JasonD
09-23-2004, 05:31 PM
As some of you may or may not know, I recently did a detail on my father`s black F150 and used the exact same process I have used at least a dozen times, and for some reason this particular detail ended up with very faint scuff marks on the paint at certain angles. At first I was thinking that I did something wrong, or that I didn`t polish long enough but after a few tests I have come to the conclusion that it was my mf towels that were causing this. The main reason I know this is because I just got a few new ones in yesterday and the new ones are a whole lot softer compared to my older ones, which aren`t that old.
After asking lots of questions (special thanks to Accumulator :xyxthumbs ) and getting great advice from everyone, I have determined that my towels are harder because of the way I am washing them. First of all, I am using powdered detergent :o , I know, it`s a :nono but I did it anyway. I normally wash on Hot and double rinse on Warm, then dry on low heat, no dryer sheets or anything. I thought this process was working fine until the streaking began. Following everyone`s instructions, I went to the grocery and bought some Distilled Vinegar (5% acidity) to help break down the detergents. First, I washed the towels with half the normal amount of detergent I normally use with hot water and let it run. When it got to the first rinse cycle I put the vinegar in and let it run completely through that cycle plus one more with just water. Next, I started the washer completely over, except no soap/detergents at all, only vinegar and watched it as it filled up. To my surprise, when the washer started......suds everywhere, almost like I put a whole scoop of detergent in with it. Here I am two complete washing cycles and four rinsing cycles later and they are STILL foaming with soap. I can completely see why I was getting streaks and why my towels were getting harder.
Most people don`t normally watch their towels washing in the machine, but we really should start. I don`t know how many cycles it`s going to take to get all the soap out but I am just going to keep going until I see plain water and will let everyone know how many that actually takes.
By the way, I have micro-restore on the way so the regular detergent is out the window from now on.
After asking lots of questions (special thanks to Accumulator :xyxthumbs ) and getting great advice from everyone, I have determined that my towels are harder because of the way I am washing them. First of all, I am using powdered detergent :o , I know, it`s a :nono but I did it anyway. I normally wash on Hot and double rinse on Warm, then dry on low heat, no dryer sheets or anything. I thought this process was working fine until the streaking began. Following everyone`s instructions, I went to the grocery and bought some Distilled Vinegar (5% acidity) to help break down the detergents. First, I washed the towels with half the normal amount of detergent I normally use with hot water and let it run. When it got to the first rinse cycle I put the vinegar in and let it run completely through that cycle plus one more with just water. Next, I started the washer completely over, except no soap/detergents at all, only vinegar and watched it as it filled up. To my surprise, when the washer started......suds everywhere, almost like I put a whole scoop of detergent in with it. Here I am two complete washing cycles and four rinsing cycles later and they are STILL foaming with soap. I can completely see why I was getting streaks and why my towels were getting harder.
Most people don`t normally watch their towels washing in the machine, but we really should start. I don`t know how many cycles it`s going to take to get all the soap out but I am just going to keep going until I see plain water and will let everyone know how many that actually takes.
By the way, I have micro-restore on the way so the regular detergent is out the window from now on.