Corvette Body Cleaning

[wwr]

I read in the archives that almost everyone suggested using 100% cotton towels (without using softner when washing them) to wash the body of a Corvette. The "Detailing Bible" guy says this also. My question is has anybody ever seen the condition of 100% cotton towels after they've beenwashed and dried? Aren't they sort of uh, uh, hard? Microfiber was also mentioned. I just don't want those dag gum swirls.


THANKS, WWR

 

[Patrick]

WWR,
I'm assuming when refer to "the archives" you're referencing THIS thread. There's some useful advice in there about how to avoid paint swirls.

Personally, I only use micro-fibre towels when I do my washing and waxing. You can get them by the dozen off the shelf at Walmart, and they do a great job of helping to advoid paint swirls when you remove polish or wax.

-Patrick

 

['04 Torch Red]

The problem with the micro fiber towels that you can get cheap is that they ARE cheap and will still put fine scrratches in your clear coat because they do not have enough fiber count per square inch as the American made micro fiber towels do....in this case...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR...

Note...those "dozen" you can get for a few bucks ARE great for cleaning the undercarriage of my Vette...so thats why I DO buy them:L

WWR,
I'm assuming when refer to "the archives" you're referencing THIS thread. There's some useful advice in there about how to avoid paint swirls.

Personally, I only use micro-fibre towels when I do my washing and waxing. You can get them by the dozen off the shelf at Walmart, and they do a great job of helping to advoid paint swirls when you remove polish or wax.

-Patrick

 

[Joe C]

I read in the archives that almost everyone suggested using 100% cotton towels (without using softner when washing them) to wash the body of a Corvette. The "Detailing Bible" guy says this also. My question is has anybody ever seen the condition of 100% cotton towels after they've beenwashed and dried? Aren't they sort of uh, uh, hard? Microfiber was also mentioned. I just don't want those dag gum swirls.


THANKS, WWR

100% cotton towels - man, they need to get out of the 60's! no flames here, just kidding, but microfiber is the only way to go PERIOD!!! here a fairly good link to microfiber tech info:

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/inf-microfiber.html

for washing, there is a microfiber mit, or i use a microfiber waffle weave towel, and another for drying. microfiber works great to clean windows, polishing, waxing, etc. i have a black z06, and with the soft clear coat, one has to take extra care. remember get only quality microfiber products. i deal with www.properautocare.com those swirls you mentioned, are almost impossible to avoid. periodic maintenance using a a quaility polish, swirl remover, and wax, or the zaino system is the best way to avoid them. www.autopia.org has a great detailing e-book you can download. there's a chapter on "the ultimate shine". it outlines everything you heed to know.

hope this helps -

Joe C - 2004 black/mod red z06, 1985 silver graphite z51 (both daily drivers)

 

[Remo]

I use two of those big-ole soft Turkish Towels. First towel sucks up the heavy beaded water drops. Second towel totally dries the sufaces. I wash the towels after each use. No obvious swirls so far - but silver metallics are very forgiving colors.

Remo:cool

 

[mqqn]

Hi WWR -

I notice that - but it's OK. They will not scratch.

If it scares you (and it might...) just dampen them prior to drying your car.

Use a towel with a plush knap, and repalce them if the "fluff" fibers start wearing thin.

My philosophy is that I avoid wiping the car as much as possible.

This means that once a month or so, as needed, I bucket wash the car.

On all other times, when it is dusty but not "dirty", I spray wash the car at the pressure wash.

This has worked for me in keeping the small swirls out of the finish on my Z.

I wish the previous owner of our coupe (black...) had followed the same thinking...

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Vetteye]

mggn,
Advice from Joe C and recommended web sites are excellent. I have consulted and purchased their products. If you investigate buffing, polishing, waxing, cotton is an abrasive product compared to microfiber. I use Mezzerna intensive polish, and final polish and Soveriegn Pinnacle canuba wax. My biggest issue is the orange peal in the paints of all corvettes

 

[mqqn]

mggn,
Advice from Joe C and recommended web sites are excellent. I have consulted and purchased their products. If you investigate buffing, polishing, waxing, cotton is an abrasive product compared to microfiber. I use Mezzerna intensive polish, and final polish and Soveriegn Pinnacle canuba wax. My biggest issue is the orange peal in the paints of all corvettes

Hi Vetteye -

Thanks for that info.

