Question about Quick Detailer

[sharpja]

I just recently started using UQD to maintain the finish in between washings and I've noticed something strange that I can't figure out. When I'm doing my final wipe, my microfiber towel doesn't glide smoothly across the paint, but seems to drag, and when I inspect the finish I can see tiny fibers on the paint finish that look to be left behind by the MF. I clayed, cleaned, and waxed 2 weeks ago, and I've been using UQD every night since my last wash over the weekend, so the paint should be in good condition.

The only causes I can think of are:
1. Some static charge build up from the wiping action
2. Not the best quality MF towels
3. I'm somehow doing it incorrectly

Has anyone else experienced this? Or have any idea what's going on?

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

What kind of towels are you using?

Static is possible, rare, but some people have gotten stuck with it on occasion while cleaning/polishing.

[sharpja]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

I was trying out some of those Vroom MF towels from Target (the orange ones).

[CieraSL]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

Have you washed your microfibers yet? Sometimes they shed lint when they're new. Kind of weird why they would be shedding like that. I used Vroom towels in the past and never had that problem. I'd wash 'em and see if that helps. Remember not to use any fabric softener with your microfibers. Read both these threads on washing microfibers:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11619

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31140

[sharpja]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

Have you washed your microfibers yet? Sometimes they shed lint when they're new. Kind of weird why they would be shedding like that. I used Vroom towels in the past and never had that problem. I'd wash 'em and see if that helps. Remember not to use any fabric softener with your microfibers. Read both these threads on washing microfibers:

Yes, I washed them before first use, as well as run them through 1 or 2 other wash cycles after use. After each wash cycle, I have dried them on low heat without fabric softener.

Do you think shaking them out before use would make a difference?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

Yes, I washed them before first use, as well as run them through 1 or 2 other wash cycles after use. After each wash cycle, I have dried them on low heat without fabric softener.

Do you think shaking them out before use would make a difference?

It may, but sometimes it's unavoidable.

When I notice a towel is shedding I try to use a wiping technique that gathers the fibers left behind and bring them into a pile and then quickly swipe it off the paint in one motion. Works fairly well. (Think of it like sweeping them into a pile)

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

I use the smaller white/gray Vroom towels, and it seems like every once in a while, I get lint from them, and then for a while they dont.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

I don't know the quality of vroom towels,but that's why I stick with the supreme shine cloths...No marks,...no lint.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

Just another point to add to this topic. I think a lot of people new to detailing do this. They buy all the right products to detail their car,but for some reason they skimp on their choice of towels? Possibly,thinking that a microfibre from one place is the same as another(It's just a cloth?),and you see so many bargains or packs going cheap.

They do vary greatly.I'd only stick with ones that are made for autos(even that can vary aswell).I go out of my way to get the meg's SS micros.I know they're good quality and they are washable over and over again.

This is more important than the product you're applying.

[Ol' Red]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

^To add onto the above post, whatever MF towels you get, rub them onto a clean, new CD(the underside of course) and see if the MF scratches the CD. If they scratch the CD they will probably scratch your car. Rub them on the CD harder than you would use them on your paint also.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

^To add onto the above post, whatever MF towels you get, rub them onto a clean, new CD(the underside of course) and see if the MF scratches the CD. If they scratch the CD they will probably scratch your car. Rub them on the CD harder than you would use them on your paint also.

Hey,that's a good idea ol' red.A good way to test the quality of onknown micros.

The playing side is very sensitive.Obviously,you wouldn't use a pre recoreded cd,as they cost more. But we all have writeables for the computer....I mean for what they cost.DVD surfaces are even more sensitive than CD's.So it might be worth trying out a writeable DVD that you don't use anymore.

[sharpja]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

^To add onto the above post, whatever MF towels you get, rub them onto a clean, new CD(the underside of course) and see if the MF scratches the CD. If they scratch the CD they will probably scratch your car. Rub them on the CD harder than you would use them on your paint also.

That is a fantastic idea. I'm going to try that out.

As for my original question, I'm pretty convinced that it's an issue with static electricity. I wiped my car down earlier today with the same type of towels that were part of my last wash batch, and I didn't have any lint problems and the MF didn't feel like it was dragging across the surface. So I'm thinking that it may come and go with ambient conditions, and depending on static charge that the car has.

I certainly appreciate everyone's inputs.

[ColonelCash]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

That is a fantastic idea. I'm going to try that out.

As for my original question, I'm pretty convinced that it's an issue with static electricity. I wiped my car down earlier today with the same type of towels that were part of my last wash batch, and I didn't have any lint problems and the MF didn't feel like it was dragging across the surface. So I'm thinking that it may come and go with ambient conditions, and depending on static charge that the car has.

I certainly appreciate everyone's inputs.

I have noticed this as well. NXT Interior Detailer is the worst for static in my TransAm, I have no reason why. Dust would literally cling to the plastic after I applied it.

Sadly, I can't pinpoint the exterior static to a certain combination of products or certain situation. Static electricity happens with certain enviormental conditions line up, including things as unique as YOU (and remember, we all all unique...just like everyone else). Everyone has some type of static charge in their bodies at all times. This can change by walking across carpet, living in a house with dry heat, or many other things. Also, the act of wiping a piece of cloth over a partially metal and semi-wet surface can increase the charge. Some of my microfibers have literally balled themselves up due to so much static. I'll shake them out and grab another one.

I like Mark's idea of trying to pile up the fibers and then sweep them off.

[JohanD]

Re: Question about Quick Detailer

^To add onto the above post, whatever MF towels you get, rub them onto a clean, new CD(the underside of course) and see if the MF scratches the CD. If they scratch the CD they will probably scratch your car. Rub them on the CD harder than you would use them on your paint also.

Good idea. You can even bring a blank CD or two to the store with you if you want to test out the MF towels in-store.