Applicator for wipe on/rub in finishes

If you use wipe on or rub in finishes like Dingo tone, Minwax, shellac, ink , stains etc, this might help you with making an applicator.

I was taught this by a guy who taught me French polishing.

Take a piece of lint free cloth, old T shirt works well, make a square about the size of a small handkerchief, this will be the outside layer of the applicator - the bit in contact with the finished surface.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...Guitar/008.jpg

Scrunch up some more and put it in the middle.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...Guitar/009.jpg

Tie it up and make like a Christmas pudding. Make sure that whatever you use for a tie doesn't dissolve or react with the finish you are using.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...Guitar/010.jpg

The ball has to be tight enough to hold shape, but too tight will make the finish streaky and is a bit like spreading butter with a golf ball...
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...Guitar/012.jpg

Put some of your finish in a jar that has an air tight lid. This stops the whole lot from drying out and going hard between applications.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...Guitar/021.jpg

Put in your applicator, most of this will soak up initially.

Keep it with some finish in the bottom, helps with the drying out thing....
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...Guitar/020.jpg

If the applicator applies too much, wipe off again with a clean piece of cloth.

I have found that with things like ink, a bunched up cloth worked better for application, and the applicator spreads it around better.

Take from it what you will, hope it helps