Chamois, terry cloth or microfiber?

[TodFitch]

My old chamois that I use to dry the car after washing is in need of replacement. And I did something unusual: I read the instructions on the car wash detergent I have. I found that they mention using chamois, terry cloth or microfiber cloth to dry the car. So I used some terry cloth towels and they worked as well or better than the chamois.

What do you use?

[Young Ed]

My option isn't listed. I use old bath towels.

[Edward Roberts]

My option isn't listed. I use old bath towels.

I'm with Young Ed... old underwear, dish towels, old gym shorts (which are likely terry cloth-ish).

It ain't easy being cheap... but it sure is cheap.

[1940plymouth]

ditto with both Eds

[Merle Coggins]

It ain't easy being cheap... but it sure is cheap.

I like that.

Old bath towels would fall under the terry cloth segment.

I use "The Absorber", a synthetic chamois. They're great because they can be stored damp, in fact they recommend it, and they absorbe water quite well. When you're done with it, ring it out, roll it up, and shove it back in the tube. When they get too dirty just throw it in the wash and put it back in the tube. I keep one in my bike and one with my car wash stuff.

Plus they're available in many colors.

[aero3113]

I like that.

Old bath towels would fall under the terry cloth segment.

I use "The Absorber", a synthetic chamois. They're great because they can be stored damp, in fact they recommend it, and they absorbe water quite well. When you're done with it, ring it out, roll it up, and shove it back in the tube. When they get too dirty just throw it in the wash and put it back in the tube. I keep one in my bike and one with my car wash stuff.

Plus they're available in many colors.

I use the same

[Young Ed]

Merle I do use one of those and the finish with the old bath towels.

[RobertKB]

I use old soft fluffy cotton bath towels. They are still absorbent and very soft for the paint. I usually use just one towel to dry the whole car and there is no wringing out like a chamois. Learned the trick from my son when he was about 17. That was 15 years ago and I have never bought a chamois since.

[desoto1939]

Gentleman and fellow antique car owners,

I attend the AACA convention in Philadelphia and they ahd a prfessional detailer do a lecture on cleaning your car. Here are some of the pionts from the lecture.

Do not Do not use any type of cloth that has polyester fibers in them. They will scratch the paint.

The all use a microfiber wash mit to wash the car.

Use a 5 gal buicket and in the bottom of the bucket you should have a plastic inset that looks like an egg crate. This prevents th wash mit from sitting on the bottom of the bucket were all of the dirt sits. If you do not have the insert then the dirst and fine grit is picked up with the mit and then you a wiping the car witht he grit and scratching the paint.

Do only use a car wash solution like blue correl McQuires DO NOT use everyday dish soap becasue this has a grease cutter and will remove all of you wax that you did prior to washing the car.

They recommend using a california squeegee to remove all of the water 0on the car. You can get these at Wall Mart for around &15. They will not hurt the paint. They remove about 98% of the water and then dry with a Microfiber drying cloth.

Also on the microfiber cloths removed the tag that lists the materials. These can also scratch the paint.

Doing windowas also use a micrfiber cloth. The recommend this procedure.

On the outside window wipe the windows in a motion that goes length wise.

On the inside go up and down. The secret is that if you have a screak and it is goeing left to right then you know its onthe outside or if the streak is goin up and down then the sreak is on the inside.

USe the microfiber cloth to polish the car and you will not get residue build up inthe cloth.

I have been using these same steps on my 39 Desoto for the past 10 years and I do not have any swirl marks inthe paint. I also do this on my regular cars.

I also claybar every car every year.

Hope this all helps with the topic.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Flatie46]

Wash it, drive it around the block. Then use a synthetic chamois like the absorber. The short drive rolls all the water outta the mirrors and crevaces so it doesn't run out when your tryn to wax it. Also wash from top to bottom. The bottom is usually dirtier than the top and if you do pick something up in the mit from down low you wont drag it all over the most noticeable places. I like to rinse the mit each time before returning it to the buckit and I dump the buckit if it looks dirty. All that said my car will be a satin flat black. I detailed cars for seven years a dealership. I can highspeed buff with the best of them but I'm over it. After you've washed waxed detailed as many as I have you come to realize that if you wash it, it will just get dirty again.

[Don Coatney]

In the old days for years and years I bought a new sheepskin annually and used it to remove the water from my car after washing and rinsing. Worked well but a lot of labor involved.

I have not used a chamois for several years. On my modern daily drivers that sit outside all the time I run them through a "car wash" as required and do no more. On my P-15 (has hard enamel paint that does not show much dirt with the baby blue color) I use an old bath towell to dry it off. Because my paint has a very hard skin it does not show scratches. So when I wash my P-15 I no longer use any soap. Water only and I use a soft brush to remove caked on dirt. Then I use a terry cloth towell to remove the water and the rest of the dirt. Results pictured below.

[maurice wade]

Blow Dry!

[Dodgeb4ya]

Lotsa cotton balls.

[BobT-47P15]

I've washed mine once in the last 15 years or so.

And it leaked...........so............I just wipe it off with a towel to

remove major dust, then wax it.

