I've never owned a black car before..my FX4 S-crew is my first and I'd like to keep the black in top knotch shape. Below are some questions I'd like to ask and my answers are underneath. Hopefully I can get an idea of what others are using. Before hounding me for potentially wrong washing 'tools'...I have not yet used anything on my F150...no washes yet as it's brand new



-What do you use when washing the car ?(mit, sponge, etc)

-What do you use when drying? (Chamois, 100% cotton towel, etc)

-What do you use when just doing a quick spot clean ie bird crap (microfiber etc ?)

-What car wash fluid?


1) sheep skin/wool type mit
2) Absorber Chamois
3) 100% cotton T shirt and McGuire's quick detailer
4) Blue Corral soap

 

1. All of the above -- lambs wool mitt, chenile pads/mitts, bug sponges, small chenile sponges, etc...
2. Microfiber, leaf blower, waffle weave microfiber, 100% high-pile cotton towels.
3. Meguiar's Final Detail or Final Inspection or Last Touch or Four-Star Gloss Enhancer or Poor Boys Spray and Wipe & a premiumautocare.com big blue microfiber or Meguiar's Ultimate Wipe.
4. How dirty is it? Meguiar's NXT Car Shampoo or Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo or Meguiar's #00 Hi-Tech Wash.

There are just too many answers for every one of those questions!

 

lol...no problem..very helpful as is.

I noticed I didn't see a chamois of some sort on your list of when drying the car. I assume they're not highly recommended these days although very time effective? I use one like so:

 

It's not that I dislike chamois but more that I don't think it allows for much error.

You see, a high-pile 100% cotton terry towel or a microfiber towel has a bit of 'plush' to it in that if there was a sand grain or bit of grit still remaining on your surface, the towels would have a MUCH greater chance of bringing it into the nap of the towel. The chamois, on the other hand, will simply drag it across the paint without a place for the contamination to go. This causes scratches.

Now, I'm certainly not saying that the MF towels nor the terry towels won't have the same potential but, in my opinion, the potential is MUCH less.

RP

 

Cool...

Would you happen to know any place online or general shop that sells the towels in bulk? Do you usally throw them in the washing maching and re-use them?

As for the MF towels...are they pretty universal? Can you use them for drying...then turn around and use them for polishing. Then after all is said and done...throw em in the washing machine? I only owe 3 towels that my dealer gave me...not sure if its good enough.

 

VortechSaleen,

I pretty much agree with RP.......

For washing the paint, I would only allow 100% cotton mitts, or lambs wool mitts to touch the paint surface.

To dry the paint, I prefer high quality WW towels. Yes, you can use regular MF towels, but it will take a couple/few of them to dry the vehicle, depending on the size of the towels, and how you rinse your vehicle. You can also use a chamois, or Absorber, provided that you don't "drag" them across the paint, or "rub" the paint with them. Just lay them on the paint to "blot" up most of the water, and then finish with a light wipe using a WW or MF towel.

Don't scrimp on the car wash........... buy the best you can. A great car wash provides just the right amount of cleaning, while lubricating the paint surfce to minimze marring (swirls). RP mentioned a couple of good ones, there are a few more.

Again, the QD's that RP mentioned are just the ticket to keep your vehicle free of those contaminates between washings. I'm particularly fond of the Spray & Wipe for that purpose, and as a "light dirt" waterless wash. The Final Detail, and Last Touch are my choices for extra "POP" after a washing or waxing. There are several other good ones.

There are a number of places to buy MF towels. I buy most of my stuff at premiumautocare, but there are some other good sources for products and towels. We can post some links if you need them.

P.S. Look through the posts in this forum for some good threads on "washing techniques". You will want to use the "two bucket" method of washing, along with some other tips to keep your black vehicle looking its best.

 

Good luck Vortech....I owned a black vehicle once and while black looks extremely sharp when all shined up, it is a major PIA to try and keep clean. Especially here in VT in the winter time, forget about it. Out on the left coast you shouldn't have the snow, salt, sand, ice problems we have here though.

That's why I switched to red, hides the dirt and salt residue better.

 

Thanks guys...

Boss_429

If you can provide some links to WW and MF towels in bulk, that would be awesome.

Thanks

 

Here is the link for Premium Auto Care's selection...

Microfiber towels at Premium Auto Care

THere is another good supplier that people recommend around here called Classic Motoring Accessories...

Cassic Motoring Microfiber selection

Matt

EDIT: Don.t forget to pick up a "Firehose nozzle" !!

Ultimate Hose Nozzle Thread

 

Sure,

If you can wait until I get home this evening, I can post some good info. I'm at work right now, and it will take a while to write it up.

I love great towels.

 

Vortech,

OK, here ya go.........

First, the 20" X 40" towels at the link for Premium Auto Care jhogan posted are excellent towels, and are "HUGE"! They can double as a drying towel, although, I still prefer a good WW towel for drying. I see they are currently on sale. Plus, if you join DetailCity, you get a 10% discount on your purchase. You have to enter 'detailcity' (without quotes) when you checkout in the discount coupon field. Now, RP mentioned their Big Blue WW drying towel for drying. Unfortunately, the Big Blue that Premium Auto has now is a "new" Big Blue. I don't care for them as much as the old Big Blue that RP and I have............. especially given the price of the new Big Blue. Whatever the case, Premium is a great place to deal with. You can give Dwayne a call there at any time, and he will help you out.

Next, I have a bunch of 16" X 16" towels from JT International that are very good all around MF towels. I think I paid around $2.50 a piece for them. You can email Tom at JT International, and ask him for current prices. ( jtintern@hotmail.com ) He also has other size MF's, and WW towels ( his WW towels are OK, but not great )

Now, for some really great MF towels, you want to check this site out: http://www.pakshak.com/
Ignore the prices on the site, and send Ranney (Pakshak) an email at ( ranney@pakshak.com ) and ask him for current prices. Make sure you tell him you are a member of Autopia ( http://www.autopia.org ), and Detail City ( http://www.detailcity.com ) Of course, it would be nice if you were a member. Anyhow, the discount he gives for members is "substantial", and his towels are superb........... as is Ranney, and his service! His 16" x 16", or 24" X 24" Ultra towels are excellent all around towels. His 16" X 24" Ultra-Fine yellow towels are my new FAVORITE MF towels (next to DF Concours towels - very expensive). These yellow Ultra-Fine towels are AWESOME............. great for removing waxes/sealant, and final QD'ing.

Lastly, while I can't vouch for them personally, I've heard great things about the towels, prices, and service here: ( http://www.exceldetail.com/ ) I understand that Patrick is a great guy to deal with. He might also have an "Autopia" discount.

Another place I've heard good things about is here: ( http://www.waynestowels.com/ )

Well, that should keep you busy for a while.

 

Great post Boss!

 

Agreed!...thanks man