Microfibre mitts vs lambs wool mitts?

S

Speedraser

New member
Which is better? I want to do everything I can to avoid swirls/scratches on my new Onyx Black (metallic) car. I've heard conflicting opinions -- some prefer microfibre, some prefer lambs wool. I know that some cheaper microfibre products are not well-regarded, but I have a set of Griot's microfibre mitts and, FWIW, I've used them a few times on the car and there is no evidence of swirls or scratches so far. However, I'll switch to lambs wool if it's the better choice. BTW, I use two mitts and two buckets, and dry by patting with a microfibre towel.
 
I have used both the Microfiber ones with dread locks and the sheep wool ones (Dodo Juice wookies) and personally i have to say i like the wookies better. Just make sure you are using at least a 5 gallon bucket as they are thirsty.
 
Use a MF mitt. I like the Cobra ones from Pinnacle. MF has the ability to trap dirt, and keep it away from the paint. Actually it is pretty amazing how much dirt a MF can trap when using a product like ONR. I also feel MF has better scrubbing ability if you use some pressure, fo things like bugs etc.
 
brwill2005 said:
Use a MF mitt. I like the Cobra ones from Pinnacle. MF has the ability to trap dirt, and keep it away from the paint. Actually it is pretty amazing how much dirt a MF can trap when using a product like ONR. I also feel MF has better scrubbing ability if you use some pressure, fo things like bugs etc.
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MF mitts also hold onto that dirt and won't release it so you end up rubbing the dirt into the car's paint. I use sheep skin and don't like the MF mitts at all.



Sheep skins not only release dirt better than MF mitts they also glide over the paint much nicer. Less friction means easier on the LSP you have on the paint. I have noticed a significant decrease in durability of my LSP when you using MF mitts.



The people using rinseless washes that also use MF mitts compound the problem IMO. MF mitts don't release dirt well as it is but using a rinseless wash dirties your wash mitt much more than a regular wash does so the need to release dirt is even more important than it would be in a regular wash.
 
$40.00 for a washmit? Are you freekin kidding me? Geez you guys will buy anything...........I can guarantee you it wont accomplish any more a cared for quality natural sheepskin could do. Unless the pelt is considerably thicker, durability is identical. And I though I'd seen it all...........If I could find one a foot thick, I'd be a millionaire....
 
Anthony A said:
MF mitts also hold onto that dirt and won't release it so you end up rubbing the dirt into the car's paint. I use sheep skin and don't like the MF mitts at all.



Sheep skins not only release dirt better than MF mitts they also glide over the paint much nicer. Less friction means easier on the LSP you have on the paint. I have noticed a significant decrease in durability of my LSP when you using MF mitts.



The people using rinseless washes that also use MF mitts compound the problem IMO. MF mitts don't release dirt well as it is but using a rinseless wash dirties your wash mitt much more than a regular wash does so the need to release dirt is even more important than it would be in a regular wash.
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I'm with Anthony on this one. :hifive:



I find sheep-skin mitts are better. I go through the rack and find the heaviest, thickest pelt, as they do differ within the same brand/range. No price difference for being a little discerning.
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
$40.00 for a washmit? Are you freekin kidding me? Geez you guys will buy anything...........I can guarantee you it wont accomplish any more a cared for quality natural sheepskin could do. Unless the pelt is considerably thicker, durability is identical. And I though I'd seen it all...........If I could find one a foot thick, I'd be a millionaire....
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The product stupidity of the people on car forums never fails to amaze me. It's because they are product collectors not detailers. They are good for a laugh though.
 
That's if you pay $40 for the damn thing .. got it on a "going out of business sale" :)



Also it is just a hell of a lot more furr on it it then the meguiars ones for instance. Just a pain in the but to maintain, however fun to use.
 
I do not think there is any hard data to say lamb's wool is superior to microfiber in a regular or rinseless wash in terms of safety, lsp removal, cleaning. The goal is to balance cleaning with safety (less induced swirls). The fact that so many like the grout sponge seems to say that we really do not understand how paint is safely cleaner since it is counter to the eclectic wisdom.
 
Anthony A said:
MF mitts also hold onto that dirt and won't release it so you end up rubbing the dirt into the car's paint. I use sheep skin and don't like the MF mitts at all.



Sheep skins not only release dirt better than MF mitts they also glide over the paint much nicer. Less friction means easier on the LSP you have on the paint. I have noticed a significant decrease in durability of my LSP when you using MF mitts.



The people using rinseless washes that also use MF mitts compound the problem IMO. MF mitts don't release dirt well as it is but using a rinseless wash dirties your wash mitt much more than a regular wash does so the need to release dirt is even more important than it would be in a regular wash.
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Im with you anthony!:hifive:i like to use sheepskin on my cars i keep up and mf on cars that need so extra scrubbing! :LOLOL i also find if you use warm water instead a cold it helps mf/sheepskin release more contamination, but mf is still not as good as sheepkin!(my opinion)for matenance washing)
 
I use both and both have their pros/cons.



Yeah, the potential issue with MF is the dirt retention; the wool ones do seem to rinse clean better/easier.



