DFB5.0
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Microfiber 101 with DFB
One of the biggest advancements in the detailing world over the last 10 to 15 years has been the massive increase in the towels we use to clean our cars. With so many microfiber towels on the market from a variety of different brands, it can be hard to know what to buy.
Knowing which towel to choose for each detailing task is something that takes time to perfect. Choosing a weave type and GSM to suit each task will save you time and improve the finished result. This thread is aimed at those looking to have the right towel for each and every detailing job, allowing you to skip the trial-and-error stage.
But first, let’s look at the basics, an important factor when choosing towels.
Microfiber 101
What is GSM?
Grams Per Square Meter. This relates to weight or density of the towel fibers, not necessarily the thickness or plushness.
What is the blend?
The blend refers to the ratio of Polyester and Polyamide for each towel. The Polyester provides the cleaning ability, the Polyamide provides softness and absorbency.
What is the weave?
This describes the length (pile) and shape of each individual fiber (weave). Again, different detailing tasks require different pile/weave designs. Some weaves include –
Plush Pile –
These towels have long fibers on both sides, providing a cushion between the towel and the surface by reducing the pressure points of your hand.
Pro’s – Plush towels are usually softest feeling of the bunch and are best for delicate surfaces, like soft paint or piano-black gloss trims.
Con’s – In some cases, the long soft fibers don’t provide sufficient “bite” for cleaning duties. These towels are not always ideal for drying as the fibers can create excessive friction and drag when wet.
Dual Pile –
As the name suggests, these towels have a low pile on one side and high pile on the other.
Pro’s – Versatile, these towels strike a balance between cleaning ability and softness for delicate surfaces. The plusher side is ideal for spray sealants and polish removal on softer paints. The shorter side suited to heavy compound removal or interior cleaning.
Con’s – Jack of all trades, master of none?
Twist Loop / Twist Pile –
These towels have loops of fibre that are bundled and twisted in a double helix pattern. A twist pile weave increases the surface area of the material, which in turn improves absorbency and smoothness when wet.
Pro’s – High absorbency and reduced friction when wet makes these ideally suited for drying. They are great for glass too due to the density.
Con’s – Grabby when dry and expensive to make/purchase.
Closed-loop / Pearl-Weave –
Pearl weave towels have a tight weave and a low closed-loop pile.
Pro’s - The low pile makes these great for biting through compound, polish and wax removal. They are also an effective coating removal towel, and can be used for glass cleaning. Softer than Twist Loop.
Con’s – While soft feeling, closed-loop towels tend to be more aggressive than their plush counterparts. More expensive.
Waffle Weave –
Waffle-weave is the original car drying microfiber towel. With no pile, they have a crosshatch pattern of low and high sections, the ridges creating a squeegee effect across the surface. Despite the lack of pile, they are super absorbent.
Pro’s – The waffle weave pattern helps reduce contact with the surface, in effect making it glide with less friction. Ideal for drying or glass cleaning duties. Low/no linting.
Con’s – Not the best for softer paints. More expensive to make/buy.
Hybrid Weave –
As the name suggests, these towels combine two different weave types to create a best of both worlds. For example, the TRC Gauntlet combines the high water absorption of a twist-loop towel with the smoothness and lack of grabbiness of a plush weave towel. Or the TRC Platinum Pluffle, which combines the softness of a plush weave with the absorbency of a waffle weave.
Pro's - High water absorption and smoothness across the paint.
Con's - Expensive to make/buy.
Diamond Weave –
Specifically designed for glass, a diamond pattern towel mimics a waffle weave in having reduced surface area for a smoother, less grabby feel.
Pro’s – Reduced drag and easier wiping across glass. They can also be great on polished metals. Low/no linting.
Con’s – Limited use, lack of versatility.
Terry Weave –
The most common and most versatile type of microfiber, terry weave towels are also what most think of when the word “microfiber” is mentioned. Not to be confused with cotton terry towels (remember those?), terry weave towels have open ended fibers that are bundled in small groups. With so many “fingers”, it makes them ideal for cleaning duties. The most common and most identifiable type of microfiber, terry weave are generally low pile towels.
Pro’s – Terry weave towels are cost effective and decently absorbent. They are great for interior cleaning, exterior dirty jobs, metal polishing, coating removal, polish and wax removal. Low linting.
Con’s – Can sometimes mean a cheap and nasty towel, choose wisely.
Suede –
An ultra-low pile with a completely smooth and soft feel, suede towels have minimal use in detailing.
