Favorite Microfiber for Specific Detailing Task List (Autopian Suggestions)

Accumulator said:
On windshields, I scrub the bugs off with a Bug Sponge, which is a [freakin`] scratch-machine on paint no matter what the ad-copy says.
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You know I`m glad to see someone else say this - I`ve never had luck using a bug sponge w/o scratching paint either. The only time I even consider using a bug sponge is if I`m planning a full correction and need to knock down as much gunk as possible prior to claying.
 
poorboy- I`m currently all about plush MF Drying Towels, though I do still use a WW for the initial drying of the glass.

That DDMT is probably a bit larger than I`d prefer with the one dimension being 24"...eh, don`t I sound like an impossible to please [individual]! How is it with regard to lint? Seems like sooner or later all my MFs leave some behind.

Heh heh, just FWIW, actually I`m pretty well set on all my MFs for the next..oh...half-decade or so with the exception mentioned below, so this is all kinda just intellectual curiosity on my part anyhow. But I *am* genuinely curious as switching from WWs was a worthwhile move that I wouldn`t have made had I not gotten involved with "I`m not really gonna..." threads like this one.

For some reason I`ve just never had problems doing windows or other glass surfaces, though I sympathize with those who find it challenging (including my wife). Maybe my succes is just because I do them pretty much *every* day of my life..always some glass surface that needs something if only because of the dogs. I`m just *VERY* curious about the performance of (specifically) the GG PFM for Glass as it might be a single towel that I could use for certain situations that currently take two different ones (i.e, one plush/looped/etc. for scrubbing and one that`s not for finishing up).
 
Angus said:
You know I`m glad to see someone else say this - I`ve never had luck using a bug sponge w/o scratching paint either. The only time I even consider using a bug sponge is if I`m planning a full correction and need to knock down as much gunk as possible prior to claying.
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I don`t see how people can defend them...I mean, ?!?*WHAT*?!?....I soaked it for a long time in *HOT* water/shampoo mix and CD-testing showed it to be like using sandpaper. Cut-and-dried, utterly unambiguous, case closed.

The ValuGard Bug Pad, OTOH, did not mar Ford clear when I used it while decontaminating my Crown Vics, didn`t mar the (seemingly just as hard but who knows) repainted areas either. Surprised me as it sure seemed like it would....eh, I don`t want to sound too definitive here, but if it did mar it wasn`t nearly as bad as what I had to correct anyhow. Not saying I`d use it on perfect paint, but it`s still a whole lot better than the sponge when you need something more aggressive than the WW MFs for Bugs (forget who gave me mine as a freebie).

But then I *don`t* need anything more aggressive than that since my LSPs hold up fine to bugs and shed them readily :D
 
Rinseless/Conventional drying: I`m still playing around with this. It really, really depends on what I`m using as a drying aid. "Waxy" rinseless washes, or spray-as-you-dry sealants I find need two passes. If that`s the case I`ll use one of my 600 gsm dual-plushes, wrung out damp for the first pass in order to leave more liquid behind. Then follow with a waffle weave for the second pass. "Polymer-y" rinseless washes/qd`s I can get away with just a damp pass if the drying aid "flashes" off well. I find in this case a 325ish gsm terry weave micro works better. Larry Kosilla has a drying video that kinda explains what I`m talking about. However part of me wonders if it`s more about the weave than the gsm which would help explain why the PFM towels work so well (have not used one myself).

On a side note I`ll never again buy a monster 40x1000" "dry your semi with a single towel!" towel. Far too unwieldy. My 25x36" waffle weave is manageable, but going forward it`s probably going to be just 16x16" to 16x24" for me.


Polish/Wax/Sealant removal: 400 gsm edgeless buffing towel, soft and have great "grab"

Interior: 360 gsm single plush

Wheels/exhaust/non-scratch-sensitive bits: 300 gsm terry with heavy duty edge. I love these they`re bullet proof. I would not trust the stitching on paint, but they`re great for the "final touch" on nearly everything else, especially around wheel spokes.

Jambs: 360 gsm single plush with plenty of qd-strength rinseless.

Rinseless Washing: 600 gsm dual plush but if I were to do this again I would just go with 360 gsm single plush and just use more towels (using only the plush side, except on glass). I like my towels saturated with solution and the 600`s can be kinda hard to manage (although I got the hang of it eventually).

