Microfiber cloths, expensive isn't necessarily better. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DarthZL1 · 07-20-2014, 09:40 PM

I have been using these microfiber towels to quick detail my ZL1 (it's black, using Adam's quick detailer):

Autogeeks Microfiber Chinchilla buffing cloths
Griots Garage Speed Shine Micro Fiber Cloths
"Crappy" Autozone microfiber cloths.

I generally have been using the Autozone ones sparingly, or under the hood, or for the rims (I separate those, they become RIM ONLY rags). AND been using the Chinchilla and Griots as quick detailing rags.

I'll be the first to admit I'm really somewhat of a newb with this kind of thing... or at least in the past didn't care as much. So, maybe I was using the wrong rags, but when I would use the Chinchilla or Griots to dry after a wet wipe down with Adams, they would leave fibers behind that might as well have been glued to the car. Initially I thought that these were small very very frequent scratches in the clear coat, and I had screwed something up. I first started to notice (at least) after I had used Griot's waterless wash. So, initially I blamed it on that. NOW, I was seeing it after I do a quick detail. I determined it was fibers from the cloths. And they were a bitch to get off. And never would completely come off the trunk or hood.

Well, I just out of desperation used the Autozone microfiber cloths to dry after a quick detail (using the fancy ones for the wet wipe down) and not only did it not leave any fibers on the paint, it removed all the OLD ones that I just couldn't get up. AND after close inspection didn't leave any clear coat scratches. So... yay!!!

TL;DR: Fancy microfibers left debris that was impossible to get off. Autozone "crappy" microfibers picked all that stuff up and car looks great. Yay cheap!

CamaroDreams07 · 07-20-2014, 09:49 PM

You didn't mention any fancy or good microfiber in this whole rant.

In addition, it sounds like you didn't wash your 'fancy' ones first. Microfiber always needs to be washed first.

The scratches you were worried about from the 'fancy' ones? Don't worry, your autozone ones actually will leave those.

DarthZL1 · 07-20-2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

You didn't mention any fancy or good microfiber in this whole rant.

In addition, it sounds like you didn't wash your 'fancy' ones first. Microfiber always needs to be washed first.

Fancy in this case meant expensive.

They had been washed multiple times. Well... at least twice for both expensive ones.

CamaroDreams07 · 07-20-2014, 09:54 PM

Try these if you want actual quality microfiber. There are other good options, but these are the best.

http://www.carpro-us.com/microfiber-...-pile-16-x-16/

DarthZL1 · 07-20-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

Try these if you want actual quality microfiber. There are other good options, but these are the best.

http://www.carpro-us.com/microfiber-...-pile-16-x-16/

$$$ Ouch.

Well, I'll give 'em a shot. Right now I'm just happy I no longer have a ZL1 that looks like it's shedding!

JTruck · 07-20-2014, 10:15 PM

There's a lot more than just checking to see if a scratch was left. There are different types of microfiber for different purposes, nap lengths, GPM, etc.

By the way, 10 times out of 10, expensive typically means better.

SPARTAN sui · 07-20-2014, 10:21 PM

Just to chime in, I hear a lot of guys recommending http://www.theragcompany.com/

I just spend $40 there, going to try them out.

Six.Two SC · 07-21-2014, 07:29 AM

All MF towels lint, but some are way worse than others. A very good towel for overall use(quick detailing to polish removal) are these....

http://www.carpro-us.com/16-x-16-car...-towel-5-pack/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CamaroDreams07 · 07-21-2014, 09:59 AM

I like the Boa a lot for a low price towel.

DARK AGE 53 · 07-21-2014, 10:58 AM

Never had any problem with my CG MF towels, just a couple thought, do you wash your MF towels separate from any non MF fabric, maybe your car could use a good clay baring to remove any harsh contanmates from your paint? JMO

DarthZL1 · 07-21-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARK AGE 53

Never had any problem with my CG MF towels, just a couple thought, do you wash your MF towels separate from any non MF fabric, maybe your car could use a good clay baring to remove any harsh contanmates from your paint? JMO

All good opinions. I do wash my microfibers together, EXCEPT for the Griot and Chinchilla ones, they are washed on their own (I have a mish mash of other cheap microfibers). I did clay the car the weekend I bought it. Clayed and sealed it actually. So, hopefully that's not the issue. All good points, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six.Two SC

All MF towels lint, but some are way worse than others. A very good towel for overall use(quick detailing to polish removal) are these....

http://www.carpro-us.com/16-x-16-car...-towel-5-pack/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

I like the Boa a lot for a low price towel.

Nice... might actually give them a shot first! Then if I don't like them, I'll try the expensive ones!

CamaroJim56 · 07-21-2014, 03:45 PM

I will second the "Rag Company", reasonably priced and I have no issues with them.

Forte · 07-21-2014, 04:36 PM

The Griots Garage towels you used, were they soft blue ones?