Pro’s – The short pile makes them lint free and ideally suited for cleaning instrument clusters and screens or used to apply ceramic coatings.
Con’s – Limited use.
Chenille –
Some like these, some don’t. Chenille is generally used in wash mitts and pads and are recognized by the bundles of microfiber “fingers”. With so many “fingers”, these have a high surface area to improve cleaning efficiency.
Pro’s – Ideally suited to exterior washing of bodywork and wheels. The material used in these wash mitts is highly suited to being fully wet.
Con’s – Some suggestion that they are not as safe as other types of wash media.
Pairing Towels to Specific Tasks
It’s taken me years to arrive at the following list. It’s worth noting that towels can be very subjective and personal, so use this listing as guide to get you started or what to look for.
Most of my towels are from The Rag Company (TRC), with a couple from Microfiber Madness. You will notice some duplication here, with colour used to differentiate towels into usages. Where I have specified a colour, this has been done to provide differentiation where the same towel serves dual roles. I probably have a lot of unnecessary categories here, so pick and choose those that are relevant to your needs.
Wash Media (Mitts, Pads) –
Personally, I hate wash mitts and much prefer a wash pad, but I know that is subjective. After trying many different formats and brands, these are what I have settled on –
DFB’ Pick – TRC Cyclone Ultra
Any of the TRC wash mitts and pads are great, but the Ultra line is their softest and safest of the bunch. These are available in four different formats; mini-mitt (wheels), regular mitt, regular pad and the 10x extra-large pad. Personally, I use the regular size pad on passenger vehicles, the 10x for larger SUV’s and pickups. The wheel mitt is excellent too.
DFB’s Wildcard – Microfiber Madness Deli-Pad/Mitt
Available in mitt or pad, this is an excellent option for softer, more delicate paint. The Deli-Pad and Mitt are thinner than expected, but much plusher and softer feeling.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least one per vehicle.
More on wash media here -
Wash Media: Mitts, Sponges & Pads | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com
Drying Towels (Large) –
This is probably one of the most subjective towel categories. Some prefer the lack of bulk and extreme absorbency of a twist-loop, some like that ultra soft padded feel of a plush towel, some favour the smoothness of a waffle weave. For me, the ideal drying towel combines all of those attributes.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Gauntlet
Available in several sizes, I prefer the medium as it’s more than big enough for most vehicles without becoming a bulky pain in the neck. I like these towels because they combine the absorbance of a twist-loop towel, but the softness and smoothness across the paint of waffle weave and plush towels. 700 GSM and a 70/30 blend made in Korea.
DFB’s Wildcard – Waxit Tempest or Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy
Considering my dislike of twist-loop, it was hard to make a suggestion here. Prior to the Gauntlet, I was using something like the NV Tempest or Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy. These are ultra plush 1000 - 1200 GSM towels that are thicker than most modern towels, but the feel of plushness gives an impression of safeness.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least one per vehicle.
Drying Aid Towels (Small) –
When using a blower of some kind to remove the bulk of the water, you really don’t need a big drying towel to finish the job. In this instance, I prefer a smaller square shaped towel, 40cm x 40cm in particular.
DFB’s Pick - Microfiber Madness Chipmunk Jr.
This is a towel TRC don’t currently make, as in a 40x40 version of the amazing hybrid weave Gauntlet. Enter Microfiber Madness! I landed on this towel after trying a variety of potential candidates, most disappointing for drying aid use. This towel has just the right combination of bulk, plushness and water absorbency.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC FTW
While I have a number of these for drying aid duty, I find the twist-loop FTW a touch grabby for my liking. That opinion is subjective, some really like them for this role. Worth a look, just know it will be on the grabbier side.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 4, or two per vehicle.
Wheel Towel -
Probably a useless addition, especially if you are blow drying, but I still like to give wheels a final wipe down after dressing the tyres. Because of the closeness to the floor, I think you need a smaller than average towel to avoid dragging it across the ground.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Gauntlet (30cm x 30cm)
I know this is probably too nice of a towel to subject to this task, but me, this is one of those towels that suits its job so well. It’s perfectly sized and perfectly weighted to work between the wheel spokes without excessive bulk or change of dragging on the ground or on the tyre. One of my favorite towels.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Creature Edgeless (Black)
This is a hard choice because of how transcendent the Gauntlet is at this task. I settled on the Creature because of its 420 GSM, dual-pile versatility, size and relative cost effectiveness. You could also do the Spectrum, which is a edged version of the Creature, but the edgeless is easier to manage.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 2, or 2 per vehicle.