Glass: Usually have no problem just using my waffle but in certain cases (or on the interior glass) I`ll use a glass towel + normal micro for the second pass. The secret is following up with that second towel, the glass towel cuts through the film but I find the second towel really picks up the residue. That and I have no self control to spray glass cleaner sparingly.

Gross stuff: Costco micros or whatever else is on its last leg.
 
Oh as far as bug sponge/bug micros go - I don`t see the need. If the bug doesn`t completely come off with the pressure washer or a shot of APC, then it`s usually just a little piece of leg or whatever stuck on at that point - and that gets spot clayed.
 
Accumulator said:
I`m waiting (in vain?) to hear somebody say that there`s a plush MF Drying Towel that`s better than the PFM.
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I tried the Chemical Guys, Woolley Mammoth with my PFM. It was neck to neck but I liked the "loop construction" of the PFM over the "cut pile" of the Woollley. AutoGeek is selling a "Big Blue" that I have not tried that I`ve read glowing reviews about.....but that`s more money then the PFM.

 
John U- thanks for that comparo with the PFM.

Like DetailZeus, I prefer smaller MF Drying Towels, like the 16"x16".

DetailZeus- No problems with MF lint on your glass with that approach? Even my WWs eventually leave a little lint and all of my plush MFs do it, every single one. Admittedly the lint is often something that nobody else seems to notice even when I point it out...but it bugs me.

On the bugs, I never use APCs any more on painted surfaces, too tough on my LSPs for one thing. I do spot-clay at every wash, but doing that gently enough to not disturb the LSP is more of a hassle than a few seconds with the MF on the rare occasions that they don`t come off easier. As you can tell, I`m all about not having to reLSP for ages at a time ;) Anything more than a maintenance wash and I`m wondering what I did wrong.
 
Accumulator said:
John U- thanks for that comparo with the PFM.

Like DetailZeus, I prefer smaller MF Drying Towels, like the 16"x16".

DetailZeus- No problems with MF lint on your glass with that approach? Even my WWs eventually leave a little lint and all of my plush MFs do it, every single one. Admittedly the lint is often something that nobody else seems to notice even when I point it out...but it bugs me.
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So far so good. I tumble dry my micros on low and I think most of the lint comes off there.


On the bugs, I never use APCs any more on painted surfaces, too tough on my LSPs for one thing. I do spot-clay at every wash, but doing that gently enough to not disturb the LSP is more of a hassle than a few seconds with the MF on the rare occasions that they don`t come off easier. As you can tell, I`m all about not having to reLSP for ages at a time ;) Anything more than a maintenance wash and I`m wondering what I did wrong.
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I think we discussed this in another thread but I`m going through my "seal-as-you-dry" phase so I re-LSP pretty frequently. I find spot claying pretty quick actually, mostly because I can take care of small bits of bugs, tar, rubber, etc in one go around. Except the one time I tried to clay a paint chip. That​ didn`t come out.
 
DetailZeus- heh heh, I`m envious that you`ve avoided the lint issue! It`s not like I have a huge problem with it (nobody else sees it even when I point it out) but it simply drives me nuts, guess I have zero tolerance for it.

Heh heh#2, that was good about claying away the paint chip :D I probably overkill the !careful! thing when I spot-clay, one little speck of tar/bug can take well over a minute :o Besides not compromising my LSP I`m just sooo paranoid about instilling marring.
 
(I posted this response in another thread that was looking for link to this thread: should have done it here in the first place. So much for plagiarism!)

That also leads to the question of where many of you get your microfibers cloths and towels from. Since I cannot provide a internet link to various suppliers and vendors due to forum rules, I can provide a name, however, that you may Google (search) yourself.

The Rag Company
The Rag Shack
Towel Pros (I think the owners, Robert and Susan Regan, have their on-line ordering up and running again. It was via a filled-out customer form for awhile )
The Pakshak
Microfiber Detailing Towels, Buffing Towels, Drying Towels & Other Towels for Car Detailing (the link is OK because it supports this forum!)
Griot`s Garage (which you can buy at the Autopia Store as well)
Poorboy`s World (which you can buy at the Autopia Store as well)

Yes, there are (a lot of) other internet (on-line) detailing suppliers and vendors that many of you have used as well to buy microfibers from.
 
All the MF i have came from Autopia, with the exception of a 6 pack of Poorboy`s DMTs on the way from Poorboys themselves. For some reason, Autopia stopped carrying them. Bummed me out, not gonna lie. I reach for these more than my Supreme 530s, and they have stayed "softer/fluffier" over time compared to the 530s.

