I do a lot of work with thickened epoxy in the course of my work, and in hobby work. I don't worry about re-using applicators except for maybe large messy repeating operations like coating boat hulls and such. For smearing into small cavities I'll take a minute to shave a popsicle stick into a custom applicator and throw it away when done. That or wipe it off with a solvent rag and toss it someplace where I'll have it handy the next time. Or not.
Over the last 25 years or so I've personally consumed a couple 50 gallon drums of epoxy, and applicator ressurection was never foremost in my mind.