Door Jamb Drying –
I know, I know, another category, but one I personally believe in. Depending on how dirty these are on your vehicle, you can probably get away with using your normal drying aid or large drying towel. But for dirtier applications, I tend to favour a separate waffle weave towel.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Dry Me A River (Light Blue)
I have these in the 40cm x 60cm and 50cm x 100cm sizes to cover different vehicle sizes. Even the small 40cm x 40cm would be great too. The lack of bulk with these towels makes them ideal for getting into these space restricted areas.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Platinum Pluffle 40cm x 40cm
This towel is perfectly sized and incredibly soft, perfect for well-maintained cars or softer paints. Get them while you can, this towel is soon to be discontinued.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 2 per vehicle.
Glass Towels –
For glass, you need a dense, low pile towel to limit streaking and linting. There are a variety of glass-specific towels, but I’ve settled on waffle weave.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Dry Me A River
TRC make a variety of waffle weave towels, but their premium DMAR is the best for glass. In particular, you want the 16x24 version. I’ve found these to be the smoothest and easiest towel to clean glass.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC FTW
While I listed this towel as a drying aid towel, it was originally designed for glass, FTW means “for the windows” or “for the win”. The lower pile and high density makes them a great choice for glass.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 4, two per vehicle. If you have really nasty interior glass, you will burn through more towels as each becomes loaded with grime, so you may need up to 6.
Coating Removal Towels –
This category is probably the most complex when it comes to choosing the right towel. As a rule of thumb, for coating removal you want a low pile and around 300 GSM to help cut through that initial residue and prevent pushing product around. When leveling, you use two towels, one for the initial wipe, a second for a final buff. To help with this, I like to have the same towel in two different colours, that way you easily remember which is which.
There are two ways to look at this. Considering these towels are best thrown into the rag pile after use, the dried coating will ruin your hard work in seconds if used on paint again, investing in expensive towels here is a fool’s game. On the other hand, using a cheap towel could compromise the finish you have spent hours perfecting. Which route you chose would depend on the paint you are dealing with. For soft Japanese paint, I would spend the extra on a pearl weave towel. For medium to hard paints, wheels, glass and trim, a cheaper terry weave towel will be just fine.
DFB’s Pick (Soft Paint) – TRC Edgeless Pearl
These are a 320-gsm pearl weave towel that are extremely efficient at coating removal. They are also available in grey, orange and green to help you colour-code their first/second wipe statis.
DFB’s Pick (Medium-Hard Paint) – TRC Edgeless 300
As the name suggests, this is a 300 GSM towel that balances a cost vs performance equation. These can be had for about $3.00 each compared to the $5.50 for the Edgeless Pearl.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Ultra Rip’n’Rag XL
These towels come in a roll of 50 for $99.95, which works out to be just on $2.00 a towel. That low cost doesn’t mean low quality because these are a pearl weave towel with 280 GSM and a 70/30 blend. In actual fact, this is probably the best balance between the two towels above.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 4 to 6 per vehicle depending on the coating and surface area treated. I would order a 10 or 12 pack of the Edgeless 300 or Edgeless Pearl for bulk price rates.
Wax/Sealant/Polish Removal Towels –
It took me a long time to figure this one out, but for polish and wax removal, a low pile towel is much more effective here. That can be hard deal with if you have soft paint, so my choices below mimic the coating removal category. Having sufficient quantity of these towels is important, a fresh, clean towel will be more efficient, so this allows you to swap them out more often.
DFB’s Pick (Medium-Hard Paint) – TRC Edgeless 365
As the name suggests, this is a 365 GSM, 70/30 blend towel. These terry-weave towels deliver a nice balance between a low pile without sacrificing quality.
DFB’s Pick (Soft Paint) – TRC Eagle Edgeless 350
Despite the lower 350 GSM rating, this plush towel is better suited to soft paint. The Eagle 350 is better suited to polish removal than the thicker Eagle Edgeless 500.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Creature Edgeless (Grey)
As a dual-pile towel, the Creature is basically two towels in one. In theory, having a set of these would negate the need for two separate towels to cater for soft and hard paint. At 420 GSM, they share the same 40cm x 40cm size of the two above.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 10, probably 15.
