Polishing Question

B

Blackmirror

New member
after being on this board for i've learned a lot about car detailing and all the techniques and products everyone uses. Great board!:D



I was wondering if its ok to use those big bath towels($5 a piece) to remove polishes and waxes. they are 100% cotton too.
 
I was always thinking the same. I don't think it would hurt your paint if you did use them.



People here are really fussy, some of them like to use the best of the best, even if the difference is only something you can prove by word of mouth.



For example, some like to wait for Klasse ............. hahaha I won't even start.
 
Yes, bath towels are O.K. for removing polish or wax. Make sure they are white, and 100% cotton. Make sure you fold them so that the edges and decorative borders dont touch the paint. The edges and borders are not 100% cotton and can scratch the car. Never use fabric softener when you wash them, it may leave a film on the surface of the car.



My cotton towel of choice is Fieldcrest Charisma's. They are very thick and plush, and wont scratch the car. The are somewhat expensive in the stores ($27.99/towel) but you can get them from the Fieldcrest outlet for $9.99. I found some irregular ones at Homegoods the other day for $6.99.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by joed1228 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I was always thinking the same. I don't think it would hurt your paint if you did use them.

People here are really fussy, some of them like to use the best of the best, even if the difference is only something you can prove by word of mouth.

For example, some like to wait for Klasse ............. hahaha I won't even start. [/b]</blockquote>The reason so many of us are really fussy about towels is because of the fervent desire to avoid scratches. One of the first things I learned is that <strong class='bbc'>I'm[/b] the greatest cause of scratches on the car. The quality of what I choose to wash with, dry with, apply/remove polish with are all extremely important . . . if I'm going to be anal-retentive about how the car looks, I must be equally anal-retentive about the tools I use, or I can never satisfy my inner-primate's compulsion for shiny things. :D

Try http://www.fieldcrestcannonoutlet.com for high-quality cotton towels (many here recommend the Charisma towels, and I agree) . . . very soft and plush, and very heavyweight. You do pay for the difference, though, at $10/towel. In this case, I think you really do see the difference in price in the quality of the product.

My $.02,
Tort
 
I am as well but I don't see a difference from the best of the best towels to regular towels.



I understand your point though, a few more dollars if worth your peace of mind :)
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

The reason so many of us are really fussy about towels is because of the fervent desire to avoid scratches. One of the first things I learned is that I'm the greatest cause of scratches on the car. The quality of what I choose to wash with, dry with, apply/remove polish with are all extremely important . . . if I'm going to be anal-retentive about how the car looks, I must be equally anal-retentive about the tools I use, or I can never satisfy my inner-primate's compulsion for shiny things.</blockquote>

with regards to towels...I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. Well said Tortoise :)

For $10 Charisma IRR at Fieldcrest cannon that you can turn into 4 towels which are essentially $2.50, it doesn't get much better than that.
 
Blackmirror,I am fairly new here and have been reading lots on the Charisma's and just got my first order.The towels I have been using Royel Velvet seemed to be good but I did start to notice fine scratching in my paint.These Charisma's are extra soft,I have never even dryed myself with something this soft.Worth every penny IMO.
 
I think we may be about to up the ante. I, too, was using Royal Velvets. Then, I bought Charismas. Noticible improvement. Now, I am going to try the Charima Select. Costs very little more on a square foot basis (they are more expensive, but they are larger). I would suggest others who are comtemplating buying Charismas order the Selects so we have the viewpoint of more than one tester.
 
"Egyptian" cotton either. They are fantastic to use. I don't have Charisma's or Royel Velvet but the egyptian compete very well against them in regards to being soft on a car finish.



I always use white or eggshell colored towels to fight against dye transfer as well.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by adjulian [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>

with regards to towels...I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. Well said Tortoise :)

For $10 Charisma IRR at Fieldcrest cannon that you can turn into 4 towels which are essentially $2.50, it doesn't get much better than that. [/b]</blockquote>

I agree with adjulian, at $2.50 each after cutting up those big, fluffy Charismas, it's a bargain. For me, it is a much better, lintless choice over microfiber for wax removal, QD'ing and wiping down windows(newspaper or paper towels are best on glass). With the Charismas, even if you get a little lint, it's not that microlint crap that I get from my microfibers that is really annoying on my moonroof, windows and paint. Still can't understand why the plusher Viper and Miracle Towel generate so much lint while my cheaper non plush Nicsand Yellow for windows don't :confused:
 
I have a bit of a dilemma. Santa was good to me and I got a new Griot's 6" RO, and I can't wait for the meltdown and the spring to come (can't be soon enough), so I can try it out.

