Best Microfiber Products

W

witness

New member
Ok, so far I've gathered that chenille mf wash mitts are preferable for washing a vehicle. Mf waffle weave drying cloths are decent for drying, although I didn't like mine much. Seemed to spread more than it dried.. But as for cloths. There are so many out there.. I just want everyone's opinion. I used the search feature and i was sure there'd be another thread like this. I searched post, but it matched every response that had the word microfiber in it. And while I am one for using the search before asking a question thats been answered, I didn't feel like going through all 10,000 results until I found the one I needed (if it existed).

Just wondering what your fav's are. I know I'll get several responses and I appreciate that. I don't mind buying a mix until we find one perfect for us. I was thinking about picking up a small order from pb's during this weeks sale. $2.50 is an unbeatable price, especially for a tag free towel. Right now I'm using several that I ordered from chem guys. Their royal blue double sided towel has one side for buffing and another I guess for drying. Either way its been my top pick so far aside from having to stop every time I fold to a new side to make sure the tag isn't exposed.

Anyways. Suggestions. Price isn't much of an issue for a quality towel. But I'm basically looking for best value for size, best absorbing towel, best polishing towels, most easily maintained, best value for size.. Pretty much anything.. thanks
 
Most of the time, it depends on the job as to what kind of MF towel I like. Regarding quality of towel - I think that if you purchase from any of the vendors you'll get quality towels. Quality towels also seem to be creeping in to local stores, as I have grabbed some pretty nice towels at Wal-Mart (the TW Ice plush towels) and Target's Vroom line. Viking also has some nice towels.

Regarding your drying towel that spreaded more than it dried - have you washed it? If so, did you use fabric softener? What kind of soap did you use to wash? Have you used it for anything other than drying? What it sounds like to me is that you either washed it in heavy soap, used fabric softener, or used it to remove wax or sealant prior to using it to dry. I'd suggest washing drying towels separately using hot water, a light soap (not laundry soap), washing them a second time with no soap and using vinegar in the rinse. Works well for me.
 
witness, this is like asking this group what your favorite wax/sealant is. And you wonder why there were so many threads with microfiber being discussed. :D

In today's market there aren't too many bad choices for your microfiber. Maybe there are a few, but I don't come across them. PB's MF website is a good starting place as is AG. I have towels from both of those folks and I am quite satisfied.

You will use a variety (sizes and construction) of towels for a variety of tasks including:

Drying
Polish/Wax/Sealant removal
QD
Interior
Grunge

Lots to discuss.

Edit to add: Looks like JP beat me to the punch here and covered nicely some of the discussion points.
 
For drying, it is matter of personal preference (what works for you) in regards to waffle weaves vs non-waffle weaves. If a certain waffle weave do not work, you can try another brand or use a towel with a nap. Others, just use a blower.

I find microfiber needs to be primed a little (it needs to be damp) to get it to work the best. From my understanding, microfiber does not absorb like cotton but water is absorbed using capillary action into the spaces between the complex woven fibers. The fibers do not absorb water because they are plastic (polyester/polyamide).
 
Good points from JP and Bunky regarding the seeming lack of absorbtion from the towel. As JP mentioned, first make sure the towel is clean and rinsed free of soap residues and omitting fabric softener. And Bunky's mention of the method of absorbtion, which means you might try moving your towel more slowly across the surface to allow time to absorb. One other possibility, is I find WW towels have a problem drying once they have been completely saturated. Yes, you can wring them out, but they are done at that point, IMO. You will need more towels and/or mix in the use of other drying tools.
 
JaredPointer said:
Most of the time, it depends on the job as to what kind of MF towel I like. Regarding quality of towel - I think that if you purchase from any of the vendors you'll get quality towels. Quality towels also seem to be creeping in to local stores, as I have grabbed some pretty nice towels at Wal-Mart (the TW Ice plush towels) and Target's Vroom line. Viking also has some nice towels.

Regarding your drying towel that spreaded more than it dried - have you washed it? If so, did you use fabric softener? What kind of soap did you use to wash? Have you used it for anything other than drying? What it sounds like to me is that you either washed it in heavy soap, used fabric softener, or used it to remove wax or sealant prior to using it to dry. I'd suggest washing drying towels separately using hot water, a light soap (not laundry soap), washing them a second time with no soap and using vinegar in the rinse. Works well for me.
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The waffle weave I used hadn't been washed. Hadn't touched a chemical. I removed it from the package. Soaked it in a seperate brand new bucketof deionized water for about ten mins. It was then left to air dry. I used it the next day. Just didn't do much
 
witness said:
The waffle weave I used hadn't been washed. Hadn't touched a chemical. I removed it from the package. Soaked it in a seperate brand new bucketof deionized water for about ten mins. It was then left to air dry. I used it the next day. Just didn't do much
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You may have possibly identified your problem. There are some who will disagree, but IMO you need to launder your towels before using. These products can pick up a variety of contaminants during the manufacturing, packaging, and shipping processes.
 
