[Debaser]

I was at Costco the other day and saw a nice big, all natural sheepskin chamois for $12. Decided to give it a shot.

After raining all afternoon, I pulled the gar into the garage and started to wipe her down with the sheepskin. Totally different than any other chamois/microfiber I've used. It seems to really STICK to the car body and DRAG. Not super-absorbent, but I discovered that, after giving giving the car a quick wipe-down with a microfiber, the sheepskin totally picked up all the excess and left a smooth finish.

Anyway, this thing is totally new to me and a Google search doesn't turn up anything useful in terms of technique/usefulness/methods, etc.

Any input from you guys on these topics? One thing I found annoying was that particles of the sheep fluffed onto my car! I'm also not sure whether to use the soft underbelly of the chamois or the slightly coarser outside...?

[ibimmer954]

Quick! Throw that thing away before you do more damage! Any method involving the words "stick" and "drag" cannot be a good thing. What you want is as little pressure as possible.

I used to use one of those sheepskin things for my black Acura. And looking back on it, I realize the paint on that car was trashed. I've become enlightened since then. Microfiber only. Little pressure as possible.

[jopa489]

Did you wipe down your car after it rained without actually washing it?

[Buegie]

Originally Posted by jopa489

Did you wipe down your car after it rained without actually washing it?

+1 your paint is kind of f'ed now...you just rubbed around all the dirt that was left on the surface

[mvillezcas]

Yeah, use these from now on.
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Micr...00/36-x-24-S1/
http://www.detailersdomain.com/uber-...towelblue.aspx

[lucas.kent]

Listen to mvillezcas ^. I've used both of those and they are both great.

[Debaser]

Originally Posted by jopa489

Did you wipe down your car after it rained without actually washing it?

Yes, but the car had been fully washed the previous day so the surface was clean. I appreciate this, though - I'll make sure not to do it under any other circumstances!

As for microfibre, I've already got a few towels etc. Are there any real differences between the different manufacturers' products? I mean, is it worth me going out and getting "better" microfibre? The stuff I got at Canadian Tire was already quite expensive - can't remember the name.

And I'm not sure if "drag" necessarily = "bad". People were using sheepskin chamois(es) for decades before microfibre came around. They probably just knew how to use them properly.

[lucas.kent]

Originally Posted by Debaser

As for microfibre, I've already got a few towels etc. Are there any real differences between the different manufacturers' products? I mean, is it worth me going out and getting "better" microfibre? The stuff I got at Canadian Tire was already quite expensive - can't remember the name.

Yes, there is a BIG difference. The quality of a microfiber that you get at, say, an Autozone, is going to be vastly different than one you get from Detailed Image or Detailer's Domain. Obviously, different microfibers serve different purposes (drying, waxing, general cleaning, glass, interior, etc) but a good general guideline to tell if a microfiber towel is decent is to look at the grams per square meter. Some will say that anything below 300 is not good quality. Others here may have varying opinions.

Personally, I like these: http://www.detailersdomain.com/thene...lushtowel.aspx (they weigh in at 700 grams per square meter).

[pruettfan]

Chamois were used for years based upon their absorbancy more so that it's lack of abrasion, especially on a car with any possibility of dirt. Microfiber is absolutely the best way to go. I agree that the quality can vary a great deal. I suggest detailedimage.com as a great source. The waffle weave towel is great for drying the car after a wash. Buy a few good towels and take good care of them and they will serve you very well. I buy a bundle of the yellow microfiber towels from costco for utility type work but detailing I stick with the higher quality stuff. Also the microfiber detergent is great for them.

[Debaser]

Thanks, guys!