MyI’ve used quite a few different towel types for rinseless over the years. Always trying the latest thing. At least towel collecting is relatively cheap compared to other hobbies. I use the Gary Dean bucket of towels method. I prefer a thicker towel, but the length of the nap/pile plays into it heavily for me. Some of the higher gsm towels have longer fibers than others. Longer fibers lay flat when wet and to me it doesn’t seem like they are picking up dirt and holding on to it. the right length of fiber seems more like it is brushing the surface (safely) and distributing the dirt over the entire surface of the towel. With longer fibers I find that the leading edge of the towel does all the work and you are pushing a line of dirt across the panel, although gently rolling your hand as you move the towel helps.
The second factor for me is that the towel needs to retain some shape when wet. Too thin of a towel will make it a “squishy” lump when wet. I squeeze the towel, not wring it out, just to the point that it isn’t dripping heavily. Some people like the blue/grey 700’s from PBMG, but to me these fall into the squishy category. Too thick on the other hand and you have a huge heavy lump that you can’t maneuver or use effectively on side panels. Perfect example of this was the CG Sasquatch towel, 800 gsm with extra long pile- heavy squishy lump; won’t conform to curves, total waste of time.
So, the best towel is a balance, and everyone will have their own preferences and value different things.
Here Is my take on some of the towels I have used recently.
Hands down the best combo of towel heft and proper fiber length is the navy blue microfiber madness 800’s. Substantial, and keep enough shape that they are easy to hold. The negative is that they are $15 per towel.
Runner up are the green 600 dual plush from microfiber tech. These also hold their shape enough to be able to hold in your hand, and the fiber length is perfect for rinseless. These are the ones with the green borders. Microfibertech also sells green 600’s with white borders - I have those too and they are not good. The white border ones are two towels sewn together and the two sides separate so that the towel won’t fold or lay flat. Avoid those, get the greens with green border if buying from MFT.
TRC had a towel called Everest that was 800, but the fibers aren’t super long. This towel didn’t glide along the surface as well for me as the above two, but with a slick LSP they come into their own. The ones I have are all white, but the ones on TRC’s site now have a black border. Not sure if the towel is the same.
TRC creature. Just picked up some of these to try out and used yesterday for 6he first time. Very squishy and won’t hold their shape. won’t be using them again for RW. Might be a great QD type towel though. Haven’t used them for that.
PBMG purple 600’s. Not bad, this towel is easy to maneuver for bumpers and valences.
The one TRC towel I haven’t used is the TRC eagle. It’s odd I don’t have any, I have ordered towels from TRC a half dozen times but have never bought those.
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