What wash mitts to use?

T

thedetailer

New member
So...Just spent 7 hours polishing the swirls out of my Black GMC Denali and washed it...now I have put some new swirls on the car with a brand new mitt.



I have been detailing cars for about 5 years now and have always used the standard wool mitt, but after seeing what it has done to my black beauty I am thinking I need a change.



What do you guys in the detailing world use? I need a mitt that will handle multiple uses and not break down quickly because I normally do 3 or 4 details in a day and sometimes more washes.



Thanks,
 
thedetailer said:
So...Just spent 7 hours polishing the swirls out of my Black GMC Denali and washed it...now I have put some new swirls on the car with a brand new mitt.



I have been detailing cars for about 5 years now and have always used the standard wool mitt, but after seeing what it has done to my black beauty I am thinking I need a change.



What do you guys in the detailing world use? I need a mitt that will handle multiple uses and not break down quickly because I normally do 3 or 4 details in a day and sometimes more washes.



Thanks,
Click to expand...



Welcome to Autopia!



Fellow Denali(XL) owner here.



Assuming the mitt in question passes the CD-test (tested wet with shampoo mix, appropriate pressure, etc.) it's almost certainly a matter of wash *technique* rather than the mitt itself. Real sheepskin mitts oughta be plenty soft enough for the GM clear. But there are some mitts that aren't as soft as one might expect.



The topic of how to wash without marring is too involved for me to rehash here/now, but I bet that *is* the problem. No, abrasive dirt doesn't get sucked up away from the paint or safely cushioned by the nap of the mitt (at least not to any significant extent). Rather, the mitt is pressing abrasive dirt against the paint, and when the mitt is then moved under pressure the dirt causes scratches. Plus, once the mitt gets dirty (say, in the first few inches of travel across the paint), it then becomes similar to sandpaper. As you might now realize, this is a somewhat tricky subject, more complicated than one might first think.
 
i use both the sm arnold sheepskin mitt and lowes proline grout sponge, though i've been using the GS more often these days. if you haven't tried a GS, give it a try, here are a few things i like about them...

1. only $2

2. very soft and lasts practically forever

3. rinses out easy and maneuverable into tight spots

4. dries quickly without having to worry about it getting moldy or stiff like other wash media's

5. agitates/squeezes easy to keep the water soapy
 
Best recommendation would be to "ACE" the mitts and move up to grout sponges.....We havent used mitts in over 20yrs, and I never would think of using one on a customers vehicle.



Mitts will trap dirt and debris, and when dunked in the bucket these particles do not always come off the mitt, they attach to the fibers. Where the sponge has a better chance of blowing these contaminants off when the sponge is squeezed out in clean water bucket. I recommend a 2 bucket system, one with clean/clear water for in between rinses of the sponge and one with soap for shampooing the vehicle.



Over the years we have conducted independent tests on customers black vehicles using the sponge vs. mitt theory. Mitts left excessive fine hairline scratches and more cobwebbing then the sponges. Sponges since they are capable of being squeezed and debris blown out left no scratches.



Hands down we use and only recommend a good quality grout sponge....



Dave
 

Attachments

  • sponge2.jpg
    sponge2.jpg
    26 KB · Views: 379
The Pro-Line at Lowes is my favorite wash mitt. I've always used the Shmitt or an expensive type, but when I got on the bandwagon and tried the GS I was skeptical. When I opened the plastic wrapper and felt it I knew it would be an asset to my company. Then when I was washing my first clients vehicle with it I noticed that I could get into many crevices that couldn't be acheived with other brands. You can manipulate it to get into the smallest areas and even remove wax residue out of cracks. Furthermore, they're cheap, so every time I go to lowes to get some PP, tape, and Folex I always grab a few; so I have about a hundred now if I need them, but they do last a while. There also good for getting rims clean, although I mainly use the EZ detail brush and a Swissvax with Bores Hair for that. Love the GS"s, and highly recommend them.



Oh, and I also do this professionally, and the cost, even if you use more of the GS's wasn't anymore than a boutique brand.
 
Oh geeeez here we go again...........Gimee a few and I will be able to find the Sheepskin vs. GS thread........

Been using Sheepskin ever since I can remember. I use it on every vehicle I detail. Tried a GS........ONCE............and never touched another except for washing walls at home before painting.

Didnt someone once say "Find something you like and use it often"?

I have, lol. ........Thats my opinion, and Im stickin to it.
 
My two cents. Accumulator and a.k.a. Patrick have way more experience than I, and Patrick's "find something you like and use it" hits home.



I tried a grout sponge two years ago, and have stayed with it. I always go with two buckets, and I am very light on the sponge. It's worked for me, though I am suspecting that you could do the same with mitts (might try it, I still have some).



No, I don't shine shop lights on my cars to see all the swirls, though I do squint through my bifocals in sunlight. I figure I'm at 95-98% on my new BMW, and a little less so on the Focus (though it is time for a little "Focus love"). They both look really good. I get my greater joy out of driving them, and that's what it about.



I guess I'm trying to say that there are a number of ways to get a detailing task done, but the big variable is the person with the foam gun/polisher, etc. in his hands.



Sorry to digress, but I get to stay up late now. School starts tomorrow, and I retired back in June!
 
I use and like the Schmitt. I don't have any other mitts. This doesn't have any fibers like sheep skin or MF mitts do, so if there is anything on it after you dunk it in the water you will see it, then dunk it again or just pick whatever it is off. I haven't had problems with them.
 
though i use a grit guard (in a bucket) with the GS, i don't think it's really necessary. once you wash a panel, just hose it off or squeeze/agititate it in the bucket and it rinses clean...
 
I've had excellent success with autogeek's purple cobra junior MF towels and ONR.



I havn't used mitts at all this year - I find they tend to trap and sometimes not release dirt. Actually, the reason I'm using ONR+MF towel right now is because of a similar story as yours - freshly polished soft black paint. Looked great. Washed it 2weeks later and........swirl city. With an almost brand-new fit. F-that.
 
I use the discontinued Meg's Gold Class ultra plush mitt or a no-name microfiber mitt I got from Strauss. The MF mitt was extremely cheap but effective and swirl free.
 
ninobrn99 said:
i know the big blue got a redesign. Have you seen that one? Im pretty sure it was smaller and softer.
Click to expand...



i think the only thing new was the half circle notches in the middle on both sides...
 
im going to my local detail shop tomorrow. Ill double check :) I know they removed the notches (i kinda liked it).



I have a grout sponge too, I havent tried using it on the car though. I feel it's too stiff for my taste.
 
293_1_m_4.jpg




they need to knock it down to two inches and it would be the same height as the HD/Lowes grout sponges...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top