Do you care if some product gets soaked into applicator?

[Strive]

I've seen a few products (tire dressings, interior cleaners, etc) with instructions that say to "apply with a sponge".

I don't like to use sponges though because I feel like product gets absorbed and wasted.

I think less gets absorbed into microfiber towels (or those microfiber wrapped sponges).

Usually I will just apply with my hands when it seems reasonable, & with some type microfiber (towel or applicator) when hands aren't an option.

My questions:

• Do you think product gets wasted when using sponges?
• Do you prefer applying products with microfibers or with sponges?

Also, I know i can usually apply pressure to a sponge & get the absorbed product out. I usually try to avoid using pressure as much as I can though.

Thanks.

 

[Mike Phillips]

You make all good points but at the end of the day - whatever you use to apply a dressing - the material is going to absorb some of the product.

I don't normally ever use my bare hands to apply products as I find some type of applicator or material simply does a better job.

 

[Daniel_Swe]

Cant you use a thin saw blade and make a sponge very flat?

 

[Strive]

Cant you use a thin saw blade and make a sponge very flat?

Cool suggestion!

Never tried it. I'm guessing that would work for absorbing less. I'm not sure it would absorb less than a low-gsm microfiber though Or, if it absorbs less, it might not be worth the extra effort of using a saw.

 

[Daniel_Swe]

Cool suggestion!

Never tried it. I'm guessing that would work for absorbing less. I'm not sure it would absorb less than a low-gsm microfiber though Or, if it absorbs less, it might not be worth the extra effort of using a saw.

A harder sponge cut like a down arrow or like a triangle formed block of cheese and then wrapped in plastic, and then wrapped in microfiber. I found a block wrapped in microfiber on amazon, it was blue. I wonder if that block is absorbant or not? here it is https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Microfi...aWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

 

[Strive]

A harder sponge cut like a down arrow or like a triangle formed block of cheese and then wrapped in plastic, and then wrapped in microfiber. I found a block wrapped in microfiber on amazon, it was blue. I wonder if that block is absorbant or not? here it is https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Microfiber-Ultra-Soft-Applicator-Foam/dp/B073HL3BFV/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2GYFAEO4LHH8&keywords=wax+applicator&qid=1653767213&sprefix=wax+applicator,aps,162&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFGQVkxNURVT0Q4MDgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4ODk5MDI0SUUyVjZWUkdUMEcmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDg4OTA1MjEzTUZMTlk3Sk44MTYmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

I think many major companies have such applicators. Just looking at amazon, there is Chemical Guys, Adams, Rag Company .

I have used some in the past, & in my experience the block is foam & is absorbent. But in most cases product does not absorb past the microfiber, unless you keep using the same applicator for a long time, or have a thin product. I have not used the ones you linked though, so I cannot say about those specifically.

(Side note: I did not like the microfiber wrapped foam applicators I used in the past. They were nice initially, but after a few uses the microfiber was not tight on the foam anymore. But maybe I made a mistake & damaged the inside foam, or maybe mine were just poor quality.)

I might try a microfiber finger mitt sometime in the future. (Not neccesarily those finger mitts though.) Or, for the interior at least, I can apply some things with a brush.