[cpie168]

Is it ok to use terry cloth towels for drying my car after washing? Often, I find water would bead up on the microfibre towels when they are dry, rather than soaking up the water like terry cloth towels. Terry cloth towels are inexpensive and can be found everywhere, so I wonder if there is a reason not to use them for drying.

Thanks in advance!

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by cpie168

Is it ok to use terry cloth towels for drying my car after washing? Often, I find water would bead up on the microfibre towels when they are dry, rather than soaking up the water like terry cloth towels. Terry cloth towels are inexpensive and can be found everywhere, so I wonder if there is a reason not to use them for drying.

Thanks in advance!

Depends on the hardness of your paint??? Not all paint are the same. Doing it on a soft paint system like Jet Black with a terry cloth is simply asking for it. But then....there are those of us who cant tell a squirrel from a swirl so it makes no difference to them on a terry cloth, a MF, a old Rag, a bath towel , or old underwear.

A lighter color like silver tends to hide a lot of imperfections. Swirls and fine scratches are there but it takes the right lighting to see them.

A good quality MF drying towel (not the Costco variety) minimize the chance of any self induced towel marring. Also....MF also works better when they are damp and not bone dry. When you clean your MF towels, be sure not to use any fabric softener in both the washing and drying process. Fabric softener tends to reduce the effectiveness of the MF.

[cpie168]

Thank you for your input psnt! By suggesting that terry cloth towels have a greater chance of scratching the paint, does that mean they are generally harder or rougher than MF towels?

For MF drying towels, does it make sense to get them damp first before using them to soak up water on the car after a wash? What if I simply use terry cloth towels to "pat dry" rather than wiping it with any kind of force?

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by cpie168

Thank you for your input psnt! By suggesting that terry cloth towels have a greater chance of scratching the paint, does that mean they are generally harder or rougher than MF towels?

For MF drying towels, does it make sense to get them damp first before using them to soak up water on the car after a wash? What if I simply use terry cloth towels to "pat dry" rather than wiping it with any kind of force?

There are some premium terry cloth that are quite soft but I find a quality MF is more suitable for drying large surfaces such as a vehicle. The absorbency of MF is much better than that of a terry cloth. When i say damp...I meant slightly moist and not bone dry.



I use the Microfiber Madness Dry me crazy towel. IMO...it is the best drying towel out there.

[Former USMC]

Originally Posted by cpie168

Is it ok to use terry cloth towels for drying my car after washing? Often, I find water would bead up on the microfibre towels when they are dry, rather than soaking up the water like terry cloth towels. Terry cloth towels are inexpensive and can be found everywhere, so I wonder if there is a reason not to use them for drying.

Thanks in advance!

Cpie168,

Yes, it's okay to use a terry cloth towel for drying, polishing, etc. I will assume the terry cloth is made of cotton?? I routinely use both cotton (with the edges removed) and microfiber towels to wash, wax and polish my car.

Second, make sure you cut the edges/hems of your terry cloth towels. The edges/hems usually contain a nylon thread that may scratch or create towel marks or swirls on your paint. So, cut off the edges.

Over the last 12 years, I've had five different automobile manufacturers brands, e.g., Chevrolet, Porsche, Infiniti, Volvo and now BMW. I cannot objectively state which manufacturer has the "hardest" paint - they all appear to be pretty good. When properly cared for, all paints will endure routine washing, claying, polishing and waxing.

And finally, I might suggest that after washing your car, you spray a little detailer spray/speed shine/spray wax on your wet car and wipe/polish dry.

Semper Fi

[HazChem]

Using a high quality cotton terry towel will probably be fine but you should use a microfiber towel to minimize the chance of introducing scratches. Specifically use one that is designed for drying such as a waffle weave like this one. You're probably using a microfiber better designed for removing wax or similar.

[UncleWede]

I'm old school and still use a chamois to get most off. Then spritz with the final detailed and wipe down with Costco MF. As mentioned, I have greys so YMMV

[originalgoods13]

FYI all BMW paints are hard not soft, comparing to other brands like Porsche, Honda, etc...

There is not such thing as soft BMW paint. Jet Black shows imperfections more than your standard BMW paint, but they all go through the same process, even same clear coat.

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by originalgoods13

FYI all BMW paints are hard not soft, comparing to other brands like Porsche, Honda, etc...

There is not such thing as soft BMW paint. Jet Black shows imperfections more than your standard BMW paint, but they all go through the same process, even same clear coat.

I beg to differ. I worked on several jet black(s) as well as the other BMW colors. There is a difference with Jet Black.

Don't just take my words for it....check with the detailing community. On some of the harder BMW paint, I could (from experience) do a one step correction generally but for Jet Black...its normally takes 2 to finish down correctly.

Prior to installing a coating on my car, I could easily mar the clean paint by lightly running my finger through any body panel. Towel marring are now a thing of the past for me.

[originalgoods13]

Agree to disagree, it will vary with different models/years and what product you use to cut and polish

I have a Black Sapphire Metallic 2014 and it is easy to mar, but very hard to correct. Had to use Yellow Cut and FG400 for minor swirls, I am talking about swirls from 1 improper washing technique done by the dealer!

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by originalgoods13

Agree to disagree, it will vary with different models/years and what product you use to cut and polish
I have a Black Sapphire Metallic 2014 and it is easy to mar, but very hard to correct. Had to use Yellow Cut and FG400 for minor swirls, I am talking about swirls from 1 improper washing technique done by the dealer!

it will vary with different models/years and what product you use to cut and polish

This....I agree absolutely. The trick is getting the right combination to get the job done with the least reduction in paint thickness (CC). I like to measure the paint prior to any corrections. This generally helps me determine what method/process I should take.

I am talking about swirls from 1 improper washing technique done by the dealer!

I feel your pain.....this happened to me as well. What upset me the most was that I specifically told the dealership not to wash it and they done it anyway. This was the aftermath from their FREE wash

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by cpie168

Is it ok to use terry cloth towels for drying my car after washing? Often, I find water would bead up on the microfibre towels when they are dry, rather than soaking up the water like terry cloth towels. Terry cloth towels are inexpensive and can be found everywhere, so I wonder if there is a reason not to use them for drying.

Thanks in advance!

I've been using the DI Drying Towels for years with great success. They're definitely safer and softer than terry cloths and should easily soak up water. If it simply beads up water rather than absorbing it easily, you either have a lower quality towel or it may be on its way out due to age or improper washing/drying. As mentioned, microfiber towels are prone to damage with heat and fabric softeners, as well as bleach, so lightly washing and then air drying is best.

Ivan @ DI