100% cotton towels bad? - DetailCity.org

bobby5 · 06-30-2005, 12:48 AM

I have been reading and it seems that everyone is using microfiber towels. I always used 100% cotton towels to wipe off wax, quick detail, dry off etc. I was wondering if this has or will harm my finish?

jaybs02 · 06-30-2005, 07:01 AM

Think of it more as evolution, before the populatity of the MF that is what you had to use.
MF are softer and less corse than than the cotton, so they will introduce less marring to the paint.

I wonder what the next generation of towel will bring

HTH
"J"

Poorboy · 06-30-2005, 08:02 AM

I agree with Jay ...for many years of detailing all i used was various cotton towels, and for some jobs, still do, but when there's something available and better people move will use it

69 GTO Judge · 06-30-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poorboy

I agree with Jay ...for many years of detailing all i used was various cotton towels, and for some jobs, still do, but when there's something available and better people move will use it

:yeah

I still get people swearing by diapers and do not want to believe that there is something better.

NYV6Coupe · 06-30-2005, 12:15 PM

Cotton towels are not bad, just "old school".

IMHO, cotton content is inconsistent & the binding material (either along the edges or in the usefull area) can be polyester thread.

Also, using cotton means you have to deal with lint which is not a problem you'll find with MF if they are properly washed.

DFTowel · 06-30-2005, 12:41 PM

woah there guys, lots of bad mis-information here! First of all, MF refers to the size of the yarn, NOT what it is made of.

Keep in mind that there are many polyester MF towels that will indeed scratch and there are many that won't. Conversely, there are many cottons that will scratch and many that won't. You need to know what to look for and choose wisely.

As far as lint (called shedding in the industry) is concerned any good towel will wash that out after a wash or two.

IMO there is nothing better or safer than premium cottons such as Pima and related cottons.

Beemerboy · 06-30-2005, 12:57 PM

Thanks DF Towel.....I have used cotton towels for years. I decided to buy more MF this year and make the switch....Its kind of like giving up your old music cassettes for CD's........I like them both fro various reasons.....removing wax I find MF superior to terry towels, but for deep down in your face cleaning I still grab for a good terry towel.

NYV6Coupe · 06-30-2005, 01:38 PM

Appreciate the input, DFTowel, I had no intention to misinform.

The "content" comment was aimed at the different grades (types??) of cotton towels that are available just like there are different grades of MF towels. Aside from buying one of the ultra-premium towels that you listed from a detailing source, it's between difficult & impossible to know what you're getting in terms of quality.

All towels, 100% cotton & poly/cotton blend, feel soft when they're new but after a few washing the true quality is revealed.

Back in the 80's I bought some towels specifically for detailing purposes and it wasn't until they had been washed many times (and were causing some marring) that I noticed they were 100% COTON ... no misspelling.

I have no idea what COTON is, but it wasn't 100% COTTON.

jaybs02 · 06-30-2005, 09:42 PM

DFTowel, thank you for the clarification and a short lesson.

If someone wants to use cotton that won't scratch what should they look for?
also what should people stay away from with polyester towels to avoid introducing scratching.

Thanks,
"J"

TrueDetailer · 06-30-2005, 09:48 PM

Cotton towels are all i have ever used. I'll never switch to MF towels. I'm old school baby.

06-30-2005, 12:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
bobby5 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 12	100% cotton towels bad? I have been reading and it seems that everyone is using microfiber towels. I always used 100% cotton towels to wipe off wax, quick detail, dry off etc. I was wondering if this has or will harm my finish?

06-30-2005, 07:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
jaybs02 OBEY ME Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Quahog Rhode Island Posts: 2,980	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? Think of it more as evolution, before the populatity of the MF that is what you had to use. MF are softer and less corse than than the cotton, so they will introduce less marring to the paint. I wonder what the next generation of towel will bring HTH "J" __________________ 02 Bronzemist Oldsmobile Alero Acronym List (update) / Mfg. Pad Colors / Picture Posting & Resizing

06-30-2005, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Poorboy Detail City Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York Posts: 8,428	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? I agree with Jay ...for many years of detailing all i used was various cotton towels, and for some jobs, still do, but when there's something available and better people move will use it __________________ life is short ..do it while you can www.poorboysworld.com web site www.poorboysworld.net Poorboy's info forum

06-30-2005, 12:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
NYV6Coupe Livin' the good life Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Western New York Posts: 816	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? Cotton towels are not bad, just "old school". IMHO, cotton content is inconsistent & the binding material (either along the edges or in the usefull area) can be polyester thread. Also, using cotton means you have to deal with lint which is not a problem you'll find with MF if they are properly washed. __________________ 2000 Accord EX V6 Coupe Satin Silver Metallic There's a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".

06-30-2005, 12:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
DFTowel Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 194	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? woah there guys, lots of bad mis-information here! First of all, MF refers to the size of the yarn, NOT what it is made of. Keep in mind that there are many polyester MF towels that will indeed scratch and there are many that won't. Conversely, there are many cottons that will scratch and many that won't. You need to know what to look for and choose wisely. As far as lint (called shedding in the industry) is concerned any good towel will wash that out after a wash or two. IMO there is nothing better or safer than premium cottons such as Pima and related cottons. __________________ Leo 1986 El Camino 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII 1999 Cadillac Seville 1951 Fiat 500C

06-30-2005, 12:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Beemerboy Just One More Coat Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 7,128	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? Thanks DF Towel.....I have used cotton towels for years. I decided to buy more MF this year and make the switch....Its kind of like giving up your old music cassettes for CD's........I like them both fro various reasons.....removing wax I find MF superior to terry towels, but for deep down in your face cleaning I still grab for a good terry towel. __________________ Old Enough To Know Better, Too Stupid To Care.... Dave's Detailing Sonoma County, CA

06-30-2005, 01:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
NYV6Coupe Livin' the good life Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Western New York Posts: 816	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? Appreciate the input, DFTowel, I had no intention to misinform. The "content" comment was aimed at the different grades (types??) of cotton towels that are available just like there are different grades of MF towels. Aside from buying one of the ultra-premium towels that you listed from a detailing source, it's between difficult & impossible to know what you're getting in terms of quality. All towels, 100% cotton & poly/cotton blend, feel soft when they're new but after a few washing the true quality is revealed. Back in the 80's I bought some towels specifically for detailing purposes and it wasn't until they had been washed many times (and were causing some marring) that I noticed they were 100% COTON ... no misspelling. I have no idea what COTON is, but it wasn't 100% COTTON. __________________ 2000 Accord EX V6 Coupe Satin Silver Metallic There's a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".

06-30-2005, 09:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
jaybs02 OBEY ME Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Quahog Rhode Island Posts: 2,980	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? DFTowel, thank you for the clarification and a short lesson. If someone wants to use cotton that won't scratch what should they look for? also what should people stay away from with polyester towels to avoid introducing scratching. Thanks, "J" __________________ 02 Bronzemist Oldsmobile Alero Acronym List (update) / Mfg. Pad Colors / Picture Posting & Resizing

06-30-2005, 09:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
TrueDetailer You Can't Lose With 22's Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Polk County, Florida Posts: 1,004	Re: 100% cotton towels bad? Cotton towels are all i have ever used. I'll never switch to MF towels. I'm old school baby.

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