Reviewed: The EDGE ShMITT

I have had two of these wash mits for a spell now and I enjoy using them. They don't leave behind any noticable marring that I can detect.



The black one, which is a very coarse foam, I really like to use for wheel wells.



The pads are buffing pads adapted for wash use. The white waffle pad is like a high 90 ppi pad, maybe even a 100 ppi pad. If you have a soft foam finishing pad at home you can try it as a washing mit....of course at your own risk :) They don't conform as well to tight areas as other sponges and yes it can be a tight fit for your hand.



As good as the foam washing pads are they do not come close to how well a natural deep sea sponge works. I base that conclusion not on any sales pitch, no favoritism towards any vendors or manufacturers but on 13 years of using a natural deep sea sponge. I have used in those 13 years microfiber, wool, sheepskin, chenille, flannel, boars hair, synthetic and now the foam pads and none of them compare to a natural deep sea sponge.



I hate the fact they are harvested from the ocean:bolt ....but damn they sure are fine car washing instruments:chuckle:



Anthony
 
Anthony Orosco said:
As good as the foam washing pads are they do not come close to how well a natural deep sea sponge works. I base that conclusion not on any sales pitch, no favoritism towards any vendors or manufacturers but on 13 years of using a natural deep sea sponge. I have used in those 13 years microfiber, wool, sheepskin, chenille, flannel, boars hair, synthetic and now the foam pads and none of them compare to a natural deep sea sponge.



I hate the fact they are harvested from the ocean:bolt ....but damn they sure are fine car washing instruments:chuckle:
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Anthony,



How do you insure that all of the sand and other particles are out of the sponge before use. Whenever I've bought a sea sponge I've found a never ending supply of grit lodged within the sponge.
 
[quote name='Anthony Orosco']I have had two of these wash mits for a spell now and I enjoy using them. They don't leave behind any noticable marring that I can detect.



The black one, which is a very coarse foam, I really like to use for wheel wells.



The pads are buffing pads adapted for wash use. The white waffle pad is like a high 90 ppi pad, maybe even a 100 ppi pad. If you have a soft foam finishing pad at home you can try it as a washing mit....of course at your own risk :) They don't conform as well to tight areas as other sponges and yes it can be a tight fit for your hand.



As good as the foam washing pads are they do not come close to how well a natural deep sea sponge works. I base that conclusion not on any sales pitch, no favoritism towards any vendors or manufacturers but on 13 years of using a natural deep sea sponge. I have used in those 13 years microfiber, wool, sheepskin, chenille, flannel, boars hair, synthetic and now the foam pads and none of them compare to a natural deep sea sponge.



I hate the fact they are harvested from the ocean:bolt ....but damn they sure are fine car washing instruments:chuckle:



Anthony









Very nicely stated. I too have migrated to the sea sponge and will not ever go back to anything else. using ONR they rinse free with very little effort. I have cut my washing time down. the best part is when I am done, rinse the sponge in the sink and that is it LOL ! no more farting around with cleaning my wash media :hifive: never thought I would go back to a sponge but I am soooooo glad I did. thanks Splichy for all of your sponge expertise :xyxthumbs
 
flatstick said:
.......Very nicely stated. I too have migrated to the sea sponge and will not ever go back to anything else. using ONR they rinse free with very little effort. I have cut my washing time down. the best part is when I am done, rinse the sponge in the sink and that is it LOL ! no more farting around with cleaning my wash media :hifive: never thought I would go back to a sponge but I am soooooo glad I did. thanks Splichy for all of your sponge expertise :xyxthumbs
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Another vote for the sea sponge and ONR..... they work great and are super soft when wet. I also like how easy they are to clean when finished.



I was always leery of these until a member was selling some at a super good price a month or two back and decided to give them a try. I washed and soaked it but found very little sand and no small shells in the one I have been using.



I'd also like to thank Spilchy for sharing his sponge knowledge and will be contacting Acme to find a place to order one of their giant sea wool sponges.
 
The only problem I have had from sea sponges is that they can contain particles that marr the finish if not manufactured properly. I had one bad instance a while ago with marring and I've been a sheepskin user since.
 
SilverLexus said:
The only problem I have had from sea sponges is that they can contain particles that marr the finish if not manufactured properly. I had one bad instance a while ago with marring and I've been a sheepskin user since.
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A *real* sea sponge isn't manufactured at all.
 
