Wheel Prep - No Scratch Applicator vs. Pipe Cleaner

[CivilWarTalk]

I've been reviewing a number of techniques for prepping wheels, and I'm a little confused among the threads I've read when I should use a pipe cleaner, and when I should use the No Scratch Applicator.

It looks like a few years ago it was common to use pipe cleaners for all the polish steps once the first polish applied via cotton swab stalk was complete. Sometimes by hand, sometimes with a drill.

Now we have these fancy No Scratch Applicators, and I guess it's only recommended to use a pipe cleaner for the last buffing step of the 2nd polish.

Are we simply replacing the pipe cleaners so that we lower the chance of scratching the bore? Or do the new No Scratch Applicators actually work better?

I guess I'm asking, do I really need the No Scratch Applicators, or can I manage with just pipe cleaners???

 

[BlewBYu]

CW, I think you're going to find that it really is a personal preference. I know that there are people who run fast who make claims for both sides of that argument.

 

[CivilWarTalk]

CW, I think you're going to find that it really is a personal preference. I know that there are people who run fast who make claims for both sides of that argument.

That kinda answers my question, it's personal preference. So I shouldn't sweat it if I experiment using one or the other. I mean obviously I can try anything I want to see what works...

 

[BlewBYu]

I think that's what you got to do. Experiment with those types of things to find out what works for you.

 

[Vitamin K]

I need to figure out a good way to make pipe cleaners unable to scratch my bores. Need to give ngyoung's hot-glue-droplet trick a try.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

Death to the FLUFFY PIPE CLEANER!!!!!

 

[Kinser Racing]

My personal preference is: I would never put a pipe cleaner in my bores again and I haven't for years. I use the no scratch for almost everything that has to do with the bores of my wheels.

 

[Vitamin K]

Death to the FLUFFY PIPE CLEANER!!!!!

Why the hate for our favorite (non)smoking implement? /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[CivilWarTalk]

My personal preference is: I would never put a pipe cleaner in my bores again and I haven't for years. I use the no scratch for almost everything that has to do with the bores of my wheels.

That's pretty definitive....

 

[CivilWarTalk]

A thought came to mind. My wheel bore polishing kit from DD4H only had 2 No Scratch Applicators in it.

I feel like I need three...

One to clean with alcohol

One to apply the polish

And one to buff it out

Or can I use the same one to apply and to buff?

 

[BlewBYu]

A thought came to mind. My wheel bore polishing kit from DD4H only had 2 No Scratch Applicators in it. I feel like I need three... One to clean with alcohol One to apply the polish And one to buff it out Or can I use the same one to apply and to buff?

I would have a dedicated applicator for each step, but that's just me.

 

[Rat Pack Racing]

Are they reusable?

 

[Mojo Racing]

Are they reusable?

Oh yeah ! you can use them a number of times, no problem.