Hey Paul, any chance of bringing back the DMTs and other PB towels?

Lonnie said:
(I posted this response in another thread that was looking for link to this thread: should have done it here in the first place. So much for plagiarism!)

That also leads to the question of where many of you get your microfibers cloths and towels from. Since I cannot provide a internet link to various suppliers and vendors due to forum rules, I can provide a name, however, that you may Google (search) yourself.

The Rag Company
The Rag Shack
Towel Pros (I think the owners, Robert and Susan Regan, have their on-line ordering up and running again. It was via a filled-out customer form for awhile )
The Pakshak
Autopia Store (Support this forum!)
Griot`s Garage (which you can buy at the Autopia Store as well)
Poorboy`s World (which you can buy at the Autopia Store as well)

Yes, there are (a lot of) other internet (on-line) detailing suppliers and vendors that many of you have used as well to buy microfiber`s from.
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Lonnie- Hey, I wanted to give you your well-deserved props for wording the following correctly!
Lonnie said:
... That also leads to the question of where many of you get your microfibers cloths ...
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These days far too many people would`ve said "begs the question", which drive me nuts (as I know what "begging the question" really means and that`s not it). Oh man was I happy to read that.

Anyhoo...

Still wondering if anybody has a plush 16 x 16 MF Drying Towel that they like better than the PFM.

I haven`t decided whether I`d side with JohnU and prefer loops over cut or not...and something I read made me wonder whether the PFM would be as soft as I like (whether that "soft enough for me" would be a valid functional consideration or not is another matter, but I don`t want to even wonder about it).

Would you PFM users wipe down a Jet Black BMW with one? If not, what would you use for that kind of thing?
 
Accumulator said:
Would you wipe down a Jet Black BMW with one? If not, what would you use for that kind of thing?
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The test of time should be also addressed .. there are DMT`s being used by members here that are over 10 years old and going strong and the answer would still be yes.. they could be used on a Jet Black BMW ..
 
Accumulator said:
Would you PFM users wipe down a Jet Black BMW with one? If not, what would you use for that kind of thing?
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I can`t speak for BMW paint, but I`ve used one weekly on my Black Lacrosse with no issues. GM paint is normally rock-hard, but my Buick`s had it`s nose repainted last September, so it`s not as hard as OEM. I`ve not yet acquired an AG "big Blue" for comparison, but so far the PFM is the first choice for my black car.

Bill
 
Poorboy said:
The test of time should be also addressed .. there are DMT`s being used by members here that are over 10 years old and going strong and the answer would still be yes.. they could be used on a Jet Black BMW ..
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P8070012.jpg



P9300042.jpg
 
Here`s my "go-to" microfiber bin during use.

FMrHCeP.jpg


I carry another 2 bins of towels (one for general purpose towels, and refill towels) during most details.
 
Accumulator said:
Anyhoo...

Still wondering if anybody has a plush 16 x 16 MF Drying Towel that they like better than the PFM.

Would you PFM users wipe down a Jet Black BMW with one? If not, what would you use for that kind of thing?
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Vega. Glad to see you`re back on the forums.

In all fairness, I`m a touchless blow drying maniac, so I may not be the best to answer your question....however I am a owner of schwartz black.
Between the Griots - in which I have the PFM low cut for polish removal, I still prefer the split loops from TRC Eagles - they also make a big 2x4" Eagle Variant, and or TRC 800/1100. All sorta serve the purpose for drying for me. I blot post blow drying, but any MF that`s is going on paint, always get`s primed regardless.

The looped MF IMO, seem a touche not as soft as the latter
 
Just to make sure I`m understanding correctly:

-The "DMT" is the one from Poorboy`s, right?
-We`re talking about being optimal (superior/equal to the PFM) for *drying*, right?

While I do blow the vast majority of the water off, I then almost always add [whatever Drying Aid I`m using] so I`m still "drying liquid that`s on the paint". I`m currently satisfied with my MFMadness Dry Me Crazy ones, but am still interested in whatever might be even better. The loops and *perceived* coarse-feel of the PFMs makes me knee-jerk towards "not for me" but I don`t want to be hasty.
 
If you like the edgeless style, I have both the MFM and Eagles. Both are comparable.
Another 2 I may just grab, are some older monster fluffys or just some TRC 800 - if for any particular reason, I just like white MF - easy way of QA inspection ;-/
 
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