Mikeyc said:
Anthony,



How do you insure that all of the sand and other particles are out of the sponge before use. Whenever I've bought a sea sponge I've found a never ending supply of grit lodged within the sponge.
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This certainly is THE issue that has kept me from trying a sea sponge. The ones I've seen have been full of grit, sea shells etc. I'd like to know where to get one that's been properly "cleaned". Alternatively, what method do people use to prepare them for use if they're full of grit as bought?
 
SpoiledMan said:
A *real* sea sponge isn't manufactured at all.
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well someone has to take the sponge out of sea right?

and supposedly clean it.......and that means it has been tempered with, hence manufactured.
 
sponges are collected ..not made....and to properly clean one once you get one is to run it thru the wash...not on gentle cycle ..but normal..they are pretty rugged...and will take a good wash...after the first wash ..just a rinse in a bucket after using cleans them...you just need the first wash to be a good one to get the sand from the sea bed out....



the best sponges I seen are the Acme brand...and they do come pretty clean when you buy them...but still a wash is in order ...



I use a wool sea sponge to wash in the shower also..along with a MF towel...and they feel like silk on the body..



AL
 
+1 on what AL said. I have used sea sponge for years now. I don't see the need for anything else. It leaves no marks, swirls or fine scratches. The pores are large enough to keep dirt off the paint. They are relatively clean when you get them but a good rinse or wash is in order. Since they are natural, they tend to be oddly shaped. There may be only one side that is relatively flat where the other may be rounded. You have to be somewhat creative when using them. They are very durable. I even what's left of my original for the rims.



I think I got mine from properautocare.
 
wytstang said:
Anthony were do you get you natural deep sea sponge at?? Wouldn't mind try one in a couple of months.
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Mikeyc said:
Anthony,



How do you insure that all of the sand and other particles are out of the sponge before use. Whenever I've bought a sea sponge I've found a never ending supply of grit lodged within the sponge.
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Gentleman:spit:



I get my sponges from TOL but I am always on the lookout for them everywhere I go.



Mikey,



Yeah I know exactly what you mean there....it's like going to the beach and having sand get everywhere!! :mad:



What I do is fill a bucket or my sink up with warm water. Place the sponge in there and let it soak for about 15 minutes and then work my fingers through the sponge holes, rinse and repeat.



I have found sand, sea shells and I think a part of some old boats rudder in one sponge:grinno:



Just give it a good rinse and wash with the UNCUT side of the sponge. The cut side can sometimes have rough edges.



Hope that helps,

Anthony
 
Sponges, natural sea sponges, are harvested. They are sun dried and then cut on what is basically a table saw. I have seen these sponges before they are cut and they are huge....so when I call Irene at TOL to buy some I ask her to please find me the larger ones with a flatter cut side and a nice round natural side.



Now sea sponges take a long time to grow to the size of them being of use and they only grow, if I remember correctly, a few inches each year, add to that that only a few species of sponge can be used for washing and you begin to understand why they cost so much.



The tree huggers claim harvesting sponges is really harmful to the enviroment and others claim that it is actually healthy to harvest them.....all depends on who you ask I reckon.



Anthony
 
I find ACME sponges to be the best out of the 4 companies I have purchased from.



They come as large as 12". I can have mine special ordered from my local paint store in my town. I e-mailed ACME and they put me in touch with them. The luck! Since my brother has an account there since he is a painting contractor I can get a discount. I have yet to get the 12" ones, but I will stop in and get a price.



You can get smaller 7" - 8" ACME sponges from your ACE Hardware.



Here you can get 10" - 11" ones: Buy the Acme Sponge & Chamois Company SW#1-1011C 10-11in. Sea Sponge at Hardware World - The world's #1 home hardware site



Anthony, I like how you can have Irene pick and choose choice sponges! Very cool!



I was skeptical about 12 months ago when I first started with them. The one I got from Autogeek was a bit unerving with the little shells and sand. But after a good cleaning, I changed my outlook. The ACME ones have been the cleanest for me.



Nice to sea sponge people come out of the woodwork and show some love :woot:
 
Bulla2000 said:
Hi folks, you are going offtopic, thats a ShMITT review threat !!
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When a thread goes on this long, it tends to happen! It's like corralling sheep; once the flock gets large enough, a few get loose. You're correct though :chuckle:
 
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