Mothers.
MY examples:
I don't run a CAT so the get black after some driving and some WOT runs. Mothers helps them clean up very nice each and every time. Even if you slack off, say for a whole year...they still come clean.
I use an old tooth brush to "massage" the compound all around on the tip, and then a few clean cotton towels to wipe clean if that helps you.
I even use it on my cars paint just above the tip cause sometimes that gets a little dirty, and takes it right off, and does not damage the paint at all.
~F~