The Absorber Sucks!!!

percynjpn said:
That's a good point; the fact that you can continue to use it after being wrung out (unlike WWs or other "towels") is something that WW fans usually fail to include in their rational. I do think MF drying towels are excellent for their absorption volume, but for the minamal cost of an Absorber (or even a large, fluffy pure cotton bath towel), I don't see what's so special about a $35 WW.
Click to expand...



The big fluffy and relatively cheap microfibers from walmart/target are pretty good for drying. If you like cotton towels already.

targetdryingtowel.jpg
 
I love my Absorber. I have two of them one pink & the other one aqua colored. I use the Aqua on the hood, roof, trunk & 3/4s of the doors & fenders. The other is for rims, & lower areas of the car. I find that there are two things you must due with the absorber for it to be succesful.......... use it . It needs to be used a couple of times for it to become very absorbent. The second thing is never let it dry out . You must store it very damp in the plastic cylinder it came in, if you let it dry out throw it out. I have used the same 2 for over 2 years now & they work great for the first part of drying. Just sweep it over the car once & move on to your favorite MF to finish it off.
 
I've stopped using any drying product that creates friction.



I found the friction reduces the wax durability.



Of all the drying methods, I've found WW to be the best for *me*. Much faster, safer, and pleasurable to use.



I don't have an issue with wringing, as I use two per car, and I don't find them that expensive.



For those who use The Absorber, here's some usage advice at MOL: MOL Link.
 
rockyram said:
Tried my new $20 Absorber for the first time today and man did it suck.Drags across the surface,even when I tried blotting it still didn't absorb that much water.I'm going to try and take it back to Zellers.So I used my good old CWB.Just have to make sure it is clean along with your paint surface.I guess I'll try and get a WW.Anyone tried the WW's from Eshine?I'm in Vancouver so the availability is limited.
Click to expand...



I agree, it does 'suck'.The â€ËœAbsorber is also a synthetic chamois drying cloth with the inherent problem of any flat weave drying towel; it breaks the surface tension to â€Ëœliftâ€â„¢ the water from the surface along with any protective wax.

JonM
 
I use the Absorber to rid excess water off the car that will really soak up a waffle weave fast.



I use the absorber on the roof and hood. Then I water blade all the windows. I use 2 MF towels to competely dry the windows and then use a WW drying towel to dry the rest of the car. The other spots I used the absorber first before finishing up with the towel are parts where water accumulates.....in the fog light cut outs, and side view mirrors. The absorber works great for me soaking up large quanities of water fast....but u do need to give it a final wipe with a drying towel
 
Even with consistent use with two separate Absorbers of different ages,I really am dissatisfied with the amount of water it can handle. Far too little. Never mind the nature of this material and potential hazards on paint, I truly see no comparison to a ww or even a quality terry.
 
I still use an Absorber as part of my drying regimen. Drying first with the Absorber and following up with a single WW or a Microtex drying towel and have plenty of dry (not damp) towel left over.



In my experience, the Absorber is superior for drying purposes to either of the microfiber towel products. After the MF towels are completely wet, they are pretty much worthless regardless of any attempts to wring them out. When the Absorber is saturated, you wring it out and keep drying.



As far as the Absorber removing wax; if it does I can't imagine it removes any more than any other material (ie. microfiber).
 
My experience is just the opposite. Like I said it's a "one man's trash/another's treasure" type product. Regardless how much I wring them out, they just do not perform to my expectations. Also,I'm more concerned about this rubber product marring the paint more so than than wax or sealant removal. It boils down to "different strokes for different folks" I guess
 
I still use my absorber pretty reguarly. I have found i can easily get a panel or two perfectly dry before having to wring it out, which i can deal with. Usually do roof, wring, all the windows, wring, hood, wring, trunk lid, wring, then i can usually get each side and wring after each. Dunno, I like it. Like Bill said, personal preference
 
Because of its ability to keep on sucking up water, unlike a WW, which once its saturated it done, I could see this being a good tool for a pro who might have to detail many cars in one day, run on sentence.
 
Corey Bit Spank said:
The big fluffy and relatively cheap microfibers from walmart/target are pretty good for drying. If you like cotton towels already.

[/IMG]
Click to expand...



Sounds great, but there aren't any Walmarts or Targets in the greater Tokyo area that I know of! :)
 
percynjpn said:
Sounds great, but there aren't any Walmarts or Targets in the greater Tokyo area that I know of! :)
Click to expand...

Try one of the many e-tailors that sell quality WW, like Pakshack.com.
 
I have been using the Absorber for quite a while and I am happy with it. After washing the car, I do a "final rinse" of sheeting water. I like the fact that it can be wrung out and reused. I haven't had a chance to use the WW towels yet, but I am happy with the results of my current method. Although I am thinking of trying the WW out of curiosity.
 
I've used all styles of drying towel, some very good, some not.



After trying WW, nothing compares.



The issue of wringing is overstated IMO. Just buy two WWs and it's a non-issue.



They'll last 'till kingdom come, will speed your drying four-fold, and won't reduce your wax durability.
 
Actually in my transition from towels/chamous up to eventually WW/M/F the Absorber was a good tool .. and less harmful than the towels / chamous ..



And when I got my first M/F I used the Absorber to pre dry the car by just holding the cornes of it and pulling it over the flat surfaces. There wasn't the friction of using it the other way. Then I followed with the M/F to final dry ..



Now its all M/F ..
 
I think Rocky is still in that learning curve with the ABSORBER. That cold canadian air slows down the synaps firing in the brain.



I've used an ABSORBER for 15 yrs and have never had a problem. Wipe it down once follow with a nice clean & fluffy terry towel and Im good to go.
 
My drying technique:



I use a leaf blower to dry (making sure that the whole ground is wet so that it doesn't suck up crap to shoot at the paint and then blot with WW 4* MF.



This way I can get the jams and cracks that the WW can't get to with less friction...



In my opinion any friction on the paint (even clay if not used right) can swirl/scratch. Even when I use my mits to properly wash I do some CC damage. I'm still perfecting my washing technique (two buckets, two mitts, etc) until I can get the least CC damaging method possible. But minimizing dragging anything that would contain grit and dirt should be the goal of any detailer....



Drying can be fun!!!:xyxthumbs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top