Foam core towel...Opinions please!!

[cwcad]

I just recieved my order of foam core WW towels from Scott at Specialty Motoring Product in Houston. It was fast an efficient service and delivery.

The reason for the thread is that I was talking about ideas that come to my head about different kind of products with Scott. I had asked him why the foam core towel is not the talk of the forums. I personally think it is a great towels for all kinds of different processes. It is, of course, a drying towel first. I also use it with S&W for a quick detail. I have found it to be a good towel for S&G applications as well. Of course, I know that this is just my opinion of the product.

Now I am looking for opinions from other detailers as to what they like or dislike about the product. It is a bulky towel. Some may not like that fact. For me the thicker towel is easier to handle with my fat hands and fingers. It is very comfortable for me to hold. I like the foam because it holds the product so, as you continue with the wipe down, less product can be used for each panel.

I also asked Scott about the possibility of a towel like the DMT towel could not be made with the foam core. I would be very interested in the towel for Beta testing. He said he would make inquiries into the possibility. I told him that I would be willing to spend my money on the Beta product. In this case I am willing to put my money where my mouth is.

Is there anyone out that that is intrigued with this idea as much as I am?

 

[budman3]

I honestly never gave it much of a thought...

Now that I am thinking about it, I tried using a cheap WW towel with my QEW washes and it did a very nice job. I would think that this product may be even better with QEW washings. It'll probably hold more solution allowing more lubricity to the paint = less chances of marring. I haven't used the foam core WW towel so don't hold me accountable if it doesn't work.... but I can't see why it wouldn't.

 

[CharlesW]

A good friend of mine gave me one of these some time back )) and while it is a great drying towel, I never considered using it for any other purpose.

I seem to have it in my head that waffle weave towels are great for drying and windows, but I use regular terry MFs for everything else.

With S&W or QEW, I would be concerned that the WW towel wouldn't have enough nap for the dirt picked up to be kept away from the paint. Same with a QD, but to a lesser extent.

Kirk: If you are using it on that black truck, it must be working.

Charles

 

[cwcad]

Kirk: If you are using it on that black truck, it must be working.

Charles

Yes, I use it often with S&W. Since I only had two left from my original order it was only once a week because I usually wash towels once a week.

I think that I have mentioned that I do induce marring on the black truck. The marring is no more prevalent with the foam core towel than a plush Microfiber towel. I have used it in the most extreme conditions as well. With those extreme conditions I usually am polishing after the clean up to maintain the surface of the paint. I think the S&W wipe down is easier and faster than a complete wash and dry. I apply S&G with the foam coe towel then dry with a plush MF towel.

 

[pogo123]

When I tried using my regular WW with QD or spray wax they worked well, but they seem to lose their absorbancy after a few uses. I've had to wash them with apc in the washing machine several times to get them absorbant again. Do you notice this problem with the foam core towels?

 

[cwcad]

Pogo123, I have to say that I have not met with that experience with any of my WW towels.

some of my older non foam core WW towels are now thinner from use and wear. Hence they are not as absorbent as they once were. My foam core towels are only about a year old and definitely have not had as much use as my older WW towels.

 

[DFTowel]

Explain this towel to me... is it a thin layer of foam sandwiched between two layers of fabric? If so, can you separate them by pulling them apart or are they fused together? How do you wash it?

Understand that a WW does not absorb any better than a terry or other weave, it's just that it squeegees the water up into it's pockets giving it time to absorb which is why they work so well. If there is foam in there that further pulls it away from the fabric.

Leo

 

[jaybs02]

There was another thread about them butit may have gotten lost in one of the upgrades, but I think the product that Kirk is talking about is similar to this one
http://www.detailcity.org/forums/detailing-product-discussion-misc/16494-viking-foam-core-ww-drying-towel.html?highlight=Foam+WW

I think I too asked about it seperating and I was told that it could not happen

"J"

 

[cwcad]

Explain this towel to me... is it a thin layer of foam sandwiched between two layers of fabric? If so, can you separate them by pulling them apart or are they fused together? How do you wash it?

Understand that a WW does not absorb any better than a terry or other weave, it's just that it squeegees the water up into it's pockets giving it time to absorb which is why they work so well. If there is foam in there that further pulls it away from the fabric.

Leo

The short answer to all of your questions....YUP.

It is two WW towels sewn together with a small foam core. All held togehter by a nice silk edging.

I wash and dry the towel the same way I do any other type of
MF towel. Some have mentioned that is does not rinse clean but I have not noticed that particular effect on my towels.

By your own discription of the towel that is the way it works when using it for a QD wipedown. As you continue around the vehicle doing a panel at a time the foamcore eventually becomes soaked and it helps spread the product without smearing. It is hard to explain but when a plush MF towel gets to wet I do not like it when I am trying to do a wipe down. Using the foam core WW towel the towel never gets to wet. Foam absorbs the product. The towel is big enough to be folded to allow eight cleaning areas. That is enough to do most cars a panel at a time. It takes two towels to do my truck. I use a plush MF towel to dry and a foam core ww to apply.

Wether I described it well enough is probably up for speculation but the towel really does work when used in a systematic and careful application for QD'ing as well as S&W wipedowns. Have never used it in a QEW situation but would imagine that it would work when done carefully. When a section of the towel gets dirty in an S&W application just turn the towel like you would any other MF towel. Except the towel does not get overly wet on the back side. So when you turn it over you really have a fresh towel to work with. If doing a S&G wipedown the surface is already clean and you are trying to put a little gloss on the paint. So the more panels that you do the less product is needed to get the S&W on the paint.

The process works for me.

 

[DFTowel]

...All held togehter by a nice silk edging.

Interesting concept. But I highly doubt the edge binding is silk! Probably polyester or nylon satin.

Another question, have you washed it many times? I'm curious how the bond between the layers holds up after many times folding, rubbing, washes etc.

 

[cwcad]

Interesting concept. But I highly doubt the edge binding is silk! Probably polyester or nylon satin.

Another question, have you washed it many times? I'm curious how the bond between the layers holds up after many times folding, rubbing, washes etc.

Ok I will stand corrected on the silk edging. It appears to be silky. I do not know for sure. What ever the binding and the towel stays together and works like a charm. It has been put thru my paces in variable conditions. Except for the various times that I have caught a badge or something sharp, where upon a strand appears, the towels have held up as well as waffle weaves that I have. In the last year I am sure that they have been washed at least 20 times. Most likely more but at least that many times.

There is not any sign of the foam moving or separating.

 

[palomino]

Another question, have you washed it many times? I'm curious how the bond between the layers holds up after many times folding, rubbing, washes etc.

i have had one for about 6 months and it seems to holding up well. its not coming apart at all.

i love this towel, and will be ordering a bigger one next time i order supplies.

the edging feels like satin to me.