ZooM-ZooM'04

I have noticed a few threads that are endoursing the Colorful MicroFiber towels, and I have a problem with them; not the threads but the towels. In one of the threads I read that they work great with Zaino's Kit, (the absolute best polishing kit ever produced), but Zaino's offical website does not recommend the use of the MicroFiber towel with their product. They recommend only 100% Cotton towels. This is a quote from their website "ALWAYS use only 100% Cotton towels. They must be Made in USA. Brand name (Cannon or Fieldcrest) large white bath size towels." The reason for this as they explain is that high quality Cotton towels have a deep nap that traps dirt and particles away from surface that scratch and swirl your car's finish. The reason they recommend these brands is because they are high quality, made in the USA, 1OO% Cotton. As they mention on their website alot of towels claim to be 100% Cotton but if you look closer only the nap is a 100% and the rest is a poly blend that can really harm a car's finish. They also recommend cutting off the ends because the thread used to finish any towel is a poly blend. One more thing to remeber is that you should only use white 100% cotton towels because the dyes from colored towels will lock onto your finish and could eventually cause discoloration.

I am just a fellow concerned RX-8 owner/lover who made the mistake of using a MicroFiber towel. I noticed after the fact in dim and bright light that I had numerous sratches that weren't there before I washed it. I went to my Bed, Bath, and Beyond retail store and spent my $45 on 4 high quality Cannon 100% white cotton towels and haven't looked back yet. Oh and I found a great use for those MicroFiber towels. They work great to clean my wash bucket and other wash equipment after I am done pampering my baby!! LOL

I hope that you will got to zainostore.com and read all the other recommendations for care of your towels and proper use of their product. Just think if you are using their product now and are satisfied with it, how much better it will work for you if you follow all of their recommendations.

I would love to see your comments on the MicroFiber towels and the Zaino products. Remember, Protect your car! It is to fine not to!!

Peace,
>ZooM<

ZooM-ZooM'04

Sorry I messed up the poll. I have never done one before and wasn't sure what I was doing. Oh well, there is always next time.

thanx,
>zoom<

RXhusker

Microfiber -- inside cleaning

100% cotton -- outside cleaning

Go to linens & things or similar store and buy the misfits of the top brands (like cannon mentioned above). I bought 4 ex large bath towels and 4 hand towels for $4.00 each last summer. Cut off the outer edge -- just like Zaino recommends. Use the small size for washing and large for drying. Use both with the Zaino for different sized areas.

Microfiber works well for cleaning the inside (dash area, seats, etc.)

WHealy

For me :

Exterior Cleaning : cotton mitt
Interior Cleaning : cotton towel

Exterior Drying : microfiber towel
Interior Drying : air dry

Interior "Dusting" (getting rid of small specs of dust that only show in the sun after interior cleaning) : Pledge Grab-it towels

Arcane

anything wrong with using a sponge to wash the car? sorry, i'm new to this whole "show" stuff..

GoT 1 - 2

Microfiber inside-(green)
Microfiber outside- (blue)

Sponge just pushes the dirt around and could cause scratches,swirls, etc. Microfiber "lifts" the dirt off of the surface.
You have to change towels often, I use about 6 on the outside,
but, the results are worth it.

Zainoing the car is my new hobby!:D

Just my 2 cents.

Astor

Microfiber for inside, Cotton Mitt for wash, Microfibre Dry, Foam applicator for Wax, (Meguires Gold looks good especially for the price, some professional did a comparison test between that and Zaino, my friend mentioned this after I mentioned Zaino, said it looked just as good, which both cars looked great.), then Microfibre to wipe off. They tend to hold less static and never have I noticed one single scratch, this car or last.

I also bought some foam applicators to put on the leather conditioner, then wipe excess with microfiber.

KC_Prelude

The problem I have had with the 100% cotton is that they shed and the car gets white threads and fuzz all over it. Microfiber does not shed at all and it feels softer.

6speed8

I used to use 100% cotton, but shortyly after I got the RX-8 I switched to Microfiber - I have used the yellow ones from Costco (which are okay) , but mainly use the ones from Classic Motoring Accessories:

http://www.properautocare.com

They have some GREAT microfiber stuff. I also bought the Big Blue drying towel which alot of people rave about, but I don't think it dries as well as 'the absorber', however you can get 95% of the water off the RX-8 without wringing it out - but the water adds weight to the towel - it gets heavy.

Anyway, Microfiber - GOOD microfiber is the way to go!

6speed8

I took this picture as I was leaving work the other day - please note: the car has a fine dusting of that green pollen dust on it as it had been sitting in the parking lot all day. Also there was a tree (you can see reflected in the hood) that I photoshopped out.

baze

How about drying with those chamois thingys? They are sheepskin or something... They sure suck up the water, but are there any issues with them?

I'm looking to try out "Sheraton" or "Mariott" brand cotton towels but I'm afraid they might not be 100% cotton.

IKnowNot'ing

That's nothing. Some did actually vote!!

XcelR8

I use a micro fiber chamios and finish it off with a micro fiber drying towel. I use micro fiber for the Speed Shine and removing the Best of Show Wax. I use only Griot's Garage product on the 8 (for the most part.) I don't like their 100% cotton polish cloths. I think high quality towels, as mentioned above, work better.

XeRo

use 100% cotton TERRY cloth towels not just regular towels...

DO NOT wash them with detergent...or what i call "flavored" detergent...I use Drift...when my wife washes our daughters towels I throw in the "drying" towels every so often...