Detail with Costco MicroFiber Towels?

I use them all the time. I've never had a problem with them.

 

I get mine at Dollar General because I'm Scrooge McDuck when it comes to certain things. I think I got a 6 pack for $1.00. They are about 12x12 in size.

Just be sure to remove the tags -- they're scratchy, but the microfibre is perfect. They actually last a pretty long time (several months at least)

 

I use the ones from Costco all the time, on several different cars, including the old Jag XKE's. They are really great, hold up well, and most importantly, don't scratch! Go for it.

 

Just to add... i love them and they are so low-cost after a use of wax removal they then get demoted to engine clean up... and then the garbage. i never wash them, they are so low-cost why bother messing up my washing machine?

 

I've also used the Costco MF towels, they are actually pretty decent. I have more expensive MF towels as well and I think the most important thing is HOW you dry the car. You can scratch the paint and leave swirls if there is something between what you use to clean the car (MF towel) and the surface of the paint. Just make sure everything is really clean and that no little specs get stuck on the towel. I've also been using "The Absorber" for over a year and it hasn't caused a swirl mark or scratch since.

 

I've used them and they are excellent.

 

I also use them and love them. They are all over my house too; I use them to dry dishes, and when they are too dirty to do that anymore they get put on kitchen and bathroom cleaning duty. They have a million uses, not just car detailing.


Mark

 

I use them all the time. I DO wash them, but after they are washed (dried) they don't abosrb as well. At that point, I use them for dirty work. They are FANTASTIC and cheap for auto work.

 

The mf towels for the top and sides get used again, but the ones I use to dry the "underside paint' typically end up being used for engine, rims etc. later on. The price is right for the Costco towels so I don't hesitate to throw them out if they are too dirty. The key is not to press too hard when drying.

 

I'm surprised so many people avoid washing MF towels!

I use lots of Costco MF towels to dry my cars and then immediately wash them with a little detergent (and with no other garments/towels/etc in the load) using the washer's quick cycle. Haven't observed much degradation.

But I read somewhere that one thing to avoid when washing/drying MF towels is fabric softener...

 

Correct - No softener.
Usually the higher thread count towels are make in Korea, but I use the cheap China towels and can't tell the difference.

Everyone should have one of theses in their garage: http://www.dftowel.com/
It's my favorite M/F for final wipe down and is so soft you can dust the car without a quick detail spray. The more you wash them, the softer/better they get.

 

^^^

Thanks for the testimonial, I just ordered one!

Gary

 

I use them fresh out of the package for the windows and interior only; after they go through that cycle once they are used for body work, wheels exhaust wells etc. I wash on hot with max rinse and max extract then for good measure I repeat the step again minus the detergent. I find it helps eliminate any detergent residue

 

Try adding about a cup of vinegar into your rinse cycle when washing your MF towels. It helps to remove any reside left on the towels, especially from towels used for wax/sealant removal.

 

I bought some microfibers from a detail supply truck, where I get my wax from. And then I bought some at Walmart. Same microfiber quality. The rag I bought from the detail supply just has thicker tuffts.

I've experimented with my own car on cleaning the rags. I've seperated my rags on two criteria: Wax and Windows.

When I wash the wax rags I use liquid Tide and hang dry them. When I reuse them on the car surface they're just as good as they were new.

Detail spray and microfiber rags fall into the wax rag catagory as well.

Microfibers on the windows are best out of the bag. To reuse them on the windows again I wash them in a bucket of dishwash soap. What other soap strips things clean of grease and dirt! I rinse them thoroughly and hang dry them too. With a detailers grade window cleaner(not Windex!) they seem to do the trick without leaving smears and additional haze. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to the windows and haze bugs me!

The clean vinyl records great. Still have to use a solution of some sort. I use some tape head cleaner laying around the house.

 

NEVER use fabric 'softener' on ANY garment... ever! In other words, NEVER use the stuff. it is a waxy-type substance and actually HINDERS and CLOGS fabrics. This information comes from my father who has been in the fabric industry for over 50 years and as an independent consultant has worked for the likes of Ralph Lipschitz (aka Lauren), Izod, MANY Italian firms i am not at libety to disclose, etc etc etc

 

I've used them and it seems to work fine.

 

Steven is right, never use fabric softeners whether liquid or dryer sheets. They deposit silicone on the yarn which hinders absorbtion and the ability to remove or buff waxes and polishes. Softeners don't really soften, they just make the fabric feel slick.

Steven, who's your Dad? I've been in the textile business (mostly silk) all my life, perhaps I know him or he knew my Dad?

Leo
former 250 GTE owner

 

I use the Costco Microfiber Towels on the windows & dash on my cars. They work great! However, they remove wax if you use it on the body, thats the only part of the car I don't use it on.

I have the The Absorber I use on the body. Possibly, the best drying product on the market!