I have tried microfiber towels. They are ok, but I still don't trust them.

The links provided above are folks selling microfiber towels. I find that most folks who are selling a product tend to be pretty high on the product.

The one picture they provide as "proof" that cotton scratches paint is also accompanied by the following disclaimer: " I was not able to get more information, including magnification or toweling specifications. "

Sketchy at best IMO.

I will not say that MF towels will scratch, but I will say that clean 100% cotton terry will NOT. This is from YEARS of using cotton terry, and I will put my Z06's paint up against any other three and a half year old car with regard to swirls from wiping. (I do have rock chips from driving the car).

Links to back up 100% cotton terry towels as a safe product to use on automotive paint:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=TOWELS&Store_Code=Z

http://www.meguiars.com/fastrack/fastrack_browse.cfm

http://applications.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43778/article.html

http://www.smartmotorist.com/det/det.htm

I could post hundreds more - literally.

If someone loves microfiber towels, they should use them - I have no quarrell with that. However, 100% cotton towels will not cause scratches on paint - unless there is dirt in the towel.

Think about this - if the MF towels can trap so much more moisture (and presumably more dirt particles) couldn't you then extrapolate that and conclude that the MF towels have more likelyhood to trap dirt and then cause scratches that result from dirt being trapped in the towel and rubbed around the surface of the car?

I am not wanting to start an argument - but this is the first time I have seen anyone challenge good old 100% cotton terry towels.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[vetmaniac]

I've used a wash mitt and the "Absorber" (synthetic chamois) to dry - never a problem with scratching the finish ever.

 

[Vetteye]

vettemaniac,

I respect anyone who really appreciates a clean car. I have had 6 different corvettes starting with a 1966. Loved everyone! along with 32 ford street rod 2 year build. I have experimented and used many products on the market, I currently use microfiber mit for washing, drying towel, and polishing and waxing and have excellent results. Obviously we are not talking about scratches but swirls. Like many things everyone uses what works for them, that's what counts. I am only passing on my experiences and experiments.
I have tried a large variety of clays, polishes, and waxes, from low end to high end. Again, everyone one uses what works best for them, I would recommend very strongly the Soveriegn Pinnacle Carnuba if you are inclined. I have tried four different ones over the last 10 months, and found what I believe to be an excellent wax that has great results and is easy to apply and remove, also using multiple layers.
Only some ideas, obviously the responses are from people that really concentrate on the shine and thats great whatever is used.
Keep it clean,

 

[mqqn]

vettemaniac,

I respect anyone who really appreciates a clean car. I have had 6 different corvettes starting with a 1966. Loved everyone! along with 32 ford street rod 2 year build. I have experimented and used many products on the market, I currently use microfiber mit for washing, drying towel, and polishing and waxing and have excellent results. Obviously we are not talking about scratches but swirls. Like many things everyone uses what works for them, that's what counts. I am only passing on my experiences and experiments.
I have tried a large variety of clays, polishes, and waxes, from low end to high end. Again, everyone one uses what works best for them, I would recommend very strongly the Soveriegn Pinnacle Carnuba if you are inclined. I have tried four different ones over the last 10 months, and found what I believe to be an excellent wax that has great results and is easy to apply and remove, also using multiple layers.
Only some ideas, obviously the responses are from people that really concentrate on the shine and thats great whatever is used.
Keep it clean,

Hi Vetteeye -

I am going to test this out - I am going to start using only the mico towels on our black car - It alread has swirls from the previous owner, but I am in the process of polishing it to remove them.

I have always been intrigued by the thought of something working as well as the MF towels are said to - and I trust your experiences.

I'll give it a try!

best regards -

mqqn

 

[atmmac]

I use an absorber too. When im waxing i just grab an old tshirt from the laundry room that doesnt fit me anymore.