Thanks for pursuing my struts query, I'm just sitting on them for a while, I'll probably sell them on ebay again soon. I need new tyres desperately, but Mrs R is putting the blockers on any "unnecessary" expenditure (her new BMW 120d is not unnecessary, of course).

As for the applicators, use without fear. They don't scratch, although the foam is supposed to have a very slight "cut", but not enough to mark the paint. Also the product acts as a lubricant. You won't regret switching to the foam pads, much better, and it doesn't ruin your towels. You can put the foam pads in the wash, too, and they come up OK.

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190