Yep Mike, Bob actually showed me at Team Chevelle before that! I have already apologized to him for not giving him the credit.
On cleaning the tools, I personally clean the spreader, the putty knife and the board all before the filler be it regular filler or polyester putty hardens.
I have a previously used scuff pad (no need to use a new one) and simply lay it on top of the board with the tools and squirt some lacquer thinner out of an old rubbing compound bottle on to it. Scrub the tools and the board and then wipe them off with a rag.
I don't like to bend them, to get it off because I want the tools straight until I want to bend them for a particular job.
Brian