question for the old schoolers

G

glfahlc1

New member
i just ordered a natural chamois cuz i just love the way they soak up water. it says to wash before use. my question is what type soap do i wash it in. i have optimum car wash soap or do i use dish soap. maybe you guys can give me some insight. nothin takes up water like a chamois....period
 
You may be right, but it also grabs unlike a good waffle weave drying towel.
glfahlc1 said:
i just ordered a natural chamois cuz i just love the way they soak up water. it says to wash before use. my question is what type soap do i wash it in. i have optimum car wash soap or do i use dish soap. maybe you guys can give me some insight. nothin takes up water like a chamois....period
Click to expand...
 
I'm not an authority on this, but my opinion is to use a bar of mild hand soap to clean it and then rinse and squeeze dry. I've heard of some people throwing them in a washing machine but I think that's too aggressive. Also, I'd avoid using strong detergents, as they'd strip the chamois of the oils used to "tan" them, which would cause the chamois to become harder and more brittle/shorten the lifespan.
 
There should be directions on it, but mild soap in cold water is what I recall. IMO those are old school and the waffle weaves on the market are far better
 
I washed mine in a very mild solution of DP Microfiber Cleaner in my wash machine. There is a lot of oil left on these that must be washed away other wise you will get streaking and shedding the first couple of uses.
 
Todd Helme said:
I washed mine in a very mild solution of DP Microfiber Cleaner in my wash machine. There is a lot of oil left on these that must be washed away other wise you will get streaking and shedding the first couple of uses.
Click to expand...

thanks todd, i have some cg m/f cleaner so i'll use that. man you're a wealth of info. much appreciated
 
WOW talk about old school. I haven't used a real chamois in 20 years at least. What ever you do don't drop it.
 
I would say not to drop anything, waffle weave included. I still use one of those 'Absorber' fake chamois which is stored in a case. Never had any issues with it on any car.
 
Wash it in Woolite & water at a 10 to 1 dilution. Rinse extremely well. Use it, enjoy it.
Other than windows I think you can do far better but that is the correct way to break it in.
 
Used those all the time way before microfiber anything was invented. Back when a gas station was really a "Service Station", you pulled up, ran over the cable that tripped the bell, someone came out, asked you what you needed, started the gas pump, opened the hood, checked oil, battery, windshield water, power steering, closed the hood, got a little rectangular sponge out of the barrel of water, ran the chamois through the wringer, and washed and dried all your glass, all the way around the car.
Then finished the gas, checked all 4 tires, got the credit card and ran it, gave you the card to sign, pulled off the carbon copy, handed it to you, and you said Thanks!
The Chamois was really great at absorbing the mild soapy solution off the glass and leaving clean sparkling glass.
If you dropped it, you rinsed it off, and since it is a smooth tanned, skin, nothing stuck to it like what sticks to microfiber anything today. Just rinse and run it through the wringer and you are ready to go.
All the great chamois come from the U.K. and they would probably have the best advice on care and feeding of it.
Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
Used those all the time way before microfiber anything was invented. Back when a gas station was really a "Service Station", you pulled up, ran over the cable that tripped the bell, someone came out, asked you what you needed, started the gas pump, opened the hood, checked oil, battery, windshield water, power steering, closed the hood, got a little rectangular sponge out of the barrel of water, ran the chamois through the wringer, and washed and dried all your glass, all the way around the car.
Then finished the gas, checked all 4 tires, got the credit card and ran it, gave you the card to sign, pulled off the carbon copy, handed it to you, and you said Thanks!
Dan F
Click to expand...

Dan ... that brings back memories. I worked at a "Supertest" service station while going to college and did all the above plus you did this with 4-5 cars in the station at one time running from car to car. Sorry, didn't mean to get this thread off track.
 
I have a few "Prince of Wales" chamois, and while they may be old school, I still love using them from time to time.
 
i still like chamois because i used it for such a long time, but since using a waffle weave guzzler, i have to say that i'm a convert. i think it's easier on the finish and still soaks up a ton of water.
 
Okay, you've all talked me into trying one of those guzzlers.. Dumb question, but do you wring it out when it gets soaked and use it again, like a chamois??
 
DeuceRon said:
Okay, you've all talked me into trying one of those guzzlers.. Dumb question, but do you wring it out when it gets soaked and use it again, like a chamois??
Click to expand...

If you need to.

The largest Guzzler can dry an entire car with no wringing in my experience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top