Will never use microfiber towels ever again. Washed all winter long and wiped with plush microfiber towels and waffle weave for windows and mirrors. More scratches then i had ever seen a new side miiror is all scratched by these towels. I just ruined two cars this winter washing and drying with microfiber from walmart. I will stay with cotton towels from now on. I should have washed at a car wash and had better results. Now i need to figure out to buy a polisher or a pc and what type of polish to use any suggetions?
Microfiber lie
- Thread starter 49er
- Start date
JasonD
New member
You say that you washed all winter long. Did you detail your car at all during the winter? In general, cars subjected to the harshness of winter roads are always going to show some wear, so I wouldn't get upset.
Like seracis mentioned, the mf towels from WM aren't the best around, I personally wouldn't go near my car with them but they are *still* better than regular terry.
All you need to do is get some *good* mf towels to replace the ones you currently have, and keep the WM towels for windows, wheels, and interior duty. After that, I'd say that it's simply time to do an *after winter* detail, that's all.
Just think of how bad your car would be if you wouldn't have been so careful with it.
Like seracis mentioned, the mf towels from WM aren't the best around, I personally wouldn't go near my car with them but they are *still* better than regular terry.
All you need to do is get some *good* mf towels to replace the ones you currently have, and keep the WM towels for windows, wheels, and interior duty. After that, I'd say that it's simply time to do an *after winter* detail, that's all.
Just think of how bad your car would be if you wouldn't have been so careful with it.
I am willing to bet the condition of your cars is from your wash technique and winter conditions rather than the Wal-Mart microfibers. I have used them on paint before (didn't have my high quality towels at the time) and they never caused any marring but they are of poor quality.
Excel has quality towels and the green plush from Winner's Circle are also quality (cheap, too!).
Excel has quality towels and the green plush from Winner's Circle are also quality (cheap, too!).
MongooseGA
New member
You shouldn't expect concours results from Wal-Mart microfibers. Buy some good ones, and save the cheapies for door jambs, wheels, and engine work.
Corey Bit Spank
Active member
TW85 HHI said:
Ditto.
Welcome back to the terry world HAHAHA. That sucks about your mirror but Im sure a number of things could have caused it. Can't say I've experienced the same as I have always used and continue to use terry towels without any problems.
The cost of MFs are hard to justify for me when terry towels have always worked and performed excellent. Besides, I've always thought that using a MF on my car felt like using a hankerchief - I like that thick padded feel a folded up terry towel gives ya.
We all have our preferences on here and Im not a professional in this business, stricktly a weekend warrior that works on my own personal car and at times those of family members. :xyxthumbs
The cost of MFs are hard to justify for me when terry towels have always worked and performed excellent. Besides, I've always thought that using a MF on my car felt like using a hankerchief - I like that thick padded feel a folded up terry towel gives ya.
We all have our preferences on here and Im not a professional in this business, stricktly a weekend warrior that works on my own personal car and at times those of family members. :xyxthumbs
imported_memnuts
New member
Investigate your whole washing and drying regimen.
How did you wash this vehicle? What car shampoo did you use? What type of wash mit did you use? How well did you pre-rinse your vehicle? How did you maintain your MF's and WW's? What quality was your MF (Wally World not very good, not even for my door jams or other hidden painted areas)? What protectant did you have applied prior to the winter? Sealant, carnuaba or both? You guys in Cali had quite a bit of rain this winter, maybe your protectant was eroded away a lot sooner than normal and your paint was exposed to direct contact when you washed it. :nixweiss
Item 1: You learned by your bad experience, this holds true for all vehicles, that side mirrors should always be treated with TLC. The coatings on these items are very fragile and easily marred if not properly cared for.
Item 2: Sometimes you get what you pay for. Would you use low quality terry towels on your vehicle?
Item 3: Honestly look at yourself and your techniques. It is always easier to blame the brush and not the artist for a bad painting.
How did you wash this vehicle? What car shampoo did you use? What type of wash mit did you use? How well did you pre-rinse your vehicle? How did you maintain your MF's and WW's? What quality was your MF (Wally World not very good, not even for my door jams or other hidden painted areas)? What protectant did you have applied prior to the winter? Sealant, carnuaba or both? You guys in Cali had quite a bit of rain this winter, maybe your protectant was eroded away a lot sooner than normal and your paint was exposed to direct contact when you washed it. :nixweiss
Item 1: You learned by your bad experience, this holds true for all vehicles, that side mirrors should always be treated with TLC. The coatings on these items are very fragile and easily marred if not properly cared for.
Item 2: Sometimes you get what you pay for. Would you use low quality terry towels on your vehicle?
Item 3: Honestly look at yourself and your techniques. It is always easier to blame the brush and not the artist for a bad painting.
I've used the Big Blue drying towels from WalMart all winter and I have no complaints with these towels at all.If your conditions there are as bad as hear it's more than likely as everyone says your wash technique.Big time salt and sand will do more damage than the WalMart towels if not properly rinsed off and at least a 2 bucket wash with a sheepskin mit and a decent car soap.
