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.