Interior Cleaning Towels –
In most cases, you want a lower pile terry-weave towel for interior cleaning purposes as they will better deal with cutting through grime. I also think you want a slightly larger rectangular towel here, especially when cleaning larger areas such as leather.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Car Wash Towel (Green)
These 80/20 320 GSM towels have been my go-to interiors for years now, they are perfectly sized at 41cm x 69cm and are also extremely durable. I’m using these to clean leather and plastics, wipe screens and instrument clusters, cleaning fabric and general wipe downs/dusting. Cost effective too.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Creature Edgeless (Green)
Another appearance of this towel, the plusher pile and higher 420 GSM makes it better suited for delicate surfaces such as piano-black gloss trims.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 10.
Rinse-less Washing Towels –
There are a few different ways to go about rinse-less washing, but I prefer the multiple towel or “Garry Dean Method”. For this role, you want a 40x40 square shape, which allows you to fold the towel to create eight different sides, which you flip and fold as each section becomes dirty. I also think you want plushness for this job, hence the two listed below.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Eagle Edgeless 500
This is one of the softest towels you will experience. Although they get a little heavy when saturated with rinse-less, they do provide less pressure points when guided by your hand. I also like the edgeless construction as it means you get the same surface no matter what section of the towel you use.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Platinum Pluffle 40cm x 40cm
These hybrid-weave towels were my original choice for rinse-less, and its certainly still a great option. The waffle weave element of these hybrid towels adds an extra layer of safety when rinse-less washing. Act fast, these towels have recently been discontinued.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – You will burn through these per vehicle. On a Falcon sedan or Mustang sized vehicle, I would use about 5 to 6 towels. So, I’d probably make that 12 or 6 per vehicle.
Beater / General Purpose / Dirty Job / Engine Bay Towel -
This is a towel you are going to hammer, so it needs to strike a blend between cost effectiveness while still being effective. One could say that a pack of basic towels from the hardware store or cheap shop would suit this role, but trust me here, I have done this in the past and they just never do the job well………. at all! In that I mean they are hydrophobic and end up working against you.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Car Wash Towel (Grey and Red)
I love this towel, its so versatile, so durable, big but not too big. I have been hammering a set of these for years now and they are still going strong. Yes, some have been sacrificed and replaced, but I’m shocked at how well these have done. I’m using this towel in grey for cleaning/dressing rubber floor mats, wiping down benches or dealing with anything dirtier than expected. In red, this is my engine bay towel. At about $4.00 per towel, they are reasonably priced while still delivering a decent 320 GSM.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Rip ‘n’ Rag
The concept of a dispenser box of towels has been around for a while, but the TRC offering takes that up a notch. While these can be washed and reused, at 0.65c per towel, they are can be disposed of at low cost. A 70/30 blend in 30cm x 30cm size and 180 GSM, these are great for metal polishing, oil changes, spill control and can be sacrificed in the name of adhesive and tar removal.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 10 (Car Wash Towel) or a 80-pack (Rip ‘n’ Rag).
Applicators -
Available in multiple sizes and shapes, applicators are used for tyre dressing, polishing, waxing, trim dressing, glass cleaning, leather care and interior dressing. For the most part, these are pretty universal, at the moment I have been using TRC Pearl Applicators, and the Eagle Applicators are great for delicate surfaces.
Ceramic Coating Applicators -
Another subjective category. The original block and suede method is still favored by some, but most use microfiber applicator bricks, me included. Having said that, having some of the suedes on hand can come in handy for intricate areas.
Notes
How do I differentiate what towel does what?
Colour and labelling. Try choosing a colour that you associate a task with and pair towels to that task. For example, using green for interiors, blue for engine bays, black for wheels…......You will find over time grabbing the correct towel for each job will become second nature.
How do I care for microfiber towels?
A quality microfiber specific detergent is highly recommended to clean your towels properly and safely. Using these detergents helps strip away modern automotive products such as Si02 infused sealants, in turn prolonging their useful life.
For a more comprehensive guide to microfiber care, check out the following thread –
Microfiber Towel Care | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com
You will note I have not linked products for this thread. Considering the reach of countries this forum has, it would have taken me as long to make all those links as it did to write this thread. The majority of the towels above are available the usual detailing retailers, but you can also get The Rag Company products direct or via their Amazon page. Microfiber Madness is carried by Sky's The Limit (US) or Prime Finish (AUS).
