Cleaning the cleaning stuff

[Grampa]

Thanks to T & J at Autoperfection, as a 'keen cleaner' rather than a 'detailer' I've got a new faster cleaning regime with better results than when I was in the dark zone that is high street products - happy with all that.

But what about cleaning the cleaning stuff? I've always put microfibre cloths through the washing machine - they appear to come out as new and I assume this is doing no harm?

I've also rinsed the polish off the polish applicator - correct thing to do, or best to leave it 'infused' with polish?

But the one most concerning me is the microfibre wash pad - the reason I changed to this is on T & J's advice it's better as any grit goes up the fibres, away from the tips that are in contact with the paintwork - and from the particles visible to the human eye, you can see this is the case - when rinsing out the pad, I've sort of scratched at it with my fingers in all directions, but no matter who much I try to rinse it, there always seems to be yet another particle that appears - almost as if it's going round the back and winding me up by appearing at the front again. Any secret to cleaning these out?

I'm sure T & J will answer - I did think about just asking you direct, but I'm sure there are others out there who would like to hear the answers to these questions.

[autoperfection]

Hi Grampa,

Pleased to hear you're still getting on well with the products and that you're happy with your cleaning regime!

With regards to cleaning the cleaning stuff, what you're doing is absolutely fine... the microfibres are fine to go in the washing machine and you won't do them any harm (just as long as there is no fabric softner going in, as this will end up causing the microfibres to lose some of their absorbency and they may end up causing streaks).

With regards to the polish applicator, yes, you're right to remove the polish each time rather than leaving the applicator infused with the product, as you can run the risk of the product drying out in the applicator, which will end up turning to a sort of dust, which then in turn can end up marking the paint the next time you use the applicator. The easiest way to clean out your applicators is just to run a bowl of warm water and add a tiny squirt of fairy liquid to it... that should remove the polish (same goes for wax applicators) and then just let them air dry ready for the next time you want to use them.

With the wash pad, each time you use it make sure you give it a good rinse out in fresh water and do as you've said, just give it a good scrape... you can use your grit guard in your bucket to help get rid of as many particles as possible and then every now and then just pop it in the washing machine with the microfibres. Reshape it whilst it's still damp to make sure it doesn't lose it's shape, and then let it air dry.

Hope this helps!

All the best

Taryn and Jim

[Grampa]

Thanks - figured I was OK with the microfibres as they appear to come up like new. I take it that last bit of minute grit on the wash pad - the final bit that won't come out is OK then? - I guess there's such particles in the pad anyway as soon as you wash over the first bit of dirt, and from what you've explained previously, they work there way to the 'roots' of the pad away from the part that's in contact with the car.

[autoperfection]

If you can't loosen them out with your finger nails or by scraping the wash pad across the grit guard, it means they're fairly well tucked into the fibres, so the chances of them doing any damage should be minimal.

I'd probably aim to wash the wash pad in the washing machine around once every three - four times you've washed the car (so for instance, if you wash your car once a week, get your wash pad in the washing machine once a month)

All the best

Taryn and Jim

PS. Post some more pictures of the car up!! I love the Viper Green