Best car wash equipment?

They are both for polishing (aka, wax removal). Some people are cotton purists, others microfiber. They both work very well if used well.

 

I'm sure it's a good kit. Mothers is mainstream like Meguiar's.

If you try it, I recommend using the spray in the kit. Some claim dawn soap solution is good lubricant for claying .... I didn't find that. Like Mac said, Meguiar's has a good video or two on claying.

 

Good tip.

I might pick up some Optimum No Rinse that I read about upthread, since that lasts a long time and also can be used as a clay lubricant.

What's your opinion on No Rinse?

 

Haven't used it. I can bucket wash. Heard only good things about it.

 

It *was* great, but it was discontinued more than a year ago. You can still find online an ever-dwindling supply of leftovers at ever-increasing prices.

I now use a bucket, a cotton mitt for the body, a synthetic mitt for the wheels, and whatever soap is on sale. Water spots are inconspicuous on a silver car.

 

Thats really not the case. What you don't want are polyester towels...polyester is found in cheaper MFs and can cause marring. You want cotton microfiber towels which cost more.

For whatever reason I have never had any luck using Windex on automotive windows. I use Stoner's Invisible Glass in the spray bottle, the aerosol gets everywhere IMHO.

 

I am carefully rationing my remaining supplies. I was really sorry to see this go.

Tom

 

On the subject of rinsing... Here's a post I made about a year and a half ago about cutting the drying time to practically nothing. I still use this technique and I'm still amazed at how it works...

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...g/67405-keeping-prius-shiny-7.html#post952569

 

You are correct in that by its very nature a microfiber towel is a synthetic fiber (polyester).

Cotton microfibers (micro-cotton as you said) are rare but getting less so...they certainly are a premium towel to polyester blended towels. They're also a fairly new introduction to the detailing world. IMHO these towels are going to become bigger and bigger factors in the future.

Look at what you're saying...as you get higher in polyester composition the towels get harsher (or cheaper). So...better and softer towels have less polyester.

Believe me, I have used dozens of different manufacturer's microfiber towels. All microfiber towels are NOT created equal, and just because something is "microfiber" doesn't mean that it cannot scratch the paint...it most certainly can. Higher quality towels have better composition, better edging, no tags. The fibers release dirt particles better...and they last longer and hold up better to washings.

Read this article:

This author doesn't feel theres a quality difference between towels with more polyester or less polyester, but he certainly feels not all towels are created equal, and explains why:

Microfiber Towels — What You Should Know About Them | Auto Laundry News

Another good article:

Microfiber - What's the big deal?

 

It is true that low flow rinse without nozzle gets much of the water off the car by sheeting action, but I won't try to tell anyone 'dry your car with water'. The car is still wet after that process.

Sometime I might really try to blow dry the car completely dry with leaf blower but what I don't like about that is the possibility of blowing water into places it otherwise wouldn't be with so much forced air.

fyi about drying or any usage of cloth on paint - if there's much friction when drying, stop immediately. Friction is not good. If you can't get car completely dry with dry towel, no problem...

set it down when most of the water is up, mist polishing cloth with Quik Wax, finish the area. A cloth misted with Quik Wax and some on paint when able will glide over the paint like on air. That's what you want to feel when finishing a car. No friction.

 

One more thing since I keep harping about this finishing with polishing cloth and Quik Wax or equivalent ....

it makes your car look much better when done - shines more. Much like you've just waxed it (no, I don't work for a care products co.).

With drying towel, I've often had problems with tiny water spots, weird stuff like the drying towel just does not completely dry and 'finish' the car, sometimes kind of smears the water and leaves streaks.

Drying towel is not what I used to really buff out the car.

 

Cycledrum's method is also how I dry. I use Eagle One's Wax as U Dry, I blow the car off with the leaf blower first, paying extra attention to the jambs, mirrors, places where water will drip out of as the car sits, then I use the WAUD along with a waffle weave MF towel to do the rest. Looks great, and gives the paint that little pop in between waxings.

 

A leaf blower isn't THAT powerful, especially an electric one. Water is driven at the car at much greater strength with a hose or when driving down the road at 70MPH in the rain, and certainly in a carwash.

 

It's interesting you say that the blower isn't that powerful. One of my requirements sourcing a new yard blower was electric, high speed and high volume. The Toro I bought delivers 200MPH. I don't know if it's really true, but I do know I don't have much water left on the Prius. I bought this blower because I'm tired of using gas/oil blowers around the yard only to find they won't start after a couple years! The cords are pain the arse, but it's worth it.

 

It depends on the blower...I'm sure my blower's not rated that fast...

I still wouldn't be worried about using that though.

 

Meg's X2000 Water Magnet Drying Towel $11.99 vs The Absorber Synthethic Chamois $9.99

Your opinions please

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