Raptor75

I hand washed my car for the 1st time this year, we hit 60 in Chicago. I did my normal routine for wash and was about to dry it. I was about to use my usual cotton towels when I remembered my daughter bought me some towels for X-mas. She is only six and knew daddy loved to wash his car so she got me these microfiber towels for washing and drying the car.

So I take them out and they look like over sized wash cloths, maybe 16"x16". I figure this is going to work but I start drying. Man, these things are amazing. They soak up water just like Cotton but wring out almost dry then feel dry to the touch. It only took 2 of then to get the car bone dry with no cotton lint left on the paint. I really only need the second one to do a final once over. Do your self a favor and try these things out, the one I used came from Target. A product that is truly a step up from cotton.

reaper1

You know I hand wash mine yesturday to , nice day. Do you have a name brand on those towels.

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that a lot of people on here use microfibers. I have an "absorber" that I use on the first go around for drying and then use microfibers to finish drying. I also use microfibers for detailing. I've used a couple different brands of microfibers and haven't really come across a bad microfiber.

Edit: I have a black car so using a normal towel that can lint really isn't an option.

Raptor75

I'll have to take a look at the name but they are bright orange in color and they were bought at target. I remember a side view of a wolves head in the logo.

As to the other post above I concur, I to have a black car and the lint was a real pain. No lint with the microfiber.

bruce_van

I too use an Absorber. Those things kick serious ****.

Yes, the microfiber towels are great.

TurboEight

iTrader: (1)

i hate the absorber..i used to love it....but then i didnt like it..cuz if u didnt wash the car good enough or left dust/sand behind one spot.....your paint is screwed...so i when back to MF or sythetic chamois....

Raptor2k

Watch out for the quality of microfiber towels...some generic brands do scratch.

MNShinka

What is the deal with all these articles on the web that speak to the dangers of hand washing? Personally, I have always hand washed because (1) you get to baby your car, and (2) it is really the only way to get your car looking its absolute best. Last summer, I came across the following links:

http://www.kaady.com/investment.html
http://www.marlinscarwash.com/SUB/TexasCarWashStudy.pdf

Given the fact that these are being cited from automatic carwash companies, are they in-fact an exaggerated truth? Does anyone have any accurate information on this topic!?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

dude u're slow, I've been using microfiber cloth to clean my family cars since 2004 :P

but I guess that piece of microrfiber cloth means something to you :P, u might want to buy some new ones, keep the one your daughter gave ya in a safe place. 10 yrs later take it back out, u will get that *warm and special* feeling

newcastle

iTrader: (3)

Micro fiber is the only way to go. I use a soft cloth (similar to a shammy) made from Germany (can't remember name brand) to GENTLY absorb the water then I use micro fibers to dry it.

I found the web site selling the shammy I use. It's not as soft as a micro fiber however, it's not as firm as your con ventional cotton towel eathier. Check them out.

http://www.shammysolutions.com/site/.../product/100-1

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

I tend to cycle my microfibers. First they dry the car. Then they clean interior stuff. Then they clean wheels. Then they become oil check rags.

I have a pack of the orange Target ones. I haven't opened or used any yet so I hope they are good. I think most of the ones I own are McGuires.

As for the "dangers" of handwashing, I know more people with bent antennas, ripped off side view mirrors, and flooded light housings than have damaged their cars through hand washing. I took my last car through a machine wash twice in the 4 years I owned it and bought new fog light bumps after each. I don't think the 8 will ever see the inside of a mechanical car wash. At the put in quarters, wash it yourself bays, I fill a bucket and hand wash the car anyway.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I always wanted to go to one of those *do it yourself* hand washing place, but I have yet to see one (or maybe Im blind, I dunno)

This is a bit off topic but does anybody know a good place in nyc of Do it yourself car washing place ?

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

I think I have seen maybe 1 in NJ. They aren't common around here. Whenever I go out to Ohio or SC, they are easy to find. I won't use the brush thing on the 8's paint though. It's just asking for scratches.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

microfiber towels rock!

I only use towels from www.fiber-works.com

CarAndDriver

Costco had cheap 24 packs of microfiber towels.

auzoom

I am a recent convert to MF towels after hand wash. I got sick of the streaks left by chamois. I have been using Terry Toweling cloths to get rid of the water first and then finish with a MF cloth. Might try using just MF.

Cheers

Andrew

LiveBlues

I use micro fiber towels to wash with, but since I started using the Mr. Clean Auto Dry system, I don't dry it any more. It needs a little drying in the crevices, but overall it works great.

I use the cheap large packages of towels from Costco.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

AutoDry is pretty good, just make sure you use a TON of water on the last step to get off all that soap. I've seen some pretty bad water / soap spots on Black 8's because of it.

I used the auto dry on my car twice when I first got the RX-8 but I noticed that spraying all that water at the end actually took longer then drying.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

I also have a black 8...micro fiber is the way to go...as for the lint or dust, car stores sell something like a "swifer duster" that takes lint and dust of so well...if ur car is like mine and gets dusty/linty quickly...you'd be wise to invest in this

Raptor75

Already have, my RX is also Black.

machfive

Just got my black 2007 M/T GT 9 days ago & it was getting dirty. Went to Target & they had a large selection of car cleaning products. The orange microfiber detailing cloths are by a company named VROOM. I have them as well as the mirofiber drying cloth and the chenille wash mitt. Spent 60.00 on products cause I wanna keep her clean.

There is also a product called the California duster & it is awesome. There is a small one for inside the car & a large one for the outside. It safely removes dust & does not scratch. Lasts forever too. My friend has used his every day for the past 4 years on his Camaro SS & the paint still looks great.

Happy cleaning.