But then I use a BHB for the initial passes, to get the "big stuff" off so I'm only dealing with "road film" type contamination by the time I switch to mitts.



Leaving aside the whole "use it with a foamgun!" issue....with any mitt, I fill it with shampoo mix and hold it shut at the cuff, whisking it across the paint in short, interrupted motions while the shampoo seeps out, providing some flushing and lubrication. Used that way, the mitt won't be pressed against the paint as firmly as if you just "wear it like a glove" so there oughta be less chance of grinding dirt into/against the paint (causing marring).



When you finally *do* get some wash-induced marring (and yeah, it *will* happen) check out how long the scratches are; if they're longer than an inch or two you're doing something very wrong, no matter *what* wash media you're using.
 
Accumulator said:
I use both and both have their pros/cons.



Yeah, the potential issue with MF is the dirt retention; the wool ones do seem to rinse clean better/easier.



But then I use a BHB for the initial passes, to get the "big stuff" off so I'm only dealing with "road film" type contamination by the time I switch to mitts.



Leaving aside the whole "use it with a foamgun!" issue....with any mitt, I fill it with shampoo mix and hold it shut at the cuff, whisking it across the paint in short, interrupted motions while the shampoo seeps out, providing some flushing and lubrication. Used that way, the mitt won't be pressed against the paint as firmly as if you just "wear it like a glove" so there oughta be less chance of grinding dirt into/against the paint (causing marring).



When you finally *do* get some wash-induced marring (and yeah, it *will* happen) check out how long the scratches are; if they're longer than an inch or two you're doing something very wrong, no matter *what* wash media you're using.
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+1



Although I use both, I find myself reaching for the microfiber mitt more often than I do the sheepskin one. I prefer the dirt retention and ability to scrub, and with the 2BM, the marring stays at a minimal.



Use whatever feels the most comfortable to you.



I'm with Patrick on the Wookie. $40 for a mitt? No thanks.
 
Anthony A said:
MF mitts also hold onto that dirt and won't release it so you end up rubbing the dirt into the car's paint. I use sheep skin and don't like the MF mitts at all.
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If you use a grit guard this doesn't seem to be a problem.. My MF mitt is always clean as new everytime I scrub it to the grit guard...



Frequent visit to the rinse bucket is more important for releasing dirt imo



Sheepskin mitt stands the same chance of marring as MF if you don't rinse it often



The argument should be on the fibers vs the wools..are the filaments actually safe to use on paint ?
 
Yeah, I was wondering that too, I bought a grout sponge years ago for less than 2 bucks - use it on my car (BLACK) GTI and customer's cars and never had any issues. I use a 3 gallon buck with a grit guard. Oh - and DG car wash.
 
sulla said:
If you use a grit guard this doesn't seem to be a problem.. My MF mitt is always clean as new everytime I scrub it to the grit guard...



Frequent visit to the rinse bucket is more important for releasing dirt imo



Sheepskin mitt stands the same chance of marring as MF if you don't rinse it often..
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So...I'd argue that the *best* thing is to not have the mitt retain dirt in the first place ;) When I wash a winter-filthy vehicle and my rinse buckets are basically still clean at the end of the wash, I'm confident that my dislodge-and-flush method was working OK.



Once a wash medium retains dirt, it's harboring abrasive stuff, right? Why drag something harboring abrasive stuff across the paint if you can avoid it..



The argument should be on the fibers vs the wools..are the filaments actually safe to use on paint ?
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IMO it's a matter of "safe enough". No need to be safer than "non-marring" and some of my softest BHBs are actually *too* gentle for effective cleaning of truly dirty vehicles. Once a wash medium is "too soft" you might be tempted to use bad technique (excessive pressure, etc.) in an attempt to "force" it to clean better.



As for whether it's safe to use in the first place, same ol' same ol'...gotta CD-test wash media on a regular basis to make sure you're using something that won't mar the paint in-and-of itself.
 
sulla said:
If you use a grit guard this doesn't seem to be a problem.. My MF mitt is always clean as new everytime I scrub it to the grit guard...



Frequent visit to the rinse bucket is more important for releasing dirt imo



Sheepskin mitt stands the same chance of marring as MF if you don't rinse it often



The argument should be on the fibers vs the wools..are the filaments actually safe to use on paint ?
Click to expand...



I have never seen a grit guard get all the dirt out of a MF mitt. Simply rubbing a mitt against the grit guard will not dislodge all the crap deep in the MF fibers. This is not an issue with sheep skin.



Frequent visits to the rinse bucket are very important IMO to but keep in mind there are many rinseless wash advocates on here that DO NOT use a rinse bucket at all.



Nobody said MF marred the paint. It's the grit that it retains that does the marring.



Both MF and sheep skin are safe materials to use on paint. Where the problem comes in is what job you use them for. While MF is safe for paint it's not good for washing since it retains abrasive junk too easily compared to Sheep skin.



Another factor besides marring is LSP durability. Feel the drag of a MF on the paint when washing even with a very slick soap. Than feel the sheep skin just glide across the paint. Big difference and it does affect the durability of the LSP.
 
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