Here is my question. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage to do my polishing in. I know that polishing outdoors is a BIG no no. Are there any products that are safe to use outdoors? I know that Poorboys polishes are safe to use outdoors, but I tried the SSR2 and still have swirl marks left. Should I try a more agressive polish from PB, or are there any other products that would fill the bill. I really want to try the M105/M205 combo, but as I understand it, it is not good to use it outdoors.

Some might suggest a canopy, but money is tight, and I need alternatives to spending more money.

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
Most good quality compounds and polishes contain abrasives and are either silica or aluminium oxide, or a combination of both. For personnel protection you should wear a mask (N95) when using these types of compound. Not sure what passers-by would make of this though
 
As a general rule always work INDOORS! It's much better and safer for your paint. The big issues here are dust, humidity and direct sunlight.

I'm not convinced that the products used are important as the weather conditions.

That being said, if you don't have a way to work indoors, just use some common sense rules.

I don't work outside if:

  • Temperatures are... Below 45 / Above 80
  • Extremely high humidity
  • Windy
  • No direct sunlight unless it's early morning or evening
  • Cloudy days are better than sunny
  • Try to work in the shade whenever possible

Again, ideally work inside. But if no indoor facilities are available, try to minimize the items in the list above.

(P.S. I love working outside, just because I'm a "Fresh-Air-Fiend"):biggrin:
 
FWIW- Materials such as aluminium oxide (Aluminium oxide is on EPA's TRI list if it is a fibrous form) or silicon carbide (Nuisance particulate-Accumulation in lungs) used in polishes and compounds, and powdered fillers (Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis). They represent a hazard to your lungs and may cause respiratory distress.
 
bmw5541 said:
I have a bit of a dilemma. Santa was good to me and I got a new Griot's 6" RO, and I can't wait for the meltdown and the spring to come (can't be soon enough), so I can try it out.

Here is my question. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage to do my polishing in. I know that polishing outdoors is a BIG no no. Are there any products that are safe to use outdoors? I know that Poorboys polishes are safe to use outdoors, but I tried the SSR2 and still have swirl marks left. Should I try a more agressive polish from PB, or are there any other products that would fill the bill. I really want to try the M105/M205 combo, but as I understand it, it is not good to use it outdoors.

Some might suggest a canopy, but money is tight, and I need alternatives to spending more money.

Thanks in advance for your input.
Click to expand...


Do you have some neighbors/friends with a garage you can borrow for the day? That would work.
Make friends with a mechanic who has a shop. A lot of them don't work on weekends. See if you can borrow or rent someone's shop for the day.

Or........
Wait for a cloudy day, as Bill mentioned.
Do you have a big shade tree nearby? Break out the extension cords, wait 'til the shade's right... and have at it.
 
Roadrunner said:
Do you have some neighbors/friends with a garage you can borrow for the day? That would work.
Make friends with a mechanic who has a shop. A lot of them don't work on weekends. See if you can borrow or rent someone's shop for the day.

Or........
Wait for a cloudy day, as Bill mentioned.
Do you have a big shade tree nearby? Break out the extension cords, wait 'til the shade's right... and have at it.
Click to expand...

I do have a big shady tree, but it is all the way in the front of the house, and not too close to the driveway. I would have to get quite a long extension cord. I guess it could be done though.

No problems with the M105 and M205 outdoors, if I am in the shade?

Thanks for the replies:thumbup:
 
I found a 10 X 12 canopy at Kmart for $89.00 bucks a few months ago. You may want to save up and get one. That way you can work on the car's and use it for party's also.....:wizard:
 
zoomzoom mazda5 said:
I found a 10 X 12 canopy at Kmart for $89.00 bucks a few months ago. You may want to save up and get one. That way you can work on the car's and use it for party's also.....:wizard:
Click to expand...

Hey Angelo, I always knew that you were a party guy:partaaay:
Unfortunately, I have to save for some pads. I do have a birthday in May, so anything can happen.
Thanks.
 
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