I've been using a variety of MF towels that I bought from CMA and decided to see if they still held up to the CD test. Unfortunately, even the acclamed "Miracle Towel" is scratching CD's pretty badly now. I've only used it maybe 5 or 6 times so far. Could something be wrong with the way I wash them? I machine wash in warm water with liquid detergent in the regular cycle (slow/fast) and always do a second rinse. I then hang them to air dry. I wash after every usage. Could it just be the hard water leaving mineral deposits in the towels? I'm worried that my towels are doing more harm than good now. Any thoughts? Thanks.
MF towels are failing the CD test after several uses?
- Thread starter PhilUp
- Start date
armoredsaint
New member
Honestly, if you rub hard enough anything will scratch a CD, only air won't scratch it!
disasnguy
Obsessed Detailer
i think they loose their softness after a while. i've tried some old pakshaks on cds and they marred. luckily i had some news ones on hand and tried those. what do ya know? no marring!
huangdong28
New member
Is the fiber hardening, or is dirt getting embedded in the weave and not washing out?
There is very hard water in Houston and I believe the MF hardening is because when the towel is being dried, the disolved minearals are remaining in the towel. When next I wash the towels, I will do it in the clean kitchen sink using just distilled water and a little Woolite. Then rinse in distilled water and air dry.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Gonzo- Report back on your results, sounds like a not-too-uncommon problem.
Everyone should take note of what armoredsaintt said. The CD test *IS* useful, but MOST of today's automotive paints are harder than the surface of a CD. Scratching a CD does not AUTOMATICALLY mean a marred finish; it should be one part of a bigger picture.
Everyone should take note of what armoredsaintt said. The CD test *IS* useful, but MOST of today's automotive paints are harder than the surface of a CD. Scratching a CD does not AUTOMATICALLY mean a marred finish; it should be one part of a bigger picture.
I have a variety of towels from cheap to expensive. We have pretty decent water here. I've had some towels over a year, with multiple washes, that are still good. The only problem with some of them is that with too many washes, they get a bit threadbare relative to newer mfs. When they stop "sticking" to my fingers, I start using them for glass and interior.
Tom
Tom
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Quote: MF towels are failing the CD test after several uses?
~One mans opinion / observation~
Add a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar in place of a softener, the vinegar doesn't coat the fibres but instead works to eliminate detergent residue, this being mildly acidic may also help with calcium deposits
~Hope this helps~
Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/
justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*
~One mans opinion / observation~
Add a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar in place of a softener, the vinegar doesn't coat the fibres but instead works to eliminate detergent residue, this being mildly acidic may also help with calcium deposits
~Hope this helps~
Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/
justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*
I have been testing the Micro-Restore product that Ian is selling on www.autofiber.com. I have to say that I am very impressed with its ability to clean and restore fiber softness. I took a pile of mf towels that were in my dead rag pile (now used in the kitchen/batchroom) and it brought most of them back to life.
I will be doing a review of the product and how it works in a comming issue of Better Car Care. For now, take my word that this is the best cleaner I have found to date for microfiber and cotton toweling. It seems to have the most dramatic impact if you have very hard water (my case).
I will be doing a review of the product and how it works in a comming issue of Better Car Care. For now, take my word that this is the best cleaner I have found to date for microfiber and cotton toweling. It seems to have the most dramatic impact if you have very hard water (my case).
imported_memnuts
New member
Accumulator said:
Excellent point Accumulator. :bow :bow
Yes, this is a very good point, and one that is forgotten every so often.Accumulator said:
I can't remember which long-time member said this so long ago in an Archived thread somewhere, but to paraphrase, "If it doesn't scratch the CD, it is safe. If it scratches the CD then more testing is warranted."
armoredsaintt said:
Not true dude! I tried scrubbing the hell out of a CD with both a brand new towel and one a couple years old washed at least 30 times...they would not scratch...and I have the hardest water, bar none, that I have ever seen...well water in NJ...friggin horrible with calcium...but like I said...no scratches with cotton (100% USA that is) read this:
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34481
My 2 cents on Accumulator's post...too right...BUT if something scratches a CD I can't help but be a little cautious about using it on my brand spankin new black car...know what I mean...?