When washing and waxing your cars (actually all forms of detailing), what kind of towels do everyone use? (cotton, microfiber, etc...)

 

maybe I should be more specific. I just ordered Zaino products so this is really for all you Zaino users out there. Thanks.

 

Microfiber towels. I use http://www.dftowel.com/ to wax dry take wax/polish off etc etc etc.

 

Zaino Towels

here

 

Microfiber towels at Costco. 20 ea. for about $10. They wash quite well in the washing machine. I have washed the towels about 3 times and they do a great job for washing, polishing and waxing. When they start to wear down, I'll open another bag of towels.

 

I use what Zaino recommends, 100% cotton made in the USA. I use microfiber towels on the interior and on the windows.

 

What I dont like about cotton towels are the lables that can scratch your car, and the stiching that can also scratch your car. With these df towels I have, there is no such thing.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. I think I'll try the df towels. How many do you think I'll need?

 

I always like to use a high quality microfiber towel that will last long as well. These towels have lasted really long for me and the tags are meant to be removed easily. Additionally the stitching in these towels is paint safe as well, I've seen some cheaper brands with nylon threading so be careful when you make your microfiber selection. The nylon will surely mess up a good paint job.

 

I use at least two xtra-large to dry (sometimes 3), then 1 for the z6 and two for removing wax/polish.

Remember, if you want to put two layers, after you remove first layer and Z6, you can go wash and dry your towels while you apply the 2nd coat. That way you dont have to buy 6 xtra large 3 large and 2 medium like me.

 

I use a mix of both Cotton Towels (per Frank Z) and Microfiber. Here is my breakdown:

Drying the Car - I use the Big Blue MF from http://www.properautocare.com/biglitblutow.html This thing sucks up massive amounts of water and requires NO pressure and/or rubbing to lift the water off the paint.

Z2Pro and Z5 Removal - I use 100% cotton, made in the USA, towels from WalMart. I cut them into 12" squares and wash them twice before using them. Frank is right, you can't beat cotton for buffing off the product.

Buffing on and off Z6 and Z8 - I use a ULTIMATE PLUSH MF towel from http://www.waynestowels.com/. Wayne claims that it's "Zaino Certified", but who knows. I sometimes go back over the car with the Plush MF after I buff off the Z5 or 2 with the cotton towel.

Not to sound completely insane, but all of my towels get washed (the cotton and the MF are washed seperately) and then stored in tupperware bins to keep them free of dirt, dog hair, etc. I'm not crazy, I just hate swirl marks...

HTH

 

cotton & microfiber...

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned pakshak yet. If you go on autopia.org, you'll read nothing but good things about their customer service and products. I think that's where I'm buying from next.

And I second the Big Blue for drying.

 

So I've been using microfiber clothes to wash and buff, and towels to dry - but I decided to try some of the Costco cotton towels yesterday and I have a question - how do you guys keep the cotton from getting all over the car? Everytime I wiped/buffed I left a slew of little cotton peices all over the car that I had to re-wipe with the microfiber towels.

 

Simply don't dry with cotton towels. Buy some waffle weave towels, you'll be surprised how much water they absorb. The Big Blue linked above is one of the best products you can get.