Microfiber for Detailing
There are a lot of options when it comes to Microfiber Towels for Auto Detailing, and there is good reason.
Different auto detailing tasks use different tools and chemicals and also require different types of towels.
Some towels are designed for specific tasks and other towels are designed to be as versatile as possible.
Detailers should pick towels and create a towel “Arsenal” based on the detailing processes and chemicals that they use.
Like pieces of a puzzle, the microfiber car detailing towels being used should complement the task, process and other products being used.
At the very least, a detailer should have a system of color coding for towels used in different tasks to reduce cross contamination, of chemicals, oils, dirt and grime (both during the detail phase, and laundering phase). We offer a wide range of colors in different types, weights, and weaves of microfiber towels for car detailing.
Towels for Different Tasks
Here is a (partial) list of the best microfiber towels for different car detailing tasks.
- Wash - Car wash microfiber towels for Traditional Wash and Rinseless Wash should be thick and plush. They should be capable of absorbing a good quantity of water and wash product. The fibers should be long enough to allow debris to be pulled away from the paint surface. Many detailers will use a mitt, sponge or wash pad for car washing.
- [Double Flip]
- [Motherfluffer]
- [Dragon] Wash Pad/Mitt
- [Green Monster] Sponge
- Drying - Microfiber drying towels should be able to absorb large quantities of water and absorb FAST! Most people prefer larger towels for drying. They allow you to cover more area faster and hold more overall water. Many mobile detailers will prefer two smaller towels, one in each hand. This allows the hands to work like windshield wipers, covering more area in less time.
- [Dreadnought]
- [Motherfluffer]
- [Big Thirsty]
- Glass - Towels for windows, and mirrors (more than any other towel), should be designed to work well with the chemicals and process that the detailer prefers. Some detailers will use one towel and their favorite cleaner, others will use a two-towel method (where a damp towel wipe is followed by a clean/dry towel wipe). Our [Flip Towel] series is particularly functional for cleaning glass. The pre-fold and sewn design insures that you are always wiping with a clean towel section, preventing streaks.
- Wheels & Engines - In most cases, detailers prefer dark (black) color towels for dirty jobs like wheels and engines. Since the break dust and oils can stain the fibers (and cannot be washed out), black towels will prevent the stains from showing over time. In most cases you don’t need to use a super high-quality towel for dirty jobs like this. Our [Wheel Flip] Design makes cleaning wheels a little less painful. The pre-folded and sewn sections create a pocket that you hand can fit in, and a corner that will cover your fingers to get into tight spaces. Flip to new towel sections, as the previous section becomes soiled. The compact design is less likely to drag on the floor, while the pockets make the towel easier to control.
- [Wheel Flip]
- [Wheel Fingers] Mitt
- [Finger Applicators] Mitt
- [Utility]
- [Elite]
- Interiors - We suggest using lighter color (white, light gray, light blue) towels when cleaning interiors. The last thing you want is for a darker color towel to bleed on your customer’s upholstery or leather. Most towel weaves will be sufficient for interior cleaning. We prefer lower pile towels for applying dressing, or agitating upholstery and carpet. Higher pile towels work great for dusting and dry wiping.
- [Elite]
- [Utility]
- [Interior Flip]
- [Multi-Flip]
- [Royal Plush]
- Quick Detail & Spray Wax - When using a Quick Detail Spray or applying a Spray Wax most detailers prefer a towel with a high pile. High pile towels provide cushion and the long fibers make less overall contact with the paint surface. If you are wiping a dirty surface with a QD or Waterless Wash product, you want to make sure that you are always switching to a clean towel section. If you are applying a spray wax you will want to use one section of the towel for application (spreading), and a separate dry section for buffing away streaks and residue. The [Double Flip 70.30] towel is designed specifically for this purpose.
- [Elite]
- [Elite 70.30]
- [Korean Plush 350]
- [Korean Plush 470]
- [Royal Plush]
- [Double Flip]
- [Double Flip 70.30]
- Decon Wash & Bug removal – For paint decontamination (iron fall out remover) and bug removal, you will want to use a material with a bit more “bite”. Our Microfiber Mesh material fits the bill. The small openings in the material allow the fibers to work at a more acute angle cutting through embedded and sticky containments.
- [Multi-Flip]
- [Block Scrubber] Sponge
- [Skinny Scrubber] Sponge
- Paint Correction – The best compounding, polishing, and buffing towels need to be made from the highest quality, ultra-fine yarn. The last thing you want is for the towels you are using to wipe away compound and polish residue to re-introduce clear coat damage that you are working to remove. It is best to use high-quality, fresh towels for this detailing process. Depending on the attributes of the polish or compound you are using you will need to decide if a high pile, or low pile towel will work better.
- [Utility 70.30]
- [Mr. Everything]
- [Elite 70.30]
- [Korean Plush 350]
- [Korean Plush 470]
- [Royal Plush]
- Coating Application & Leveling – Towels used for coating application and leveling should similar to those used for paint correction. They should be high-quality, with an ultra-fine yarn. Depending on the viscosity and friction created by the coating being applied, some detailers will prefer a low pile towel – others will prefer a high pile towel. Many professionals are developing two (or three) towel process, where the initial leveling is performed with a low pile towel, and the subsequent pass with a higher pile towel.
- [Utility 70.30]
- [Mr. Everything]
- [Elite 70.30]
- [Korean Plush 350]
- [Korean Plush 470]
- [Saver Applicator] Sponge
Color Coding (Organization)
Every detailer and auto enthusiast should have a system for storing, organizing and washing their microfiber towels. A color code system is essential for an organized and efficient detail business or shop.
Even if you are using one type of versatile towel (like the [Elite]) for every process (we have some mobile detailers who do this), you should have different colors for different detailing tasks. This will make laundering the towels easier and will reduce cross-contamination. Your towels will last longer and do their job more effectively, if you keep them separate.
Common color-coding guidelines:
- Dark towels for dirty jobs. Wheels, engines, and exterior trim
- Light Towels for finish work: So you can see any dirt that the towel picked up.
- White or light color towels for interior leather or upholstery
Check out our [Dirty Towel Separator] 32 gallon Trash Can Insert, and our [Sort & Store] Bucket Bag Organizers.
Cost Control
Towel costs can get out of control if you don’t have a good system in place, and you must continually replace towels that were ruined.
But… using old (or “dead”) towels, which need to be replaced, for the wrong process, can end up costing you more, in the long run.
So, not only is it important to have a color coding system, but it is important to have a system for caring for your towels after they have been used (laundering and storage), and a system to cycle through and repurpose towels as they wear out.
Towel Life-cycle
Many detailers move their towels through a “life cycle” as they progress through their operation.
Since towels deteriorate and become contaminated over time, new towels are dedicated to processes where pristine towels are necessary. These tasks include paint corrections and coatings.
More than just Towels
There are a quite a selection of microfiber products and tools for detailing which are not towels. They include:
- Applicators
- Sponges
- Mitts
- Gloves
- Brushes
- Mops
- Polishing Pads
- Aprons
- Bags
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