Speedy Prep towel (fine grade) and the "baggie test"...read before buying!

[Klasse Act]

So I bought the Speedy Prep towel during the Christmas sale and have used it a couple times but this past weekend we had our Chicagoland Detail Day and learned something! What I learned was to do the "baggie test"! Now I should've known better but I've always blown off this test. I used the Speedy Prep towel on our donor car and could hear the grit and heard it smooth out, so I thought I was good to go, that was until Paul (2old2change) asked me if I had done the "baggie test" and said, what the heck, let's see what this is all about. To my surprises the grit was there when doing the "baggie test" but to the bare hand it was smooth, what the heck!! The next day I clayed my car, rewashed and applied a coat of AW, much better!

So here's my question, what the hell do I do with a $60.00 towel that was supposed to replace clay? Should I have gotten a medium grade? I was thinking to use the Speedy Prep towel as part of maintence now, seeing as I do rinseless washes maybe I should just do a quick wipe every wash or maybe once a week, what's your thoughts guys/gals? Feel free to have at it with this one, could save someone a lot of money as these towels aren't cheap, they are convienent but not a replacement for clay IMO!

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[jamesboyy]

$60 dollars is alot for a clay subsitute though buying a meduim grade may have been better but snice you have a fine grade I would use it every other wash wiether two buckets or rinseless method

[Klasse Act]

$60 dollars is alot for a clay subsitute though buying a meduim grade may have been better but snice you have a fine grade I would use it every other wash wiether two buckets or rinseless method

Yeah I agree James and I hope that someone looking to buy this just gets the medium grade. Maybe someone with a medium grade can chime in and let us know how it works.

Btw I paid $45.00 during the Christmas sale but even still, wish I knew what I know now, hopefully someone else benefits from my experience.

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[umana2482]

If you don't want it, I'll take it from you.

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[2old2change]

Remember that all paint surfaces are not the same. You have a range from super soft to extremely hard. That and various types of contamination require different grades of the towel , pad or clay. I envy those that only do their personal automobile. Once they dial a process in they know what their car needs unlike a business that caters to the public. Regardless of which product you use , remember it only needs to be done when the test reveals the contamination. Feel free to pm me for my mailing address. LOL.

[Klasse Act]

thanks for all the information again Paul appreciate it. I will be keeping my speedyprep tell if you use for maintenance as well as doing paint decontamination . I actually use the speedy prepped all is well as the clay bar this morning when doing my buddy Hectours Mazda 3.

I guess I would advise someone 2 maybe consider the speedyprep towel medium grade if you are going to be using it on a car that hasn't been well taken care of because in my opinion the final grade is for light contamination.

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[beamerstrumpet]

Glad I bought the fine and med sponges then!

[Klasse Act]

...and this is all because of the "baggie test" because to the human, bare hand its smooth as hell when using the fine grade, crazy!

How did the "baggie test" come to be and why does it work?

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[2old2change]

I originally learned of the " baggie test " from Mike Phillips about 2005-6 at a Meguiar's Road Show in Indianapolis . Mike may be able to supply more info. My guess to why it works is the plastic acts as a membrane so to speak that magnifies the feeling compared to the bare hand. I have discovered the thinner the bag the better it reads the surface.
.

[MadMerc]

Keep in mind, too, the state of that donor car before you throw in the towel. I wasn't surprised at the results of the baggie test. If we had the time, I would have Iron X'd it, as well.

[eaglefan]

I have been on the fence about buying one of these towels. Which one? Would it be better to buy both? Are they that much better than clay? Meaning are they worth the price for someone that works on a handful of cars a month.
As for the baggie test, would one of those regular sandwich baggies be better than a ziplock because they are thinner? Never thought about them

[MadMerc]

I have been on the fence about buying one of these towels. Which one? Would it be better to buy both? Are they that much better than clay? Meaning are they worth the price for someone that works on a handful of cars a month.
As for the baggie test, would one of those regular sandwich baggies be better than a ziplock because they are thinner? Never thought about them

Yes! Use the bags without the ziplock. :xyxthumbs:

[FUNX650]

How did the "baggie test" come to be and why does it work?

Patent filed in 1995 (now expired):
Patent US5716259 - Surface polishing method and system - Google Patents (http://www.google.com/patents/US5716259)

Baggie acts as an "amplifier".

Bob

[rickylexus250]

I have yet to use my expensive clay cloth/mat, but the hype is that it will finally replace the clay bar.

[atgonzales]

i will take your prep towel off your hands, i'm in illinois let me know