To the experts: I last detailed Hoss in Nov. Looking at doing a total detail again soon. Question is, I haven't used the applicator bonnets since November. What is the best way to clean them for reuse? I have about 6 blue bonnets and two fluffly wool bonets.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

P.S. - I used many different Meguiars Products with them, from polish, swirl remover and wax ect.

 

I'd soak them in a bucket of Dawn detergent and work them well by hand to break up any dried particles. Possibly run through the wash machine.

I don't really like bonnets though and prefer foam pads to them.

 

I second Intel's thoughts.

If you opt to run them through the washer, I'd recommend utilizing liquid detergent so that you don't run the risk of non-dissolving detergent crystals having the potential to ruin your finish with a bonnet that didn't rinse well.

I'm a foam guy too. I rarely, if ever, use bonnets.

RP

 

I got a question on the foam pads. Do you clean them or are they something you use once and throw away? If you do clean them what is the best way?

 

I clean my pads... they're simply too expensive to discard after one use in my opinion.

I do, however, dedicate products to pads. For example, I'll only use #16 Professional Paste Wax with a certain pad. My typical life cycle on the pad is three or four uses before it becomes 'questionable' and might get tossed.

RP

 

I clean em. I use a pad spur and an air compressor and it really works well. Some guy's like to soak them in buckets, etc. but I find it cuts the life of the backing down.

I'll also only use pads for certain things. If I compound with a pad, then that's all that pad see.s If I use a pad for a polish, then that's all that pad will see, etc.

 

Thanks to all for your replies. I'll look into getting some pads too.