Wax and polish

[yellowperil]

In a recent write in to Panorama, someone asked best method for wax and polish
and in reply the editor said "do NOT ever use a microfiber cloth" to remove the wax residue. ??. Why not?? Anyone know. I use microfiber to polish off wax all the time. What am I doin' wrong?

[Oh Haha]

I use them as well. I'm interested in hearing from the detailers here for their opinion.

[DUK]

I'm not sure why either. When we had the Armor All car wash contest, that's all those guys used. I asked why and this pic tells the story as I was told it...

[yellowperil]

Someone here must know why. but Panorama was very much about "do NOT use".

I'm still gonna use microfiber on my P Car.

[RANDY P]

There's nothing else I could imagine without going to silly extremes that would be any better.

Microfiber is fine- as long as it's clean.

[TimT]

I think I read on Autopia, that on some microfiber towels, the stitching that binds the perimeter of the towel can be sharp/abrasive, and could cause scratches...

[chuckr]

As always... there are "good" microfiber and there are 'bad" microfiber. I tend to go with if its wet, cotton... if its paste or a thicker liquid or a hard wax, good microfiber.
Wet does not go well with microfiber. I have not found anything as good as microfiber for the removal of wax ! Cheeze cloth would be a close second !

[Scott Douglas]

So the photo/diagram posted by DUK shows why you don't want to use microfiber to take off the wax residue. It'll also take off what you want to leave on.
I've always just used a good clean cotton towel.

[Cooper911SC]

The Panorama Tech question was in the October 2014 issue.

I read it and remember thinking "to each their own"

This is much like the Chamois Vs. Cotton towel Vs. Waffle Microfiber towel to dry the car debate.

I just sent an email directly to John Paterek to see why he prefers cotton and not microfiber.

I am a professional detailer with 20 years of experience. I have prepared cars for National level PCA Concours as well a various other makes for open class Concours events.

My bread and butter remains daily driver type Porsche vehicles. These come with a wide spectrum of paint needs.

I started using Microfiber towels for removal of polish and wax residue in the early 90's. They were just beginning to get popular. Most "pros" still used soft cotton or flannel.

Today I use soft cotton for all of my polishing and waxing and Micro for removal.

There are varying qualities of Microfiber. Edge binding can scratch your paint work. Be careful of what you use.
Cotton towels can also have synthetic edge binding.

I am very much a realist in my approach to detailing. There is a wide spectrum of products and methods out there. If something is giving you satisfactory results then stick with it.

Let's see what John's take is.

Cooper

[bkreigsr]

The Zanio system also has a preference. Sal Zanio recommends that you go out to bed Bath & Beyond and spend your last paycheck by getting some high count Egyptian cotton terry cloth towels for work with his chemical system. (He has a whole chapter on the care and maintenance of these towels once they get into service.)
It is my understanding that the microfiber cloths and mitts are made from varying-quality, probably recycled, plastic products. As such, it makes sense that rubbing your car down with a piece of plastic will do damage to you finish.
Personally, I can't tell the difference between a car detailed with cotton and one detailed with microfiber. But, down the road, after a number of years, how much of the original finish is going to be remaining if it has been continually rubbed down with a manufactured synthetic cloth?

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=towel_guidelines&Store_Code=Z

Bill K

[yellowperil]

So I still like microfiber, but, and I'll get a lot of flaK on this, I don't like clay bar.
It always feels like I'm scatchin' the crap out of the paint. I just don't get it. Feels smoother maybe, but at what price?

[Scott Douglas]

A clay bar can be your best friend if your car is black.