I have forgotten the difference in my MF towels...

[Speedwagon]

I bought these towels years ago. And having gone through a hiatus in care car for a bit, I have since forgotten the difference between them. I have a bunch of low quality MFs(that are general duty where I don't care about, like plastic trim), and then I have a set of Sonus towels. 2 blue waffle weaves(that I use to dry the car), and giant grey towel(black trim), 3 medium yellow towels(red trim), and then 2 orange towels(that I believe are intended for buffing, plush on one side).



So the question here is, what use would you put each of these to?

 

[IHA Mark]

Wow, its kind of hard to answer that not knowing what was used on each towel previously. I suggest you just go to Sam's Club and get a 24 pack of ProForce towels for $12, and use the others for interior cleaning and such. Just my .02.

 

[Nth Degree]

I would recommend getting some new towels for use on the paint. At this point you don't know what chemicals might still remain in some of them, thus causing streaking. At least proceed with caution and common sense. Try a small area before going over the whole car. I am constantly downgrading MFs based upon their performance. Some start to shed while others might have been used for with a chemical that I cannot be certain has washed out completely.

 

[Accumulator]

Speedwagon- The WWs are easy, right? For the others, I'd separate them into do/don't-pass the CD-test and only touch your paint with the ones that pass. Other than/beyond that, IMO it's just personal preference; some people prefer less-plush MFs for buffing off LSPs, for instance. I myself seldom make such minor distinctions, though I do use my "seemingly best" MFs on paint that I'm most concerned with and my "not so hot, but still OK" ones (still passing the CD-test) for stuff like polishing/LSPing the doorjambs/wells of the beaters.

 

[Speedwagon]

I am not familiar with the CD test. Also, thanks for the tips.



And yes, the WWs I've always known and used for drying.

 

[togwt]

A towel's quality can change over time; poor washing methods (separate towels used for different uses) even certain products can affect your towels; so test periodically



There are always places on a car where older microfibers can be used: door jambs, glass, some wheels. A couple of ‘non-scientific test’ you could use to assimilate wither or not a towel (or any other cloth you'd use on a paint surface) will cause scratches, they are not at all scientific nor 100% accurate, they are only indicative of what the towel may do to your paint surface, but then which is preferable to scratch a CD or your paint surface?



Ensure the towels have been washed before carrying out these ‘tests’, and test them using the same criteria you’d use then; damp and remember, even the softest towels will scratch if too much pressure is used,



If the towel does scratch the CD’s surface that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will scratch the vehicles paint, a CD has a much softer surface than automobile paint so use caution, initially trying an inconspicuous area of the paint surface



CD Scratch Test



Take a damp micro fibre cloth and use medium to heavy pressure rub the data surface of a CD. If no scratching is evident then it probably won’t scratch the vehicles paint surface, be aware that the bindings can also cause scratching. Ensure you wash before you use a micro fibre towel for the first time and use it on an inconspicuous area first.

 

[Accumulator]

A towel's quality can change over time; poor washing methods (separate towels used for different uses) even certain products can affect your towels; so test periodically ..

YES :xyxthumbs

CD Scratch Test



Take a damp micro fibre cloth and use medium to heavy pressure rub the data surface of a CD. If no scratching is evident then it probably won’t scratch the vehicles paint surface...

I do it a little differently, I "test them as I use them"; i.e., while I test wash media wet, I test MFs (other than MF wash mitts) dry.