What MF towels to use for different tasks.

[newb001]

Hi all. Just wondering if it's 'ok' to use one type of towel for 'everything' (aside from drying, where I use a good Waffle Weave Drying Towel that I really like).

When I say 'everything', I mean: QDing, spray waxes, and buffing of AIOs/polishes/sealants/waxes, etc...?

OR is it better to use a thicker 'super plush' towel for Spray Waxes and QDing (as it will absorb more of the liquid), and then a thinner/lighter one for buffing off polish/sealant/wax, etc...?

I will of course be using different actual towels for different tasks, but would love to be able to use the same type of towel for the different tasks (basically I'd like to buy one kind of towel in bulk, rather than 10 for this task, 10 for that task, etc..., unless it's a much better idea to use different types of towels).

I did take a look at the Cobra Microfiber Towels Comparison Chart (http://www.autogeek.net/mfchart.html) but it confused me even more :( And I was further confused when I read Mike's Final Wipe (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/19956-final-wipe.html) post, in that it says you should use your best MF 'polishing' cloth, but then it links to the Cobra Super-Plush Deluxe Microfiber Towel (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-microfiber-towel.html) which, according to the chart, is best for "application of spray waxes & quick detailers, buffing". Wouldn't it be better to use a lighter towel such as the Miracle Towel which is meant for "wax & polish removal, buffing"? Or since they can both handle 'buffing' it's ok to use either?

This leads me to a final, and possibly dumb question, but what is the difference (in the 'Recommended Use' column) between "cleaning/polishing", "wax and polish removal" and "buffing"? To me (total novice here), these all mean the same, in that the task is the 'removal' or 'buffing off' of a product (wax, polish or sealant).

Oy, so confused...

Thanks for any help and clarification!

[Shane731]

I just spotted a thread pertaining to this on the Poorboy's World forum:

poorboysworld.net • View topic - How to pick the right Microfiber for the job by Budman3 (http://www.poorboysworld.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=679)

[newb001]

Thanks, I'll take a look!

[Mike Phillips]

Of course theirs the system I often use and that's the, "Whichever clean microfiber is closest to my hand at the time" system.

Truthfully, while a case can be made for different types of naps and weaves for specific products or procedures, before microfiber, terry cloth was the towel of choice and got us through the first 90+ years of automotive history if you start with the introduction of the Model T in 1908.

The introduction of microfiber to the auto detailing industry enables use to be more gentle to scratch-sensitive coatings like automotive clear coats and from the big picture point of view, for the most part, any microfiber polishing towel is going to be more gentle to apply or remove paint care products than the common terry cloth towel.

That's not to say there are not some really good, soft and gentle terry cloth towels on the market because there are but most any good to premium quality microfiber is going to be more gentle to a clear coat finish than a common terry cloth towel.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

If you notice in any of my articles or videos I predominantly use the Cobra Indigo Microfiber Towel and that's because it pretty much works great for anything especially when used correctly.

How to correctly fold and use a Microfiber Towel (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/29230-how-correctly-fold-use-microfiber-towel.html)


:)

[TornadoRed]

The final wipe is to remove the last little bit of polish or wax so it would make sense to use a plush MF for that task.
BTW the super plush MF is awesome. Does AG carry it in queen size?

[newb001]

If you notice in any of my articles or videos I predominantly use the Cobra Indigo Microfiber Towel and that's because it pretty much works great for anything especially when used correctly.

How to correctly fold and use a Microfiber Towel (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/29230-how-correctly-fold-use-microfiber-towel.html)


:)

Great, thanks!!

[FASTFRED]

I just spotted a thread pertaining to this on the Poorboy's World forum:

poorboysworld.net • View topic - How to pick the right Microfiber for the job by Budman3 (http://www.poorboysworld.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=679)
Good article,
Thanks for posting that. :xyxthumbs:

[Ztandem]

After reading Mike's article on the Final Wipe, I decided against getting bonnets and got a couple of the Artic White edgeless polishing cloths instead. Removing wax has never been easier. 2 or 3 swipes and it was gone. The effort to move the cloth was so effortless, it was as though I was wiping a clean dry surface. I've been using MF for about 5 years and never removed wax so quickly and easily!