Micro fiber cloths suck

[esscolab]

I've tried 3 different types and all of them are sh£%!!!

From my experience they just smear the paintwork and absorb very little. Even the ones that say they are for buffing/polishing after waxing the paintwork seem to just leave loads of small fibers on the bodywork. This is particularly noticeable on black.

Gone back to the good old Chamois and cotton mitt.

Anyone else having poor results with micro fiber cloths ?

[jkp1187]

I have several that are good for the initial wipe down to get rid of 80% of the water, then use terrycloth for the final detail work. You're right, though, no good for the finishing things off.

[Lester]

100% cotton towels are the best. Buy cheap ones on sale, check the labels for 100% cotton.

[BlackjackMulligan]

Be sure to wash your microfiber towels before use. This should help with the residual fibers and make them softer and more absorbant to help with the scratching.

I've had pretty good luck with higher quality MFs in the past.

[bman6074]

I little note about washing and drying any clothes for your cars. DON"T USE FABRIC SOFTNER if you are using them for water absorption, it respells water. Now it won't repel all the water but it will make the initial absorption slower. Once the water has diluted the softener enough then the tower will work as normal

[schleppcar]

Micro fiber cloths don't seem that super at drying off the car at times but this can also be a factor of temperature too.

Now - I believe solidly that SHAM WOW (Made In Germany) towels for all their hype are the most miserable excuses for "towels" ever! VIVA would be better! The only correct part of that product's name is the "Sham" part!

[TP 135i]

I actually use the multiple microfiber towel method.
I bought 2 packs of 8 towels that are about 16-inches square each.
Each section of the car gets at least 2 towels. One to get most of the water off and the other to finish. Right hand gets the wet, left hand finishes. I works quite well and for each section you are using a nice new clean towel.
And I also agree.....Don't use fabric softener...It greatly reduces the towels effectiveness.

I've also been told not to wash and dry them with anything else...something about picking up fibers from the other materials.

[Linoleum87]

Originally Posted by schleppcar

Micro fiber cloths don't seem that super at drying off the car at times but this can also be a factor of temperature too.

Now - I believe solidly that SHAM WOW (Made In Germany) towels for all their hype are the most miserable excuses for "towels" ever! VIVA would be better! The only correct part of that product's name is the "Sham" part!

Good to know! I was actually looking forward to it warming up to try out the sham wows on the car...but now I wont even bother.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by schleppcar

Now - I believe solidly that SHAM WOW (Made In Germany) towels for all their hype are the most miserable excuses for "towels" ever! VIVA would be better! The only correct part of that product's name is the "Sham" part!

I'm skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true but....having said that...have you actually tried them?

EDIT: Popular Mechanics Review:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4294482.html

[snkeyez95]

I've used these MF towels from Griotts Garage. In conjunction with the water blader. Use one towel to dry entire car.http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rying+towel.do
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...nt+squeegee.do

[mynew135]

I use Big Blue microfiber. As the other posters said, wash first and DO NOT use fabric softener. I've yet to have to wring my Big Blue out when drying the car. Love it.

[G5Ti]

I hated microfiber towels until I received some in a kit from Griot's. Then I ended up purchasing some 40-50 of them in different lofts for various purposes. They are really, really nice and do an excellent job drying, buffing, polishing, etc.

After a few uses, they lost some of their effectiveness so I purchased the specific microfiber cleaner; not sure what's in it, but it made them like new again. Great combo, great company to work with.

I'd guess the stuff from detailer's domain is equally as good.

[schleppcar]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

I'm skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true but....having said that...have you actually tried them?

EDIT: Popular Mechanics Review:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4294482.html

Yes! I bought into the hypnotic power of the Billy Mays! I actually picked up a box from Target - TERRIBLE! At first I thought - maybe they have to be wet first ... well that's the real trick! They have the texture of a camel hair coat and repel (yes, actually repel) water!

[bman6074]

If you watch very closely during the commercial for shamwow you can see when he pours the soda on the carpet. Then he lifts up the rug to show you cola under it and you get a another camera angle. When the camera angle returns to the original straight on shot there is no more over flow of cola under the rug. Definitely an edit in filming. This is how they make it look like it soaked up the cola from under the rug. After I noticed that I new something was up and never bought them. If anything they are definitely a sham.

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by mynew135

I use Big Blue microfiber. As the other posters said, wash first and DO NOT use fabric softener. I've yet to have to wring my Big Blue out when drying the car. Love it.

I use Big Blues too. 2 per car usually, one to get water off, then a basically dry one to finish all the details.

[vanbmw]

I have some microfibre drying towles from Mequires and they work well. I got 4 of them and it takes 2 to get the car vertually dry and the 3rd makes sure it is perfect. So far my finish looks good...no swirls or scratches from the towels. I used good quality cotton towles on my last car and I think the microfibres absorb almost as well but they seem to glide over the paint better. I would recommend the microfibres.

[Linoleum87]

Originally Posted by schleppcar

Yes! I bought into the hypnotic power of the Billy Mays! I actually picked up a box from Target - TERRIBLE! At first I thought - maybe they have to be wet first ... well that's the real trick! They have the texture of a camel hair coat and repel (yes, actually repel) water!

Those Billy Mays ones are different. They are called Zorbeez and they are terrible. The sham wows are somewhat better, but I have yet to use them on a car.
Damn that Billy Mays...

[penny]

I use the California Blade for the initial drying. It glides over the surface smoothly if the car is still wet and removes about 95% of the water. Then the MF cloth goes in for final drying. Probably cut down 75% of drying time.

...I honestly think if I used only MF cloth for drying, I'd get way more swirl marks.

[lannypoffo]

i found the California Blade was way too sticky to glide smoothly. so it felt like its marring the paint.

[vanbmw]

My father inlaw bought a gas powered blower specifically to dry his cars with. He gives the car a good "blow" first then follows up with a good microfibre cloth. Seems to work well.

[Red135]

I use microfiber for drying / polishing, etc. I love them. I do the whole car with one towel, no fibers or streaks left behind.

[penny]

Originally Posted by lannypoffo

i found the California Blade was way too sticky to glide smoothly. so it felt like its marring the paint.

The trick is to mist the car after the final rinse. This will keep the car wet enough so the California Blade can glide smoothly. I agree, when the car is not wet enough the blade is way too sticky.