I use one to dry. Should I use something else, like a waffle-weave microfiber thingy? I want to use Hydro in the future to finish at the selfserve carwash. Is it better to use something like that to dry? thanks

 

I recently moved over from chamois to micro-weave towels from Detailers Paradise ("monster fluffy"). I'm not OCD, but I found they worked much better than the traditional chamois - great drying, no wringing. Only thing is you need to throw them in the wash every couple of uses, and DP recommends they get washed by themselves otherwise they pick up lots of lint from the other items in the wash.

 

chamois is mainly used due to its softness. The micro-fiber waffle weaves, however, absorb more water and are soft. It's the technology update to the chamois.

 

Right....chamois is out!!!! I suppose we can thank the OCD guys for finding a better way!!

 

I'm really beginning not to like my own posts lately... I think they are getting ahold of me. I am losing my grip........ Someone get me a bucket of dirt to throw on my car...

 

Let go, LynnEl.....feeeeel the Force!!!!!

 

So funny. Lynn must be drinking Hydro this morning.

 

I almost was tempted to go out yesterday and clean my car or something. Fortunately, I was saved by thunderstorms....

 

I warned you of this.... happens to the best of us...

 

I guess I've got the in-between with a synthetic chamois/drying towel. It works well but I think the monster fluffies have it beat.

I hear you Lynn and Blimey-the staging lot for the GWR run yesturday was dirt and gravel, I cringed as I was getting in line for the run and left plenty of room between me and the car in front as we headed out, now all I can think about is how I need to wash Hopkirk.

 

I still like my chamois. I have MF towels around, but just like the chamois better.

LynnEl, RUN!! RUN AWAY!!! SAVE YOURSELF!! It's too late for us!

 

I'm running, skuzzy... But (I yelling over my shoulder) why do you prefer the chamois?

 

Just an FYI - The waffle weave MFs work well for drying while the Monster Fluffies are best for buffing or QD. They certainly are soft, but the tend to not absorb water as well as the waffle weave towels do. I think there may be some confusion around the abbreviations MF for microfiber as well as Monster Fluffies. All Monster Fluffies are microfibers, but not all microfibers are Monster Fluffies.
Also FWIW here's a little trick I learned from Nick at DP. If your waffle weave seems to not be absorbing water well when you first start drying, spritz a little Slick or Hydro on the towel to help change the surface charge of the towel, it will then attract water instead of repel. Here in Colorado where the humidity is low, this helps break down the static charge on the towel that can be built up after a stint in the dryer.

 

+1 ^

The OP was asking about using a chamois with Hydro. I'm not sure that would even work. Hydro works by sort of buffing it into the surface of the paint (more of your normal "drying" action with a towel than with a chamois).

I used to use Monster Fluffies to dry...I found that the waffle weaves are more effective. I save the Monster Fluffies for Slick or Hydro on a dry surface.

 

chamois leaves behind streaks sometimes and also such a pita to have to
wet it down to use. plus the surface has no 'give' to allow left behind
grime to be pulled away from the surface...which will lead to scratches
if you use hydro and wipe the paint with it.

i bought a pair of waffle weave drying towels from DP
(father's day sale! woohoo~! ) and they look fantastic. the
best part is that it is a bright white color so easy to detect any dirt
that might be left behind after the wash. so you can pick them out
before your next app.

btw, monsterfluffy/platinum MF are not drying towels. you want to use
MF towels specifically made for drying. HUGE difference.

 

Chamois for me...only because I'm old-fashioned and like the feel of the material! But only for drying the car after a bath....

 

as long as you blot dry im sure they work fine. wrining is a pita though.

 

Lots of info. in this thread for us old time wash it with a rag guys. I am going to have to relearn all my car washing techniques when I get my MCSa in a couple of days (I hope).

First thing I will have to learn is a new vocabulary and ancronyms.

Geez, I guess that is what this forum is all about. Thanks all.

Don S.

 

I think chamios work fine for buffing wax off but not for drying. A waffle weave MF (not even a monster fluffy) is the only way to go when drying

p.s... I was too tired to wash the MINI this weekend so it be dirty

 

It's okay Teresa...Clara is clean but desperately needs polish. I don't know if it's the high winds around here lately blowing dust around, or what...but she is Spiderweb City right now.

 

I highly recommend this thread for "first-timers"...

Car Washing for the non-OCD

It has a lot of good basic info without going overboard!

 

Yeah my MINI is a regular swirl-o-rama after my 1st failed PC use attempt. I am going to have to set aside another 6-8 hour detailing day & sheesh the temps are only hovering in the mid 90's with massive humidity now so that should make for a fun day

 

I would not use a chamois for anything other than drying the car. They are not meant to be used for anything else.

And who wrings them out? I have an electric squeegee for that. I really do use a chamois to dry, per se. I use to it keep water spots from forming.

Actually kenchan. a good quality chamois does indeed pull dirt from the surface to prevent scratching.

The only reason I am not changing is I see no real benefit to do so. I have been cleaning/detailing for over 30 years and have never had swirls in my paint. I try new stuff all the time. If I find something that works better, then I use it.

However, products like Hydro are not meant for folks like me who prefer carnuaba waxes over synthetics. I use both, but the top coat is always carnuaba.

 

you use a chamois but you have an electric squeegee. so kinda like
having a woodstove and a microwave in the same kitchen.

my tools evolve with the times. if only paint was the same strength from
20-30yrs ago... keeps getting softer and softer. can't wait for nissan to
release their first production cars using self-repairing paint.

then we will be like you skuzzy, cars with not even one swirl.

 

TEXTURE...there's nothing like an original chamois for that old time texture. It's like helping out with Dad's '67 Ford XL Convertible on those weekends with The Doors pumping out the am radio...I wonder if you can get 8-tracks in a MINI?!

Oh...and the smell too...it has to do with passing on the fever from generation to generation. I wonder if they have Chamois scent for car interiors?