I have a towel problem...
Background....
I own a 2011 F150 crewcab and 2014 Explorer. About two months ago I polished them, truck with Ultimate Polish, Griot`s cleaner was on the explorer. Used a HF DA with HF Orange pads (I know the pads are junk and they won`t be used again) and the process went well. I finished both with Ultimate Was.
One week later I used Meguiars Fast Finish. Maintenance washing typically with ONR GD method as I have for years.
I am using yellow Costco mf for my washes and haven`t had any issues that I have seen with them in the last 4 years or so.
Saturday I got the explorer in the garage after the kids went to bed, washed and found some what I will call "scratches". I believe they are from my drying waffle weave. I don`t like them as they are cheap and feel "prickly" if that is a word I can use. Rough would maybe work.
I feel I am inducing these with the drying process. They weren`t there the last wash from my memory.
Now, I know there is a drying towel "showdown" in the works and I am watching it but I am wanting to pull the trigger before this is done I am thinking.
I would like to buy at least 3 drying, does anybody have one they wouldn`t live without? Should I buy 3 different ones and see which one I like for done the road? Are there any "clunkers" I need to flat stay away from?
I am like any other working man with a wife and two kids so no money tree but maybe I buy two now and add later. Just intimidating with the amount of towels out there.
I hope this rambling mess makes sense to someone.
KM
Re: I have a towel problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
screeby
Background....
I own a 2011 F150 crewcab and 2014 Explorer. About two months ago I polished them, truck with Ultimate Polish, Griot`s cleaner was on the explorer. Used a HF DA with HF Orange pads (I know the pads are junk and they won`t be used again) and the process went well. I finished both with Ultimate Was.
One week later I used Meguiars Fast Finish. Maintenance washing typically with ONR GD method as I have for years.
I am using yellow Costco mf for my washes and haven`t had any issues that I have seen with them in the last 4 years or so.
Saturday I got the explorer in the garage after the kids went to bed, washed and found some what I will call "scratches". I believe they are from my drying waffle weave. I don`t like them as they are cheap and feel "prickly" if that is a word I can use. Rough would maybe work.
I feel I am inducing these with the drying process. They weren`t there the last wash from my memory.
Now, I know there is a drying towel "showdown" in the works and I am watching it but I am wanting to pull the trigger before this is done I am thinking.
I would like to buy at least 3 drying, does anybody have one they wouldn`t live without? Should I buy 3 different ones and see which one I like for done the road? Are there any "clunkers" I need to flat stay away from?
I am like any other working man with a wife and two kids so no money tree but maybe I buy two now and add later. Just intimidating with the amount of towels out there.
I hope this rambling mess makes sense to someone.
KM
This morning I posted a table of all the towels in testing. Take a look and decide from that. They are all good towels. It really depends on your budget at this point, some at pretty damn good prices for what you get.
Keep in mind the intended use. Some are for regular washes type and some are better for WW or RW.
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Re: I have a towel problem...
I personally don’t think all waffle weaves are created equal. With that being said I like meguiars waffles without the border and the rag company waffles, they seem like they are pretty soft. I very rarely used ww on the paint anymore and only used them on glass since they leave it streak and lint free. IMO they feel grabby on the paint.
For paint Griots PFM or the big blue towel are my favorites, they both have their advantages. I also like the pluffle, On the other hand I don’t care much for the rag companies twistress. It doesn’t feel plush to me, I might try the twist n shout which looks a little nicer or wait on the review. The rag company has great products and excellent customer service, so you can’t go wrong buying from them.
Re: I have a towel problem...
Get yourself some the rag company twistress towels and you will be good. Just remember pull the towel over paint. Dont use more than towel pressure. On soft black paints its difficult. I had an Infiniti car that was black and it hard to dry mar free. I purchased a master blaster to help.
Re: I have a towel problem...
I liked the microfiber madness waffle weaves. Sorta pricey though. I bought a twistress to try out though. Can`t stomach that cost of the microfiber madness towels again lol.
The meguiars waffle weaves are ok for me. Mine are a little bit older now but they don`t hold much water. I have some guzzlers too, they`re in the middle of the pack for me.
I really feel most of the swirls I get are from drying towels, either pressing too hard or going over the same section too often. My car is a daily driver so I don`t really get too too concerned w light minor swirls that will be taken out w a light polish. My car is also a lease so I don`t get too wrapped up in perfect paint Bc the car won`t be mine for long.
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Re: I have a towel problem...
What towel were you using to dry with before that wasn’t causing the scratches when drying ?
I had the same problem with some waffle weaves.
