Cotton vs. microfiber

**LazerRed1** · 01-09-2012, 04:09 PM

I'm old enough to remember when nothing was supposedly better for car care than a 100% soft cotton cloth. Is microfiber better or just more available?

**shoeless89** · 01-09-2012, 04:29 PM

I think MF's are better. I dont the science of it or anything but I think the nap of the MF allows dirt to sink into it instead of getting ground into the paint. And I think the fibers are actually smaller then cotton fibers so there is less pressure on each individual fiber making it safer. This is all just my guess-timation. Maybe someone else can provide a more definitive answer.

**szjalo** · 01-09-2012, 05:15 PM

I use cotton or terry cloth on all interior work and MF on smooth surface like paint. Personally I believe good cotton towels are better in buffing off

**Flash Gordon** · 01-09-2012, 05:17 PM

Cotton is superior to Microfiber IMO

**Setec Astronomy** · 01-09-2012, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by LazerRed1

I'm old enough to remember when nothing was supposedly better for car care than a 100% soft cotton cloth. Is microfiber better or just more available?

Back when "nothing was supposedly better" was before there was microfiber. Microfiber is better for a lot of tasks, but there are still some good ones for cotton.

**Pockets@PoorboysWorld** · 01-09-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by szjalo

I use cotton or terry cloth on all interior work and MF on smooth surface like paint. Personally I believe good cotton towels are better in buffing off

Yup I use cotton for everything inside as well (except windows). Microfiber absorbs too much dressing or conditioner up and off what you are trying to dress or condition lol

Also use cotton for buffing of TR on the trim outside

**Flash Gordon** · 01-09-2012, 07:05 PM

I'm just the opposite (imagine that) I use Microfibers exclusivly for interiors and Cotton for exteriors. I like Microfibers on interiors because they don't tend to snag like Cotton can

If Microfiber was better then Cotton, Brooks Brothers would be making their shirts out of it

Cotton is King...

**SRTSean** · 01-09-2012, 07:20 PM

Umm, do you use your cotton shirts on your car's exterior?

I have always found that cotton, no matter how nice, seems to break down/firm up after a few wash cycles. Also not a fan of how it always snags on trim pieces. I'll stick with the microfibers that all the top pros seem to use and recommend.

**Flash Gordon** · 01-09-2012, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by SRTSean

Umm, do you use your cotton shirts on your car's exterior?

I have always found that cotton, no matter how nice, seems to break down/firm up after a few wash cycles. Also not a fan of how it always snags on trim pieces. I'll stick with the microfibers that all the top pros seem to use and recommend.

Yes! I use my old Brooks Brothers shirts!

Ppl who use Microfibers exclusivly have been drinking the juice IMO

**rockinrandall** · 01-09-2012, 07:45 PM

Pretty safe to say...this argument falls under Ford or Chevy: who do you love?
Some guys grew up using cotton. Remember cloth diapers?? Some guys have only been around microfiber. It's a change and we all love change... My Pops first saw MF and laughed at me. He is a full convert now.
Me personally, I like the feel MF gives during a wipedown. Glass, dash, paint- it's all good with an MF 'rag'