Topic: Quick-detailers - do these things really work?

[rrocket]

I just use a really mild detergent - my wife tends to buy the super-gentle no perfume, no dye etc. baby stuff - twice through the rinse cycle and dry with no fabric softener.  I do this with both my terry cloth and MF car towels.  My wife is already fed up with all the car washing and waxing I've been doing (and my neighbours are openly laughing at me    ).  I don't want to deal with the reaction if she sees a dedicated car-towel detergent on the laundry shelf.    The MF detergent would definitely inspire a WTF question or three.

Jaeger

FWIW, my MF detergent container looks just like a regular laundry detergent bottle...so there won't be THAT much "WTF-ing" going on....

[KGCCS]

Realistically though microfibers only last so long before they become worn out and lose their plushness, etc. That being said, you should be find to use regular laundry detergent so long as you do not add bleach or fabric softener sheets when drying them.

Once microfiber cloths become completely worn out they do make for good shop rags when working on your vehicle and what not

[Weexy]

Tried out these three products tonight.  Bought them just before the posties went on strike:



All worked extremely well. 

Washed the car with the Optimum No Rinse.  It works as advertised - 1/2 oz in a bucket of water - soak your MF towel, apply and wipe dry. 
Next was the Optimum Car Wax - this stuff is amazing - spray it on, wipe and then a quick buff with my Cookie Monster MF'ers (another very good product).  Admitedly, I don't have much experience with this stuff, but if it was any easier it would apply itself. 
Heckuva shine too - as you can see my ugly mug reflecting off the door... slick too - the bottles in the pic above wanted to slide off the roof.


 

Says it will last up to 5 months - I have some serious doubts about that, but we'll see. It took me 20 minutes to do the whole car, so if it lasts less than 5 months, no biggie to me.

The interior cleaner is good stuff too - seems to have some anti-static properties to it since it did a great job picking up all the dust.  Leaves no residue, just a clean surface.

[CanuckG35]

^ Nice!!! 

I absolutely LOVE OCW, however it will definitely NOT last anything remotely close to the 5 month claim.  After about 4 weeks, expect to re-apply it again.  The good thing is that it looks fantastic and only takes minutes to apply to your vehicle.   

[5 Wheel Drive]

This thread reminded me that I had an almost brand new bottle of Meguire's quick detail in the back of my cabinet in the garage.  I bought it a couple of years ago, never got around to trying it.  I was giving the Forester a wash on Saturday and thought I'd give it a try.  It's replacement for a gooh hand polish, but it did give it some extra shine.

Dammit...more of Canuck's S2000 pics in there too....

[mrthompson]

Lookin' good.

[Arctic_White]

Looking at the eShine site raised a question for me - How to clean a microfibre towel?  I used to just put them in the wash...but not sure that would work.

For increased life out of your MF towels, use a dedicated MF detergent.  I use Chemicals Guys, but there are numerous ones on the market.  Wash them alone with no other items and be sure not to use any fabric softener. 

What are the pitfalls of using regular cloth/cloth as opposed to MF towels?

[CanuckG35]

Looking at the eShine site raised a question for me - How to clean a microfibre towel?  I used to just put them in the wash...but not sure that would work.

For increased life out of your MF towels, use a dedicated MF detergent.  I use Chemicals Guys, but there are numerous ones on the market.  Wash them alone with no other items and be sure not to use any fabric softener. 

What are the pitfalls of using regular cloth/cloth as opposed to MF towels?

Regular cloth towels will scratch your paint.  Even the best 100% cotton towels (made in the USA) can/will scratch your paint.  If you absolutely MUST use a cotton towel, make sure you use a 100% cotton towel made in the USA and not somewhere in Asia or other places.  Another thing you have to be careful about when using regular cloths or cotton towels are the stitched borders.  They will easily scratch your paint.

In all honesty, your best best is to simply invest in good quality MF towels.   

[safristi]

Funny how "helmet polishing"....MF'ing.....and short shorts/skirts coincide with maximum  Mr"T" levels..........Test   O' Sterone...................MID SOMMER MADNESS.....

[Arctic_White]

Looking at the eShine site raised a question for me - How to clean a microfibre towel?  I used to just put them in the wash...but not sure that would work.

For increased life out of your MF towels, use a dedicated MF detergent.  I use Chemicals Guys, but there are numerous ones on the market.  Wash them alone with no other items and be sure not to use any fabric softener. 

What are the pitfalls of using regular cloth/cloth as opposed to MF towels?

Regular cloth towels will scratch your paint.  Even the best 100% cotton towels (made in the USA) can/will scratch your paint.  If you absolutely MUST use a cotton towel, make sure you use a 100% cotton towel made in the USA and not somewhere in Asia or other places.  Another thing you have to be careful about when using regular cloths or cotton towels are the stitched borders.  They will easily scratch your paint.

In all honesty, your best best is to simply invest in good quality MF towels.  

I will definitely purchase some high-end MF towels!  Thank you for your help. 

[CanuckG35]

Looking at the eShine site raised a question for me - How to clean a microfibre towel?  I used to just put them in the wash...but not sure that would work.

For increased life out of your MF towels, use a dedicated MF detergent.  I use Chemicals Guys, but there are numerous ones on the market.  Wash them alone with no other items and be sure not to use any fabric softener. 

What are the pitfalls of using regular cloth/cloth as opposed to MF towels?

Regular cloth towels will scratch your paint.  Even the best 100% cotton towels (made in the USA) can/will scratch your paint.  If you absolutely MUST use a cotton towel, make sure you use a 100% cotton towel made in the USA and not somewhere in Asia or other places.  Another thing you have to be careful about when using regular cloths or cotton towels are the stitched borders.  They will easily scratch your paint.

In all honesty, your best best is to simply invest in good quality MF towels.  

I will definitely purchase some high-end MF towels!  Thank you for your help. 

You're very welcome. 

These are the ones that I use pretty much exclusively.  VERY plush and soft.
http://www.eshine.ca/the_cookie_monster_buffing_towel_v20-453.php

But there is also a buy one get one free sale now on these.  Not as plush as the one above but still very capable.
http://www.eshine.ca/the_el_cheapo_microfiber_buffing_towel_buy_one_get_one_free-452.php