Gary Wells
New member
FWIW & IMHO:
There is nothing wrong with Wally World (Wal-Mart) MF towels. You just buy them in the wrong area. Wally World only has 2 different MF towels that I would recommend: 1. Their very large drying towel, which I have not seen for sale recently, and 2: a towel sold in the home kitchen towel section under the name of "Home Trends" at 2 towels per package for $5 the package. The package is half wrappped in a cardboard wrapper/container saying "Home Trends", I believe. It is only found in the "Home drying towle section" and not the auto section. I just bought some of the really cheesy 8 towels, 14" X 14", Auto section towels for something like $ 5.95, and IMHO, they are not even worth that. I will be returning those today, you can bet on it. I would rather use a better quality MF even for the door jambs, under the fender lip area, and even the motor compartment. I would appreciate any feedback on the above mentioned MF towels in the home section. It is the only MF towel that I know of in that area. HTH
There is nothing wrong with Wally World (Wal-Mart) MF towels. You just buy them in the wrong area. Wally World only has 2 different MF towels that I would recommend: 1. Their very large drying towel, which I have not seen for sale recently, and 2: a towel sold in the home kitchen towel section under the name of "Home Trends" at 2 towels per package for $5 the package. The package is half wrappped in a cardboard wrapper/container saying "Home Trends", I believe. It is only found in the "Home drying towle section" and not the auto section. I just bought some of the really cheesy 8 towels, 14" X 14", Auto section towels for something like $ 5.95, and IMHO, they are not even worth that. I will be returning those today, you can bet on it. I would rather use a better quality MF even for the door jambs, under the fender lip area, and even the motor compartment. I would appreciate any feedback on the above mentioned MF towels in the home section. It is the only MF towel that I know of in that area. HTH
kartoon
Don't ever drop your clay
I don't believe that even low quality microfiber will scratch the paint. As long as it stays clean no harm will be done. It's the stuff that gets between the towel and the surface, however small, that creates marring/scratches.
nailzer
New member
It has to be the washing and drying technique. I use Walmart MF towels all the time and see no marring.
I watch other people drying their cars with bath towels like they do them self after a bath could do a lot of harm though. They use a dry towel and wipe the car until it's completely dry.
I watch other people drying their cars with bath towels like they do them self after a bath could do a lot of harm though. They use a dry towel and wipe the car until it's completely dry.
Spilchy
New member
Haha! From the title of this thread, I thought I was going to read some industry inside information about how we're all being duped and causing untold damage to the beautiful cars I see posted here that have been wiped down and mainted with MF's.
"Microfiber LIE!"
That is, until I read the post :rofl :lol
Honestly though, I'm sorry for the condition of your car and understand the level of frustration. I would look to improve your washing technique, try to refrain from automatic car washes, understand proper polishing and application methods of products and purchase quality MF's.
Understanding your process and using quality products will greatly diminish the results you are currently achieving.
Also, be careful with cotton. Just because it says cotton and has that little puffy logo, doesn't mean it won't mar your paint. If you feel so strongly about cotton, try the new Meguiar's cotton cloths and let us know how they are. They look nice. Outside of the koala buffing towel which is not sold anywhere anymore, I have yet to find a cotton cloth I like and trust. Viking has some which are decent, but not great.
"Microfiber LIE!"
That is, until I read the post :rofl :lol
Honestly though, I'm sorry for the condition of your car and understand the level of frustration. I would look to improve your washing technique, try to refrain from automatic car washes, understand proper polishing and application methods of products and purchase quality MF's.
Understanding your process and using quality products will greatly diminish the results you are currently achieving.
Also, be careful with cotton. Just because it says cotton and has that little puffy logo, doesn't mean it won't mar your paint. If you feel so strongly about cotton, try the new Meguiar's cotton cloths and let us know how they are. They look nice. Outside of the koala buffing towel which is not sold anywhere anymore, I have yet to find a cotton cloth I like and trust. Viking has some which are decent, but not great.
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Iâ€â„¢ve never seen a claim that nylon (polyester Microfiber) wonâ€â„¢t scratch, so I donâ€â„¢t think anyone has been lied to.
Iâ€â„¢m an advocate of using 100% cotton (DFTowels) but thatâ€â„¢s not to say using a certain material will not cause scratches or is forgiving of poor application technique
Scratch resistance has a lot to do with the material used in the towel and the way the fibres are processed and spun, there are too many factors to be able to say conclusively that natural fibres will not cause scratches and artificial fibres will.
JonM
Iâ€â„¢m an advocate of using 100% cotton (DFTowels) but thatâ€â„¢s not to say using a certain material will not cause scratches or is forgiving of poor application technique
Scratch resistance has a lot to do with the material used in the towel and the way the fibres are processed and spun, there are too many factors to be able to say conclusively that natural fibres will not cause scratches and artificial fibres will.
JonM
Bill D
Hooked For Life
I have both the high quality mfs and DF Towels and I use the "regular synthetics" more often than the DFs. I think the synthetics do a better job when QDing with a non wax QD. The DFs are best for spray wax products like Crystal Mist and outstanding for buffing off waxes like Souveran. In fact I have a pair of DF bonnets on the way to use with the PC.