Seems to work ok on my acrylic enamel with hardner.

That, therefore, eliminates the chamois.

If it's really extra dirty in a particular area, I might wash it, just not all over.

Edited May 7, 2010 by BobT-47P15

[Captain Neon]

I've done a dry clean with microfiber cloths and Meguiar's Kwik-Detailer before. That might work a little better than just wiping with a dry towel or CA car duster. A step before applying wax.

[jd52cranbrook]

I use a water blade first, then damp towels, then wax.

[Rollie���]

Lotsa cotton balls.

what size?

HA!

[Rollie���]

I like that.

Old bath towels would fall under the terry cloth segment.

I use "The Absorber", a synthetic chamois. They're great because they can be stored damp, in fact they recommend it, and they absorbe water quite well. When you're done with it, ring it out, roll it up, and shove it back in the tube. When they get too dirty just throw it in the wash and put it back in the tube. I keep one in my bike and one with my car wash stuff.

Plus they're available in many colors.

+3, have a blue and purple one.

[Plymouthy Adams]

actually if you wish something absorbent and is closer to lint free than the terry cloth..prewash some Bird's Eye clothc diapers..they do an excellent job on car finishes..however I probably use the terry cloth more than anything else..my chamois is so old and scraggly looking I am not sure whay I still have it hanging around..I have some of the mircrofiber Bill Mays stuff at the house, wife bought them..but I confess I have never used them...

[Dodgeb4ya]

what size?

Brer Rabbits "Extra Large" cotton balls.

Bob

[55 Fargo]

Gentleman and fellow antique car owners,

I attend the AACA convention in Philadelphia and they ahd a prfessional detailer do a lecture on cleaning your car. Here are some of the pionts from the lecture.

Do not Do not use any type of cloth that has polyester fibers in them. They will scratch the paint.

The all use a microfiber wash mit to wash the car.

Use a 5 gal buicket and in the bottom of the bucket you should have a plastic inset that looks like an egg crate. This prevents th wash mit from sitting on the bottom of the bucket were all of the dirt sits. If you do not have the insert then the dirst and fine grit is picked up with the mit and then you a wiping the car witht he grit and scratching the paint.

Do only use a car wash solution like blue correl McQuires DO NOT use everyday dish soap becasue this has a grease cutter and will remove all of you wax that you did prior to washing the car.

They recommend using a california squeegee to remove all of the water 0on the car. You can get these at Wall Mart for around &15. They will not hurt the paint. They remove about 98% of the water and then dry with a Microfiber drying cloth.

Also on the microfiber cloths removed the tag that lists the materials. These can also scratch the paint.

Doing windowas also use a micrfiber cloth. The recommend this procedure.

On the outside window wipe the windows in a motion that goes length wise.

On the inside go up and down. The secret is that if you have a screak and it is goeing left to right then you know its onthe outside or if the streak is goin up and down then the sreak is on the inside.

USe the microfiber cloth to polish the car and you will not get residue build up inthe cloth.

I have been using these same steps on my 39 Desoto for the past 10 years and I do not have any swirl marks inthe paint. I also do this on my regular cars.

I also claybar every car every year.

Hope this all helps with the topic.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Very imfomative Rich, especially like the paritition for the bottom of the pail, so dirt will sit under it.

I use old bath towels the fluffier the better. I have tried chamois, microfibre, and do not like them.

For the majority of us, the AACA advice will not be heed, as most of are wash and wear type Guys, not more formal concourse de elegance types. Not to say you should not look after the paint jobs, that is for sure.

My gravel road is 2 .5 miles to the pavement, so you know what is landing for dust on jmy car, just ask Pat S from Calgary, he rode in my car yesterday.

So I sponge bath my car, and keep her feet clean after every ride. I will not be using such a detailed plan of clean up as the AACA recommends.

One note, I still get the best clean on my windows by using white vinegar and water, and with old newspapers, streakless and clean.........Fred

[Don Coatney]

One note, I still get the best clean on my windows by using white vinegar and water, and with old newspapers, streakless and clean.........Fred

Great advice except, I had some 100 year old newspapers, tried this, and the old newspaper just crumbled. So I tried some new newspaper and it worked great. Not much worth reading in new news papers so this is the best thing to do with them.

[55 Fargo]

Great advice except, I had some 100 year old newspapers, tried this, and the old newspaper just crumbled. So I tried some new newspaper and it worked great. Not much worth reading in new news papers so this is the best thing to do with them.

Back when our cars were new:), there was another use for them in " hard times", you know in those little buildings with the moon cut-out in the door:D.

Charmin works better in this case:eek:...............LOL

[Don Coatney]

Back when our cars were new:), there was another use for them in " hard times", you know in those little buildings with the moon cut-out in the door:D.

Charmin works better in this case:eek:...............LOL

You got a problem with macho wipe? I would think the prisons would have a lifetime supply of Sears & Roebuck catalogues....

[Reg Evans]

what size?

Brer Rabbits "Extra Large" cotton balls.

Bob

Don't press hard. Might leave tooth marks !!!!