a release agent applicator applies release agent to an imaging drum and absorbs release agent metered from the drum to extend the operational life of a image drum maintenance unit . the applicator includes a reservoir for storing release agent , the reservoir having a plurality of perforations for enabling release agent to seep from the reservoir , a containment membrane mounted to the reservoir for wicking release agent from the perforations of the reservoir , and a delivery layer mounted to the containment membrane for delivering release agent from the containment membrane to an imaging drum that is in contact with the delivery layer . the delivery layer is matched to the containment membrane to maintain a saturation rate for the delivery layer in a predetermined range and the delivery layer has an uptake rate for release agent contacting an external boundary of the delivery layer that is greater than a release agent supply rate from the containment membrane to the delivery layer .