Have you watched any videos on proper towel drying. It sounds silly but I didn’t know the proper method lol
There is method where you just lay the entire towel flat on the vehicle and sorta pat or press on the towel to absorb the water without moving it what so ever. Most waffle weaves are best at this. There is a method where you place the towel on the panel and then pull by the corners close to you dragging it across like you are pulling a table cloth across a table with just the weight of the towel on the paint to absorb the water. Some towels are good at this.
It almost seems to be an either or. Just depending on what towel you get
Me I was just folding the towel and rubbing it on the paint lol well that doesn’t work apparently unless you have really tough paint and are lucky with towel selection.
So you have to almost determine was type of drying you want. Then pick a towel
Although incredibly long the two part forensic detailing towel video shows some of this technique and some reviews of towels available here
Then you have to decide if you want a giant unwieldy towel or a more manageable size.
There is waffle weave, Fluffy/plush, twisted loop, and a fluffy hybrid type of waffle weave off the top of my head
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Re: I have a towel problem...
Re: I have a towel problem...
Nothing touches paint in my shop but Griot’s PFM towels
Re: I have a towel problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NLove
I personally don’t think all waffle weaves are created equal. With that being said I like meguiars waffles without the border and the rag company waffles, they seem like they are pretty soft. I very rarely used ww on the paint anymore and only used them on glass since they leave it streak and lint free. IMO they feel grabby on the paint.
Very true. I`m shocked at the difference between the various waffle weaves. For softness, if go pluffle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NLove
For paint Griots PFM or the big blue towel are my favorites, they both have their advantages. I also like the pluffle, On the other hand I don’t care much for the rag companies twistress. It doesn’t feel plush to me, I might try the twist n shout which looks a little nicer or wait on the review. The rag company has great products and excellent customer service, so you can’t go wrong buying from them.
The Twistress is nice, about as soft as the rest of this type of towel. Picks up a good amount of water and inexpensive for what it does...
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Re: I have a towel problem...
First off, thank you to all that have replied. I honestly was not sure what type of response this type of post would get.
The responses are what I hoped for.
It appears that Griot`s and the Twistress are getting some love. Being an OTC guy mainly I am "familiar" with Meguiars products so their towel came across my mind but wasn`t sure of quality. It receiving some love is kinda interesting.
I will take a look at the towel comp post and use that to help guide me as well.
Again thanks to all that have given input as it is appreciated.
KM
Re: I have a towel problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
screeby
First off, thank you to all that have replied. I honestly was not sure what type of response this type of post would get.
The responses are what I hoped for.
It appears that Griot`s and the Twistress are getting some love. Being an OTC guy mainly I am "familiar" with Meguiars products so their towel came across my mind but wasn`t sure of quality. It receiving some love is kinda interesting.
I will take a look at the towel comp post and use that to help guide me as well.
Again thanks to all that have given input as it is appreciated.
KM
Hey KM, I tried to PM you but it says you`re not set up for it. If you`d like, I could send you a few towels. Was thinking a Big Blue, GG PFM 16x16 and a TRC Dry Me A River. Let me know man.
Re: I have a towel problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fly07sti
Hey KM, I tried to PM you but it says you`re not set up for it. If you`d like, I could send you a few towels. Was thinking a Big Blue, GG PFM 16x16 and a TRC Dry Me A River. Let me know man.
I just looked into the PM issue, and it was infact turned off. I am not sure how that happened as I have sent PM`s before on this site, they were still in there actually.
I am sending you a PM shortly.
KM
Re: I have a towel problem...
Screeby- IMO anything that touches the paint should be subjected to the CD-test. Do your WWMFs pass?
FWIW, no more Waffle Weaves for me, I do *MUCH* better with plush MF Drying Towels.
Re: I have a towel problem...
this is one massive test
thanks for the undertaking
you might consider finding a semi truck and trailer and some scaffolding and a long water hose for this test :)
Re: I have a towel problem...
I am with Accum. No waffles for me for drying. I am partial to the Woobie Plush MF for several reasons. One, the Woobie Plush dries very easily without much pressure and is super absorbant. Also, with it being edgeless, this reduces the ability of the MF to scratch due to the lack of stitching for the edging. Also, when drying, you can use a quick detailer or spray wax to assist with the lubrication when drying to help minimize scratching. As backwards as this may seem as well, I will always first rinse the MF, wring it out and then apply a quick detailer or spray wax directly to the MF and work it into the MF a little to make sure I am not drying with a dry MF. Even though it is wet, it still dries very well. I will often apply additional detail spray or spray wax directly to the surface when drying. This is just my personal technique and it has worked well for me for many years to greatly reduce drying induced scratches.
I hope this helps.