67RS2010SS · 07-21-2014, 06:18 PM

Always find it funny spend $50,000 on a car and clean it with $2 microfiber towels?

07-20-2014, 09:40 PM	#1
DarthZL1 Drives: 2014 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 331 View My Garage	Microfiber cloths, expensive isn't necessarily better. I have been using these microfiber towels to quick detail my ZL1 (it's black, using Adam's quick detailer): Autogeeks Microfiber Chinchilla buffing cloths Griots Garage Speed Shine Micro Fiber Cloths "Crappy" Autozone microfiber cloths. I generally have been using the Autozone ones sparingly, or under the hood, or for the rims (I separate those, they become RIM ONLY rags). AND been using the Chinchilla and Griots as quick detailing rags. I'll be the first to admit I'm really somewhat of a newb with this kind of thing... or at least in the past didn't care as much. So, maybe I was using the wrong rags, but when I would use the Chinchilla or Griots to dry after a wet wipe down with Adams, they would leave fibers behind that might as well have been glued to the car. Initially I thought that these were small very very frequent scratches in the clear coat, and I had screwed something up. I first started to notice (at least) after I had used Griot's waterless wash. So, initially I blamed it on that. NOW, I was seeing it after I do a quick detail. I determined it was fibers from the cloths. And they were a bitch to get off. And never would completely come off the trunk or hood. Well, I just out of desperation used the Autozone microfiber cloths to dry after a quick detail (using the fancy ones for the wet wipe down) and not only did it not leave any fibers on the paint, it removed all the OLD ones that I just couldn't get up. AND after close inspection didn't leave any clear coat scratches. So... yay!!! TL;DR: Fancy microfibers left debris that was impossible to get off. Autozone "crappy" microfibers picked all that stuff up and car looks great. Yay cheap! __________________ --- DarthZL1 - 2014 ZL1 #2095 M6 Black. Bone Stock --- --- BigNLo - 1996 Impala SS Hot Rod Black. Lots of mods ---

07-20-2014, 09:49 PM	#2
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	You didn't mention any fancy or good microfiber in this whole rant. In addition, it sounds like you didn't wash your 'fancy' ones first. Microfiber always needs to be washed first. The scratches you were worried about from the 'fancy' ones? Don't worry, your autozone ones actually will leave those. __________________ [B]

07-20-2014, 09:54 PM	#4
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	Try these if you want actual quality microfiber. There are other good options, but these are the best. http://www.carpro-us.com/microfiber-...-pile-16-x-16/ __________________ [B]

07-20-2014, 10:15 PM	#6
JTruck Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,693	There's a lot more than just checking to see if a scratch was left. There are different types of microfiber for different purposes, nap lengths, GPM, etc. By the way, 10 times out of 10, expensive typically means better. __________________ Detailing is an involuntary obsession.

07-20-2014, 10:21 PM	#7
SPARTAN sui PC Technician Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: North Dakota Posts: 2,161	Just to chime in, I hear a lot of guys recommending http://www.theragcompany.com/ I just spend $40 there, going to try them out. __________________

07-21-2014, 07:29 AM	#8
Six.Two SC Drives: 2018 Summit White Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 352	All MF towels lint, but some are way worse than others. A very good towel for overall use(quick detailing to polish removal) are these.... http://www.carpro-us.com/16-x-16-car...-towel-5-pack/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ '18 Satin White Vinyl Wrapped 1SS, 6MT, Low Gloss Black Wheels, NPP Dual Mode Exhaust Added: Diode Dynamics Black LED Sidemarkers, GM Dark Finish Tailights, GM ZL1 Black 3rd Brake Light, Black Plastidipped Bowties(front/rear), AFE Dry Drop In Filter, 12mm Spacers(front/rear)

07-21-2014, 09:59 AM	#9
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	I like the Boa a lot for a low price towel. __________________ [B]

07-21-2014, 10:58 AM	#10
DARK AGE 53 Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mi./Al. Posts: 829	Never had any problem with my CG MF towels, just a couple thought, do you wash your MF towels separate from any non MF fabric, maybe your car could use a good clay baring to remove any harsh contanmates from your paint? JMO __________________ POW/MIA - YOU ARE LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

07-21-2014, 03:45 PM	#12
CamaroJim56 Obsessed Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS RS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,600	I will second the "Rag Company", reasonably priced and I have no issues with them. __________________ 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS

07-21-2014, 04:36 PM	#13
Forte Drives: 2011 2LT/RS CGM W/ Black Stripes Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Madera, CA Posts: 598	The Griots Garage towels you used, were they soft blue ones?

07-21-2014, 06:18 PM	#14
67RS2010SS Drives: Maroon 67 rs and CRT 2012 ZL-1 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,005 View My Garage	Always find it funny spend $50,000 on a car and clean it with $2 microfiber towels? __________________ " No matter how tough you are when a 2 year old hands you a toy phone you answer it"