Microfibers scratch paint

[smokeum]

I noticed bird poop on my car right after i washed it so i got a new mf and the qd out.I sprayed with qd and wiped with the mf.It left horrible scratches.I thought they wouldnt scratch but that isnt the case.They scratch as bad or worse than any other towel.

 

[dternst]

I noticed bird poop on my car right after i washed it so i got a new mf and the qd out.I sprayed with qd and wiped with the mf.It left horrible scratches.I thought they wouldnt scratch but that isnt the case.They scratch as bad or worse than any other towel.

Where did you buy the MF towels?

 

[gnahc79]

you did the following, right?



- spray qd on poo

- let it sit for a few minutes

- lightly wipe off poo



if you were rubbing the surface of the paint with bits of poop in the towel, it's not the towel's fault .

 

[smokeum]

I bought them at advance auto parts.I dont see how that would matter a great deal.They look like most of the others ive seen.

 

[smokeum]

Well maybe it was the poo that scratched because i didnt let the qd sit long.

 

[imported_pappy]

if you were rubbing the surface of the paint with bits of poop in the towel, it's not the towel's fault .

Couldnt have said it better.

 

[ZaneO]

It matters a GREAT deal where you buy them from, where they are made, etc.



I would look into buying some high quality towels, like those from www.pakshak.com or www.exceldetail.com

 

[Wasatch]

I agree with ZaneO, it does matter a whole lot. I have some MFs from WalMart and some from SMP and there night a day, and I'm talking about the Pro Detailing Ones, not the Plusher Ones.

 

[gnahc79]

It matters a GREAT deal where you buy them from, where they are made, etc.



I would look into buying some high quality towels, like those from www.pakshak.com or www.exceldetail.com

I agree. I have a bunch of pakshak towels and love em . You still can put scratches on a car with pakshak towels, though.

 

[imported_Blake]

Be very careful wiping poo or anything. If it's the best towel in the world the crap could still scratch.

 

[Intercooled]

Bird Poo is VERY abrasive. Any wipping action will sure mar the surface. You need to soak it good and try a lifting action ,very carefully!! Also bird poo is very acidic, always remove as soon as you see it!

I remember a while ago there was a pretty in depth discussion about bird bombs, try the search for "bird poop" or "bird bombs".

 

[tkr128]

I agree. MF towels are constructed differently from vendor to vendor. There are quite a few differences between a good towel and one that will cause marring. I found David's article on Microfiber very informative. Better Car Care: Microfiber



Additionally, bird dropping is VERY abrasive. You can get marring from wiping dust across the surface (even with QD), so it's not surprising that the larger particles of bird droppings will cause more damage. This is one of the reasons why I don't QD very much anymore, a wash is just much safer.

 

[lbls1]

It highly depends on the brand. In general, avoid any mf's you see being sold at a carwash (my beater goes to the carwash, not car #1 ), or at flea markets and such.



Spend the bucks and only get quality mf's like from Autopia, Griot's Garage, and CalCarCover.



I have used Griot's and Zymol's mf's and have had nothing but excellent results. Scratching (even beyond marring) is totally unacceptable in any towel or cleaning product.



Good luck, and you could probably compound those scratches out if they're not bad.



PS: You must wet and dab away bird bombs. Never drag your rag on them. Yup been there and learned the hard way. Droppings can be quite lethal on car finishes.