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1, 2, 3 buckets...doesn't ANYONE just wring out & rinse their sponge/wash mitts anymore?
I AM getting rid of my 25-year-old synthetic chamois and buying a drying towel after reading this Topic.
I still wash my cars with my synthetic mitt and dry with the synthetic chamois. I have two of both and I wash them all of the time. 20 years old also and doesn't swirl the paint either.
Surface contact area is the difference.
A good drying MF towel has a higher surface area to absorb water but only the 'fingers' of the fibres touch the painted surface.
If there is anything picked up from the painted surface it can move between the fibres and avoid direction friction with surface.
Ultimately, it is the effective surface area of a good MF towel that makes it so effective (emphasis on good).
I use this one and it is incredible. As it absorbs it gets heavier and you need only drag it across the panel surface by holding the edges as opposed to applying direct pressure by the palm of your hand. https://www.liquidelements.de/en/mic...gsm-borderless
However having said all that, the gold standard is contactless drying. https://ibigboi.com/products/blowrpro
I use this on the Jag.
Surface contact area is the difference.
A good drying MF towel has a higher surface area to absorb water but only the 'fingers' of the fibres touch the painted surface.
If there is anything picked up from the painted surface it can move between the fibres and avoid direction friction with surface.
Ultimately, it is the effective surface area of a good MF towel that makes it so effective (emphasis on good).
I use this one and it is incredible. As it absorbs it gets heavier and you need only drag it across the panel surface by holding the edges as opposed to applying direct pressure by the palm of your hand. https://www.liquidelements.de/en/mic...gsm-borderless
However having said all that, the gold standard is contactless drying. https://ibigboi.com/products/blowrpro
I use this on the Jag.
Well said - the drying towels I use are large and only require one pass and can do a larger surface area than a chamois - that's why you have to ring it out repeatedly - The Jag uses one drying towel only; the other cars require a bit more, so I generally use 2 or 3 depending on how many I was at once. Also, ceramic coating pushes the water off so there isn't a lot left on the surface which helps.
For me not much though we have a whole house filter so I wash with good water, sponge, regulars (sp?), then take a run to shake the water off, dry any residual spots with a damp microfibre towel. Once every few washes I spray a bit of polish angel wax on in the drying phase and wipe it off as I dry, really the whole exercise wouldn't take 10 minutes every month or two and the car looks brand new, and because there is no silicone and very little buffing, it doesn't attract dust so I get longer between washes. https://www.esotericcarcare.com/polishangel-rapidwaxx/
What's changed? Everything. Car soap formulations are endless and mostly good quality. The towels are advanced beyond belief. If you told me 30 years ago that polyester would dry your car, or keep you warm (Hot Chilis?), the response would be offensive.
My recent routine: Chemical Guys Gold, cheap Amazon foam gun on a hose, sheepskin mitt for the body, separate mitt or brush for wheels, Rag Company Gauntlet for drying, separate micro for wheels. This morning I used P&S bead maker, sprayed it on wet after rinsing. It's ok stuff, I won't buy it again. I covered it this morning with a fitted Carscover.com I bought on Amazon. It's a better cover than I thought it would be. Every few washes I coat it with Collinite insulator liquid wax. It has a warm glow in low light. For comparison, I have washed my Tundra twice in six years. My dog gets washed as needed.
Very seldom need to actually wash my vehicles, living in Florida! After first wash, blow dry car, then apply a 10 minute polymer paint sealer, and walk away! Then weekly, or when needed, I rinse the car, blow dry, and most of the time apply another coat of the paint sealant, because it is so easy! Just lightly spray micro fiber applicator, and car, wipe it on, and you are done! No wiping off! I used to use Rejex, but this protects as well, without the hard work! Totally shines and protects all surfaces! Great product! I don't know, if we are allowed to give product names, so if a moderator gives me the OK, I will post the name of the product I use.
Last edited by newskatercat; Aug 12, 2022 at 09:19 PM.
Reason: Picture of product used.
I've been hand washing cars for 50 years, but when I got this car, I really had to step up my game. The Santorini Black is stunning when clean and polished, but it's a lot of work!
I'm trying out Turtle brand "Black Wax" before Saturday's Concours. Also, I like the Turtle brand window cleaner. I got a long handle padded brush for cleaning deep in the wheels (barrels), a special brush for cleaning the lug nuts and the counterbores in the wheels, and a stack of various microfiber towels. This drying gun has been an excellent addition to my arsenal of detailing tools. https://www.griotsgarage.com/airstream-drying-gun/
I was given a free sample of Mother's Waterless Car Wash. If we don't get some rain soon, I may have to try it ;-)
My favorite hobby is dewtailing my cars. I do tend to geek out on it a bit but in trying to keep it real, I would say, please do not use the California water blade. Beyond that, this is my go to site for all things detailing...
It is a retail site but there are tons of video's on everything from washing, waxing to swirl & scratch removal and applying ceramic coatings. I have learned from the videos how to repair rock chips and scratches to the point they are 100% invisible though it is a process.
My favorite hobby is dewtailing my cars. I do tend to geek out on it a bit but in trying to keep it real, I would say, please do not use the California water blade. Beyond that, this is my go to site for all things detailing...
It is a retail site but there are tons of video's on everything from washing, waxing to swirl & scratch removal and applying ceramic coatings. I have learned from the videos how to repair rock chips and scratches to the point they are 100% invisible though it is a process.
Hope this is helpful. Cheers.
Sweet, I will try that site. My F Type is almost flawless, but the mustang has some chips and marks which I would like to correct without spending a bomb.
