 to apply a conditioner. Then I stick them in the washing machine. Now, would it be a bad if I used one of the applicators which I originally used to shampoo or condition a leather seat to wax my car or vice versa? I ask because I just washed all of my foam applicators and they're all bunched together...

Also, should I be worried about color bleeding from my MFs or foam applicators? I use a Viking waffleweave to dry my car and when I washed everything, I noticed my foam applicators were now green (they were yellow). I'm wondering if that will have any adverse effects when I got to use my MFs or foam applicators.

 

Thanks for your support. For optimal results you want to let each wax layer cure before topping it. That'll help maximize the layering effect between the Dodo waxes. Give it 24 hrs before using the Purple Haze.

I just googled the WEN polishing machine and from the looks of it, it's ok to apply a wax, sealant or glaze, but if you plan on polishing to remove imperfections, you'll need a more powerful unit. The motor in the WEN I looked up wouldn't withstand the pressure needed to break down polishes and I'm not sure what kind of backing plate it has from the pics I saw, you may be stuck with WEN pads / bonnets which I don't know how good or bad they are. Your best bet would be to invest in a PC or Flex if you want to do the job right. Keep us posted on what you end up with and how things turn out.

If the applicator pads are clean, they can be discolored but still safe and effective. If they are still discolored because product remains on the pads, then you want to avoid using them on different surfaces. If possible what you can do is some how mark them with permanent marker somewhere and then store them in labeled ziploc bags. Same goes for the MF, as long as it's actually clean, it's ok they may be stained / discolored after washing.

Hope this helps.

 

I washed my car the other day, and then it has rained the last 2 days.

Both times when I got home, I simply used a couple of waffle towels to dry the car, and it looked good as new. Started with the roof, then the windows, then the trunk and hood, then the sides and fenders/bumpers. Took about 5 minutes.

Any harm in doing this?

 

The harm you may run into is that there could be some dirt / debris kicked up from the rain and as you are drying the car, you potentially could be adding some swirls to the paint. To keep the same technique but make it a little safer, throw some quick detailer on there before you dry, this will help provide some added lubricity and cut down on the potential imperfections. I like using Optimum Instant Detailer for this type of thing.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with.

 

Just wanted to leave a quick +1 post for Detailed Image. I have been in contact with Greg and George.

Greg was very responsive and helpful with my order offering me the best discount for my purchase and taking care of refunds and cancellations. He was open to questions and active in working out my order all before opening business day the next day. Off of this mind you occurred on a Sunday!

George was as always very polite and courteous offering EXTENSIVE suggestions and helpful information. Much of what I asked I'm sure the fellows have heard a thousand times but he nevertheless took my questions seriously and offered encouragement. A nice touch is that DI always asks to see how things turn out and such a gesture tells me that their motivations lie not just in sales but in satisfaction. Hopefully I will get to complete my project this weekend and post some before and after pics.

I don't know if it has already been mentioned but they just revamped their home page and are offering a 20% discount off detailing products. An excellent sale. I went nuts on my purchase.

 

Thanks for the very kind words! It's feedback like this that keeps us going

Enjoy your new products and thank again for your support.

George

 

Hey man, I PMed you.. I just have a few final questions before purchasing.

 

Replied, sorry I was away for the weekend...

 

+1 recommendation for detailed image. i have to say i'm a pretty difficult customer and greg has endured my endless emails with infinite patience. thanks!

 

I searched for "shoe" and nothing came up. What's good for getting shoe marks off the plastic lower part of the drivers side door? My plastic is beige.

Many thanks.

 

Thanks for the positive feedback. Keep us posted on if there's anything you'd like to see us do differently. We appreciate your support

I'd check out this article: How to Clean Scuffs from Door Sills

This should get you started in the right direction. If you have any other questions let me know. Keep us posted on how things turn out.

 

I'm sure this has been discussed to death somewhere but I just can't find it...

But how bad are water spots in terms of damaging the clear coat/paint?

My house is unfortunately placed that sunlight hits my driveway all day long. I've tried washing in my garage but that was a disaster, there was water everywhere by the time I soaked my car (didn't even get to wash it). I tried keeping my car soaked at all times but that didn't help. I tried washing in parts (soak an area, wash it, rinse it off, move on to next area- all the while keeping the entire car wet) and that didn't work either. I always wash during the morning when it's still cool but the sunlight heats up my car's surface within minutes. I can't wash before sunrise (hell, I can't get out of bed) and I'm working during evening.

Water spots don't really bother me as my car still looks great and you can only notice them up close and in direct sunlight but I definitely don't wanna do anything to harm my car long term.

 

It really depends on a lot of factors but the damage can range from minor to extreme. If there are a lot of pollutants in the air and the water spots bake into the paint, I've seen some spots that require wet sanding. Other times, I've seen water spots rinse away with some vinegar and water mix or some other light chemical. You always want to start with the least aggressive approach which is usually a chemical polish. A good option for that is Klasse All In One. If that doesn't do the trick, move on to something more aggressive, and so on until the spots are gone.

 

Hello. This is a double post but I couldn't get any answers in the general area. Do you know what to use to clean wax out of the tight fitting panels at the bottom of the car? This may be unique to to the convertibles, but I have intersection of panels near the bottom on both sides that traps wax. I can not even get a Q-tip in there. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Shane D

 

Try to find a paint safe brush (boar's hair ideally), mist some degreaser between the panels or on the brush and use the hairs to agitate and clean between the gaps. That would be what I'd use assuming I couldn't get a microfiber towel between them or something like a q-tip or a foam swab.

Hope that helps.