I agree. I never use a MF towel without first washing it/them. Lots of room for contamination between manufacture, shipment, grubby hands at the store, etc.

FWIW, I have a couple of waffle weaves that didn't dry very well until they got a little age on them.
 
All I can say about buy MFT is don't buy the cheapest ones on the market. Make sure they have sewing edges so that they don't curl.


All the towels I have here are from PB, but Autogeek would be about the same. I trust Steve products he has a great track record and I don't have to worry about returns if it comes to that.
 
I like oversised MF's the Vroom and the cobra shamrock towels are nice. I use the WW as something to just take the beads off, so then I can go back over with my good MF towels to get everthing dry without streaks.

The towels that don't actually dry reminds me of the brown military towels that actually repel water - lol
 
witness said:
Suggestions. Price isn't much of an issue for a quality towel. But I'm basically looking for best value for size, best absorbing towel, best polishing towels, most easily maintained, best value for size.. Pretty much anything.. thanks
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I refuse to pay a premium for what's basically a rag. However, I'm not above going for quality at a discount. :D In the name brands I really like the Cobra Deluxe Jr. 600. They retail outrageously but I scored 8 of 'em for 20 bucks delivered when they were on sale. Primo for LSP removal, QD and spray waxes. Someone got me a couple of Cobra Guzzlers on BOGO for Christmas. Nice, soft absorbant towel. They also got me some Cobra Mangoes, 8 of 'em for 18 bucks. Very thin but excellent for the cracks and crevices and door jambs as well as removing uncooperative polishes.

As for OTC products, Pep Boys has some surprizingly nice MFs in a 10-pack for around 10 bucks. A bit on the thin side but very soft and they wash up well and seem to be staying together well. For the price I didn't expect them to be this good or last long but I've been pleasantly surprised.

I've used Meg's WW Water Magnet and found it just OK, much better as they age. I found a place online called Erie Cotton that sells generic WWs direct at a good price. They're soft, absorbant and do the job at a decent price point. But the best bang for the buck in IMO is Target's Vroom drying towels. Soft, plush, absorbant and cheap... comparatively speaking. I scarfed some of the small ones when they were being closed out. Vroom MFs seem to be well liked but I haven't seen them on sale yet.

The largest drying towel I have is 16 x 24. I don't need super-absorbancy because I use a blower from my Shop Vac to blow out the nooks and crannies and blow the majority of rinse water from the finish. This allows me to use one drying towel for the wettest stuff and one in my other hand for the final buff as I go along. If I was drying a dripping wet vehicle I'd probably have an Absorber in one hand to remove the bulk of the water and a Vroom or WW MF in the other for final residue removel and buffing.

YMMV... TL
 
Ronkh said:
I just ordered more PB towels.

Ya can never have enough microfiber.
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Not sure about that I have so many MF towels that I no longer have any place to store them.
Lot of packages of towels are still in the plastic bag that they were shipped in-new never used.
:help:
 
shuddleston said:
I like oversised MF's the Vroom and the cobra shamrock towels are nice. I use the WW as something to just take the beads off, so then I can go back over with my good MF towels to get everthing dry without streaks.

The towels that don't actually dry reminds me of the brown military towels that actually repel water - lol
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Glad someone mentioned the cobras. I've been hearing about them off and on and was hoping someone from here would bring them up. I may have to Try them if I can find a good deal. I think I'm going to have to replace all my mfs. Seems someone thought it'd be a good idea to toss in a dryer sheet while I had them in the dryer. I had then set to air dry. No heat. And took one outthis morning to do a quick wipedown. It seemed a little clingy and left a lint trail. I went back in and sorted through the Rest of them and low and behold in the very back was a fabric sheet. Is there any way to save them. Maybe a rewash. Or should they all just be designated work towels. I hate to seethem all go to waste as many of them were brand new
 
Yes witness a rewash and one or two rinse cycles with white 5% vinegar and you should be fine. I don't think this will be a problem going forward with these towels at all.
 
Vinegar has tons of uses, I buy it 2 gallons at a time at Sam's Club. Every load of laundry has vinegar in the rinse water.
 
Mr. Clean said:
Vinegar has tons of uses, I buy it 2 gallons at a time at Sam's Club. Every load of laundry has vinegar in the rinse water.
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Speaking of Sam's Club, that where I get my MFs. They come in a pack of (I think) 16 for $9.88. They're very absorbent and soft.
 
I think I'll pick up another couple packs of cheap mfs. The kmart I work at has a 24 pack for sale right now for around $20. They're on sale as kmarts going out of business. We already bought some megs natural look interior dressing to hold us over until we place our pb order which should be today.

I want to purchase a set of towels specifically for the vehicles finish though. One good set of 5 or 6 that never touches anything but the same product. A couple for waxes. A couple for qd another for buffing after a polish. I need a good window mf to work the IG too. I really appreciate the input so far. I'm going to place a small order while PBS mfs are on sale. And I think I'll pick up a 6 pack or two of the cobras now that they're on sale at autogeek
 
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