US Links -
The Rag Company | Premium Microfiber and Car Detailing Supplies
Microfiber Towels for Cars | Microfiber Detailing Towels (carpro-us.com)
AUS Links -
Shop Microfibre Online - CarCareCo
Exterior - Detailing Shed
- Microfibre - – Prime Finish Car Care
One of the biggest advancements in the detailing world over the last 10 to 15 years has been the massive increase in the towels we use to clean our cars. With so many microfiber towels on the market from a variety of different brands, it can be hard to know what to buy.
Knowing which towel to choose for each detailing task is something that takes time to perfect. Choosing a weave type and GSM to suit each task will save you time and improve the finished result. This thread is aimed at those looking to have the right towel for each and every detailing job, allowing you to skip the trial-and-error stage.
But first, let’s look at the basics, an important factor when choosing towels.
Microfiber 101
What is GSM?
Grams Per Square Meter. This relates to weight or density of the towel fibers, not necessarily the thickness or plushness.
What is the blend?
The blend refers to the ratio of Polyester and Polyamide for each towel. The Polyester provides the cleaning ability, the Polyamide provides softness and absorbency.
What is the weave?
This describes the length (pile) and shape of each individual fiber (weave). Again, different detailing tasks require different pile/weave designs. Some weaves include –
Plush Pile –
These towels have long fibers on both sides, providing a cushion between the towel and the surface by reducing the pressure points of your hand.
Pro’s – Plush towels are usually softest feeling of the bunch and are best for delicate surfaces, like soft paint or piano-black gloss trims.
Con’s – In some cases, the long soft fibers don’t provide sufficient “bite” for cleaning duties. These towels are not always ideal for drying as the fibers can create excessive friction and drag when wet.
Dual Pile –
As the name suggests, these towels have a low pile on one side and high pile on the other.
Pro’s – Versatile, these towels strike a balance between cleaning ability and softness for delicate surfaces. The plusher side is ideal for spray sealants and polish removal on softer paints. The shorter side suited to heavy compound removal or interior cleaning.
Con’s – Jack of all trades, master of none?
Twist Loop / Twist Pile –
These towels have loops of fibre that are bundled and twisted in a double helix pattern. A twist pile weave increases the surface area of the material, which in turn improves absorbency and smoothness when wet.
Pro’s – High absorbency and reduced friction when wet makes these ideally suited for drying. They are great for glass too due to the density.
Con’s – Grabby when dry and expensive to make/purchase.
Closed-loop / Pearl-Weave –
Pearl weave towels have a tight weave and a low closed-loop pile.
Pro’s - The low pile makes these great for biting through compound, polish and wax removal. They are also an effective coating removal towel, and can be used for glass cleaning. Softer than Twist Loop.
Con’s – While soft feeling, closed-loop towels tend to be more aggressive than their plush counterparts. More expensive.
Waffle Weave –
Waffle-weave is the original car drying microfiber towel. With no pile, they have a crosshatch pattern of low and high sections, the ridges creating a squeegee effect across the surface. Despite the lack of pile, they are super absorbent.
Pro’s – The waffle weave pattern helps reduce contact with the surface, in effect making it glide with less friction. Ideal for drying or glass cleaning duties. Low/no linting.
Con’s – Not the best for softer paints. More expensive to make/buy.
Hybrid Weave –
As the name suggests, these towels combine two different weave types to create a best of both worlds. For example, the TRC Gauntlet combines the high water absorption of a twist-loop towel with the smoothness and lack of grabbiness of a plush weave towel. Or the TRC Platinum Pluffle, which combines the softness of a plush weave with the absorbency of a waffle weave.
Pro's - High water absorption and smoothness across the paint.
Con's - Expensive to make/buy.
Diamond Weave –
Specifically designed for glass, a diamond pattern towel mimics a waffle weave in having reduced surface area for a smoother, less grabby feel.
Pro’s – Reduced drag and easier wiping across glass. They can also be great on polished metals. Low/no linting.
Con’s – Limited use, lack of versatility.
Terry Weave –
The most common and most versatile type of microfiber, terry weave towels are also what most think of when the word “microfiber” is mentioned. Not to be confused with cotton terry towels (remember those?), terry weave towels have open ended fibers that are bundled in small groups. With so many “fingers”, it makes them ideal for cleaning duties. The most common and most identifiable type of microfiber, terry weave are generally low pile towels.
Pro’s – Terry weave towels are cost effective and decently absorbent. They are great for interior cleaning, exterior dirty jobs, metal polishing, coating removal, polish and wax removal. Low linting.
