drying.... MF vs. chamois
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Bruce WI
drying.... MF vs. chamois
I got a wafle weave MF. I've always used a chamois before. The MF leaves streaks the the chamois never did. Whats the down side to using the good ol' chamois? Not impressed with the MF for drying.
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I still feel the best process for drying is sheeting the water, leaf blower and a waffle weave to finish. With a well prepped surface the leaf blower step is almost unnecessary.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Orange County California
I've always hated chamois's's. They DO dry out and ARE abrasive, and I never even thought they sucked up the water that well. I am blown away by the guzzler waffle weave from AutoGeek (I am not profiting). After I blow dry the car, I only need about half of my 20x40 to dry it. Even when damp/wet, there are hardly any trails left with this towel. I have about 40 old cotton towels that my wife will soon be thrilled about, because I am finally going to get rid of them (well, I'm going to "store" them out of eye sight...they're still good for cleaning the inside of the exhaust tips....
)Streaks you say? From what? Water streaks/"trails," or actual marking on the paint? That could be from non-rinsed shampoo or areas where the dirt didn't get washed off?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I only use the MF drying towel. I first use the leaf blower to get most of the water off and out of the nook's and granny's. Oh yes I also take the spray nozzle off at the very end and run the hose over the car to get the sheeting action.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: South Florida
make sure not to wash MF towels with fabric softner and with other laundry. First the softner will ruin its ability to soak up water, and washing with other laundry will cause lint and attract every piece of string, dust, dirt or contaminent.
Chamois have no nap ... they are very abrasive and can lead to scratching and swirls so tread lightly.
Chamois have no nap ... they are very abrasive and can lead to scratching and swirls so tread lightly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: New Port Richey Florida
What they all said above.
I've tried natural and synthetic chamois and haven't been impressed for various reasons. If you miss any small amount of grit or dirt during the wash, it can scratch your paint when the chamois goes over it.
I've been using the guzzler waffle weave towels from AG and they're great.
Just a side note - Not all waffle weave drying towels are the same. I had picked up 3 from the local Big Lots when they were on sale for 1.99 each. Well you get what you pay for. These were the Turtle Wax brand and they didn't soak up nearly the water that my AG guzzler did. I just keep the cheap ones in my laundry now next to my deep sink for drying my hands and use my AG guzzlers for the cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: New Port Richey Florida
The waffle weaves we were using to dry your vette were purchased from forum sponsor Autogeek.
They come in different sizes.
The smaller towel
http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-waffle-weave.html
The large towel
http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-waffle-weave.html
You could use 2 of the smaller towels and it would be enough to dry your entire car. They do have a sale on the 3 pack of the small towels. If you decide to order them, don't forget that we get a 10% discount for being CF members. On their online order form type in corvetteforum in the coupon code box and they'll automatically take of the 10%.
They come in different sizes.
The smaller towel
http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-waffle-weave.html
The large towel
http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-waffle-weave.html
You could use 2 of the smaller towels and it would be enough to dry your entire car. They do have a sale on the 3 pack of the small towels. If you decide to order them, don't forget that we get a 10% discount for being CF members. On their online order form type in corvetteforum in the coupon code box and they'll automatically take of the 10%.
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Safety Car
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From: Lewes DE
get rid of the chamois, man.
use the nozzle-less rinse, and then leafblower, you'll hardly have a need for any towel at all. You can use a MF or 100% cotton towel for the last few drops.
Also, make sure to give a light spray with your favorite quick detailer as you're towel drying - it will get rid of any tiny water spots.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Hauppauge New York
Agree with bugman ... I used to use a chamois to dry the car, but now I do 5 minutes with a leaf blower, then 5 more minutes with a white, 100% cotton, made in the USA towel. If I'm feeling crazy, 5 more minutes, 1 more towel, and some Z6.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Central Ma
get rid of the chamois, man.
use the nozzle-less rinse, and then leafblower, you'll hardly have a need for any towel at all. You can use a MF or 100% cotton towel for the last few drops.
Also, make sure to give a light spray with your favorite quick detailer as you're towel drying - it will get rid of any tiny water spots.
Ending with a light Z6, or your favorite QD is time well spent!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Orange County California
12 posts on a thread considering chamois vs. MF towels is hardly enough! Even with an obvious choice in drying tools, this should take at least 25-35 posts. 
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Melting Slicks
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From: Red Sox Nation! RI
What!? You guys don't like a chamois?!?!
I used to have one as well and was never really comfortable dragging it across my paint. Though the real chamois did suck up water pretty well. I've been using cotton towels, myself.
I just bought one of those waffle weaves from the Geek for a friend, and it works great. I just hate the pockets on it.
I used to have one as well and was never really comfortable dragging it across my paint. Though the real chamois did suck up water pretty well. I've been using cotton towels, myself.
I just bought one of those waffle weaves from the Geek for a friend, and it works great. I just hate the pockets on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
What!? You guys don't like a chamois?!?!
I used to have one as well and was never really comfortable dragging it across my paint. Though the real chamois did suck up water pretty well. I've been using cotton towels, myself.
I just bought one of those waffle weaves from the Geek for a friend, and it works great. I just hate the pockets on it.
I used to have one as well and was never really comfortable dragging it across my paint. Though the real chamois did suck up water pretty well. I've been using cotton towels, myself.
I just bought one of those waffle weaves from the Geek for a friend, and it works great. I just hate the pockets on it.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Lewes DE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
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From: Orange County California
I have one, and there ain't no pockets. C4boy, do you somehow mean the indentations in the weave? 
I've posted in the past how great the Guzzler is. It dries even when damp. Normal towels don't do that.