Microfiber Laws

Ok, so what are the detailing laws with microfibers towels and products?

I bought a set of Chemical Guys microfiber towels about 7 months ago before my first detail. I've noticed recently they aren't as awesome as before with drying my truck. They basically smear water.

Now I use all my towels for all things (wash/sealer/polish/wax/cleaning windows/interior) am I breaking mega rules here? Do the towels need to be product specific?

I wash them as directed and use a microfiber soap. All towels get washed together.

:S

 

I would personally if detailing my truck myself have certain rags for each product that way a new rag gets used and every time you reuse that product it isn't getting mixed with other products causing shitty results

 

If you use a wax or sealant on a rag and expect it to absorb water it won't.

Even if you're washing it. It may absorb some water, but never what it could had you not used the "wax" chemical on it.

 

http://adamspolishes.com/how-to-wash-microfiber-towels

Some good info in there. Pretty much what others stated, don't cross contaminate. Wash microfibers only with microfiber towels, don't mix with cotton for example. Don't use fabric softener. There are a few more things stated in the article if you care to read.

 

I typically have specific towels for products. I usually try to soak the towels in all purpose cleaner or if really bad dawn to try and break down the chemicals. I then machine wash with dedicated microfiber soap. I may sure and run multiple rinse cycles to remove the soap. I found that it helps the microfiber not lose its ability to absorb water. I find this handy when using Adams Guard and Gloss which is a water activated sealant.

 

Different products = different chemicals for each. Keep your towels product specific.

You don't want to wipe off your polish with the same towel that you used to wipe off you buffing compound (risking reintroducing the compound and scratching what you just polished), same with polish to wax.

Also, if you're washing all of your towels together, you can "cross-contaminate" them. Say, 2 out of the 10 towels were used for wax; after washing, they'll all have a little bit of wax residue.

Lastly, sometimes it's easier to just throw away certain towels than to try to wash them. I usually throw the "dirty window" and "Wax Wipe-Off" towels away than risk cross-contaminating (either wax or heavy amounts of dirt).

 

Agree..

Gotta' Keep em' separated

 

Definitely specific towels for specific things. Also don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets when washing them.

 

Song just popped into my head and is now stuck there....

https://youtu.be/XN32lLUOBzQ

 

This happens to a couple drying towels I have. Before you start drying your truck hit your drying towel lightly with a hose (doesn't need to be dripping wet) then wring it out. Start drying your truck & it should suck the water right up!

 

So, you're basically turning your microfiber towel into a chamois?

 

The most absorbent microfiber is a waffle weave. For removing compound/polish/sealant/wax the more plush towels are ideal. Like everyone else said never mix your towels. Use separate towels for drying the lower portion of the truck after washing as well as specified wheel towels.

 

You can also look into the pooling technique after a wash.

 

Yes, a waffle weave microfiber drying towel. Not sure if the OP is using a waffle weave or not. Been using one for about 10 years now.

 

Dilute some all purpose cleaner ("APC") in a pail of water. Maybe 6-8oz APC per gallon of water (no need to be precise). Then spray each towel individually with the undiluted APC until each is soaked. Then put the towels in the bucket of diluted APC for half a day (again, precision with time not required- 24hrs is fine too). Agitate a couple times by hand during that time span.

Then rinse/wring them out a few times under the faucet with hot water (as hot as you can stand). Then run them through a hot cycle in the wash with your usual mf detergent. Then run a second warm cycle with no soap. Tumble dry low.

You can pick up a gallon of APC pretty cheaply at hardware or big box stores. Sounds like a fairly abrasive process, but it's just a last ditch effort to get some additional life out of towels that aren't performing well anyway.

 

Also, if you have a towel acting up brush it out with a dog brush then wash again. Rescued many towels this way.

 

So do you guys just have a crap ton of towels?

For me to wash each type of towel seperate would mean going like 6 loads for 4-5 towels each. So do you guys just have a bunch then wash them once a year when you have enough towels to do a load?

In some cases I'd be washing 1 or 2 towels. Only when I do a full detail would I have a respectible amount to wash.

 

I'm the same way.. After I use 2 or 3 of my towels I rinse them real good in the sink then hang them on my rack to dry. I then put them in a Walmart bag until I get enough to wash. (All of them in one load!)

 

When you get a 36-pack at Costco for $16, ya. They're good quality, and if they wear out, they're really cheap to replace.

 

1. my shop vac has a removable motor head with a blower attachment, easy drying and gets in the crevices a towel misses. Maybe look for a cheap electric leaf blower.
2. I have been using the costco microfiber towels, and i gotta say they are impressive for the cost. I always end up wondering which towel went to what bottle of detailing crap, so i eventually just pull another as they are so cheap. The only thing i dont use them for is buffing off the wax, but i do apply with them. I always buff of with a meguiars. Paint looks fine. Theyre not top of the line, but they are far from the bottom.