Inquiry- Griot's Garage Products (Wash mits and squeegee)

C

Chaseme

New member
Hi guys, I'm new around here, but I was just wanting some information on some Griot's Garage products.



I was just wondering what your thoughts are on the squeegee (have you had problems with scratches from it?).



And I'm also wondering what kind of mit you guy suggest for washing a Interlagos Blue (deep blue) BMW; the microfiber mits or the sheepskin mit.



PS- the GG Car Wash is pretty good as far as I've heard on this forum right?



Thanks in advance,



Chase
 
Chaseme- Welcome to Autopia!



Yeah, the GG's Car Wash is *very* good, it's all I use.



The problem with the squeegee (any of 'em) isn't so much that it will scratch in and of itself, but rather that someday a tiny spec of something abrasive will get stuck between the squeegee and the paint and will cause a nasty scratch. Might not happen often, bit eventually it *will* happen (voice of experience).



I don't consider the color of the paint when evaluating a mitt. I test it (wet with wash solution) on a CD and if it passes that test then I check it for dirt retention vs. free-rinsing, efficacy of cleaning vs. gentleness, and overall user-friendliness.



FWIW I use both MF and sheepskin mitts, but overall I'd generally recommend the latter.
 
Not trying to hijack this thread, but you did say "Griots Garage Products".



Have either of you tried GG's Spray-On Wax, or their Best of Show Wax? I haven't, but am curious what people think of these.



I've got GG's waffle weave drying towels, and Speed Shine, and they both rock. I also ordered a leather steering wheel cover for my Honda, and it was the best 14.95 accessory I've ever bought.
 
Accumulator, et. al.; regarding the squeegee. if a small particle does get caught in/under the squeegee, wouldn't that same particle get dragged across the paint by the drying towel? i for one have not tried the squeegee approach because there seems to be more negative than positive.



i too love Griot's Garage Car Wash. great stuff.



welcome!
 
I like the Griot's sheepskin mitt. It has a substantial feel to it and is different than most other kinds. It's made in Canada as opposed to Asia, which may be part of the reason. At first, I was worried that it would cling to dirt too much because of the fine fibers it has (they're more sinewy than the Eurow ones for example, if that makes sense). But fortunately, I didn't find that to be the case. Only drawback is it's expensive. I prefer seasponges overall, but if I'm using sheepskin I like to use this one.



I also want to plug their soap. It's really become my favorite. The only time I use something else is to experiment, but I always go back to Griot's. :)
 
oajr said:
... if a small particle does get caught in/under the squeegee, wouldn't that same particle get dragged across the paint by the drying towel? ...
Click to expand...
Yes, but in a cloth towel the particle will recede into the nap, at least a little bit, reducing or possibly preventing the scratch. With the squeegee you have the solid rubber pressing it against the paint.



I’ve seen paint gouged beyond repair by a piece of grit caught below a water blade.



I’ve mainly bought tools and accessories from Griot’s. I’ve always been pleased with their products and service.





PC.
 
Thanks for the advice in response to my questions.



I just got a job last week washing cars at a local Mercedes Benz and Porsche dealership and we use the squeegee blades (not the GG) to wick water off, then we use 100% cotton towels to remove the left over water. We take extra care to make sure the blade is clean by running our fingers on it to remove possible particles. So far I haven't noticed any scratches caused by the squeegee, so I've began to consider one for home use.



The thing with the microfiber mits is that it is $10 for two mits, but it's $17 for one sheepskin mit.



Looks like I will be purchasing some GG soap.



-Chase
 
Yea, I'm unsure about the blade, but I know one thing, it does remove alot of water.

Maybe I'll still purchase it just to use it on the windows.
 
Chaseme said:
The thing with the microfiber mits is that it is $10 for two mits, but it's $17 for one sheepskin mit.
Click to expand...



I highly recommend trying a Eurow brand sheepskin mitt available at Wal-Mart for $5. I have been using them for several years with very good success.



P.S. Definitely pick up some Griot's Car Wash - great stuff.
 
my waffle weave drying towels don't have much of a nap but i guess i could see how a particle might hide itself easier in it than a squeegee blade.



Chaseme, Griot's also offers popsicle stick style wheel cleaners (they call them wheel scrubber brushes) that have foam pads on the end of long plastic handles. I suppose it all depends on what wheels you have but they work like a charm for me (rs4 wheels).



regards
 
I use a leaf blower if I do a conventional wash. It cost me $30 bucks and elminates 90% of the water in 3 minutes. Then go over it with my WW. Perfectly dry.
 
I use the "flow" rinse method as a final rinse after cleaning a vehicle.



On a vehicle with well sealed paint, this sheets most of the water off and whatever remains comes off easy with a WW MF towel.
 
I do the low-flow (Hot Wheels reference!) method, and then get my leaf blower out to get ALL the water out of the door handles, grill, around the lights, and around the side door trim...that's the worst.
 
Milestones said:
I use the "flow" rinse method as a final rinse after cleaning a vehicle.



On a vehicle with well sealed paint, this sheets most of the water off and whatever remains comes off easy with a WW MF towel.
Click to expand...



Same here.



The GG Car Wash is really good, it's all I use as well.
 
I thought I posted back on this thread yesterday, but the Other PC covered the towel vs. blade pressure issue quite well.



Chaseme said:
I just got a job last week washing cars at a local Mercedes Benz and Porsche dealership and we use the squeegee blades (not the GG) to wick water off, then we use 100% cotton towels to remove the left over water. We take extra care to make sure the blade is clean by running our fingers on it to remove possible particles...
Click to expand...



But consider if a bit of abrasive *does* get between the blade and the paint. It won't get wiped off until *after* a drying stroke, and will have already done one stroke's worth of damage. Yeah, frequent wiping will help stop the same thing from doing damage more than once, but that's not good enough in my book. About the only marring on my minivan that's too deep to correct is from using a blade, and I sure thought "it won't happen to *me*, I'll save time drying this big thing" :o



I've even quit using them on the glass of my vehicles; scratches in glass are usually forever. And I'll repeat that my washes leave vehicles mighty clean and I'm working in a very clean shop environment, so grit on the paint simply isn't a significant concern for me; if *I* can't get away with it, I don't see how anybody can. OK, OK, [Accumulator climbs down off soapbox..]
 
yes, i've begun to use my blower which makes a world of difference in terms of the front grill and wheels....really yields great results.
 
joshtpa said:
I use a leaf blower if I do a conventional wash. It cost me $30 bucks and elminates 90% of the water in 3 minutes. Then go over it with my WW. Perfectly dry.
Click to expand...



I second the leag blower takes a couple of minutes to remove 90% of the water then the remainder with a WW Microfiber towel. It gets the water out from behind the trim as well.
 
Do you guys not worry about inadvertently blowing dirt/grit off the ground back onto your just-cleaned vehicle by using a blower to dry?



I know with my blower, if I accidentally aim it a little too low (which eventually happens) it stirs up an uholy amount of dust/dirt off the ground.
 
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