Should have just ordered more clay

I do agree with the air drying. I had not done that untill I got the MF^2 (Monster Fluffy Micro Fiber). The towels are much better!

 

yah... but i still got a horse crap clump of griots clay too, so
i need to cut down on excess inventory right now.

plus, when you add softener, doesn't it tend to streak more? its like
the fibers are clogged... air dry is the key. or, put it in the dryer
at low temp tumble for like 10min without softener and then air dry
to speed things up.

 

Well you could have saved on shipping and send me the house crap clay with the money you saved.

 

man, every time i open that Griots clay container it reminds me
of horse crap... (a horse that ate too much Yellow #5... lol)

here's the container im talking about... i got a couple of smaller ones
at the ContainerStore over the weekend.

(i need to rename that sauce applicator tag...)

 

Nice organization. I am still working on mine. I need to take a picture of the cart, I love it! I also need to get two containers for used towels..actually three. One for MF, one for cotton and one for shop rags.

 

I've actually had LESS SCRATCHING with high-quality "Made in the USA, 100% cotton" (it must say ALL of this on the tag, I've found) towels than more than half of my microfiber cloths. Cheap(er) MF compresses down and starts scratching after a few washes in my experience. if your MF or cotton towels ever start feeling "stiff", then relegate them to interior dashboard wipe duty or trim detail, or juast toss them and replace them with Detailers Paradise's wonderful Monster Fluffy towels.

I read about using high-quality cotton towels on sites like Zaino's, and they'd know what they're talking about. Just be sure to trim off the finished edges (they usually use nylom thread to wrap the edges, which can scratch) as well as any decorative elements like those enbroydered stripes and tags before use. Also, be sure that you wash the towels often and DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER on that load, as it interferes with the towel's ability to absorb properly - this is good advice for MF cloth as well.

 

well, there's your problem.

 

yah, i wish someone would make a smaller one (yes, smaller) and
out of plastic on the sides. no metals as i don't want to dent or
scratch my doors while working on my cars. this is why ive been
using this mobile shelf the last many years when doing electronic
work on the car (ie: stereo, ecu, lights, etc)

 

Nice

 

thanks, MiniMaybee.

 

I'd like to second that and really stress it.

Fabric softener should never ever be used when washing microfiber or any other towels (ie cotton) that will be used for car care. This includes both fabric softener sheets and fabric softener liquid. The fabric softener will "clog" the fibers, rendering them significantly less effective (if effective at all).

Also, bleach should never be used with microfiber. It permanently damages the fibers.

Last, liquid laundry detergent should always be used with microfiber. The powdered kind will often not dissolve completely and then will get stuck in the microfiber. We've actually seen undissolved detergent particles scratch paint just because of the use of powdered detergent when washing the microfiber.

In fact, I always suggest using one of the liquid detergents which is free of dyes, perfumes and such. Not that any of those things will definitely affect the microfiber, but there seems to be potential. I say, why take the chance? Premium quality microfiber should last you years and years. You don't want to ruin you microfiber investment before its time!

Another tip: if you find there seems to be a wax/polish buildup in your microfiber over time, just add some vinegar to your rinse cycle to break it up. It works wonderfully. Specifically, wash regularly with your liquid detergent (soaking them is good to do once in a while too). Then, run the load one more time... this time, add 1 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. It does wonders!

-Heather

 

vinegar! thanks for the tip.

 

I'm trying to think...when is the rinse cycle? Is that when the bleach goes in or the fabric softener (normally, I mean, not when washing MF!).

My washer is one of those that has the three compartments (detergent, bleach, fabric softener) and I could just put the vinegar in there but I can't remember which one is rinse.

Also, a random QD question...do I HAVE to wash before I wax? Or, if the car is pretty much clean (just a drive to town and back) can I just QD it before I put a second coat on (specifically, Slick and Epic). I suppose I could do the whole wash/wax thing on Friday since I have the day off...but I don't really let Clara get dirty, so it seems like a lot of effort that could be saved.

 

on my washer it has LED's that light up which cycle it's in...

No, i don't wash my car just to wax. if im changing waxes, i use
PaintPrep so i will hose it down with plenty of water so that it does
not corrode rubber seals and plastic parts.

last night i did my G35C... just spot clayed and waxed. then blended
the entire car with SprayOn wax. i rarely wash my garage queens.

 

Hmmm. I'm thinking I could get it done tomorrow afternoon in maybe an hour if I don't have to wash. Epic goes on and comes off so easy anyway. If all I had to do was Slick first it'd be a piece of cake. I already have one coat on but want the piece of mind of a 2nd "insurance" coat

 

yep, 2 coats is good to ensure full coverage too.