Con’s – Can sometimes mean a cheap and nasty towel, choose wisely.
Suede –
An ultra-low pile with a completely smooth and soft feel, suede towels have minimal use in detailing.
Pro’s – The short pile makes them lint free and ideally suited for cleaning instrument clusters and screens or used to apply ceramic coatings.
Con’s – Limited use.
Chenille –
Some like these, some don’t. Chenille is generally used in wash mitts and pads and are recognized by the bundles of microfiber “fingers”. With so many “fingers”, these have a high surface area to improve cleaning efficiency.
Pro’s – Ideally suited to exterior washing of bodywork and wheels. The material used in these wash mitts is highly suited to being fully wet.
Con’s – Some suggestion that they are not as safe as other types of wash media.
Pairing Towels to Specific Tasks
It’s taken me years to arrive at the following list. It’s worth noting that towels can be very subjective and personal, so use this listing as guide to get you started or what to look for.
Most of my towels are from The Rag Company (TRC), with a couple from Microfiber Madness. You will notice some duplication here, with colour used to differentiate towels into usages. Where I have specified a colour, this has been done to provide differentiation where the same towel serves dual roles. I probably have a lot of unnecessary categories here, so pick and choose those that are relevant to your needs.
Wash Media (Mitts, Pads) –
Personally, I hate wash mitts and much prefer a wash pad, but I know that is subjective. After trying many different formats and brands, these are what I have settled on –
DFB’ Pick – TRC Cyclone Ultra
Any of the TRC wash mitts and pads are great, but the Ultra line is their softest and safest of the bunch. These are available in four different formats; mini-mitt (wheels), regular mitt, regular pad and the 10x extra-large pad. Personally, I use the regular size pad on passenger vehicles, the 10x for larger SUV’s and pickups. The wheel mitt is excellent too.
DFB’s Wildcard – Microfiber Madness Deli-Pad/Mitt
Available in mitt or pad, this is an excellent option for softer, more delicate paint. The Deli-Pad and Mitt are thinner than expected, but much plusher and softer feeling.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least one per vehicle.
More on wash media here -
Wash Media: Mitts, Sponges & Pads | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com
Drying Towels (Large) –
This is probably one of the most subjective towel categories. Some prefer the lack of bulk and extreme absorbency of a twist-loop, some like that ultra soft padded feel of a plush towel, some favour the smoothness of a waffle weave. For me, the ideal drying towel combines all of those attributes.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Gauntlet
Available in several sizes, I prefer the medium as it’s more than big enough for most vehicles without becoming a bulky pain in the neck. I like these towels because they combine the absorbance of a twist-loop towel, but the softness and smoothness across the paint of waffle weave and plush towels. 700 GSM and a 70/30 blend made in Korea.
DFB’s Wildcard – Waxit Tempest or Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy
Considering my dislike of twist-loop, it was hard to make a suggestion here. Prior to the Gauntlet, I was using something like the NV Tempest or Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy. These are ultra plush 1000 - 1200 GSM towels that are thicker than most modern towels, but the feel of plushness gives an impression of safeness.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least one per vehicle.
Drying Aid Towels (Small) –
When using a blower of some kind to remove the bulk of the water, you really don’t need a big drying towel to finish the job. In this instance, I prefer a smaller square shaped towel, 40cm x 40cm in particular.
DFB’s Pick - Microfiber Madness Chipmunk Jr.
This is a towel TRC don’t currently make, as in a 40x40 version of the amazing hybrid weave Gauntlet. Enter Microfiber Madness! I landed on this towel after trying a variety of potential candidates, most disappointing for drying aid use. This towel has just the right combination of bulk, plushness and water absorbency.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC FTW
While I have a number of these for drying aid duty, I find the twist-loop FTW a touch grabby for my liking. That opinion is subjective, some really like them for this role. Worth a look, just know it will be on the grabbier side.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 4, or two per vehicle.
Wheel Towel -
Probably a useless addition, especially if you are blow drying, but I still like to give wheels a final wipe down after dressing the tyres. Because of the closeness to the floor, I think you need a smaller than average towel to avoid dragging it across the ground.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Gauntlet (30cm x 30cm)
I know this is probably too nice of a towel to subject to this task, but me, this is one of those towels that suits its job so well. It’s perfectly sized and perfectly weighted to work between the wheel spokes without excessive bulk or change of dragging on the ground or on the tyre. One of my favorite towels.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Creature Edgeless (Black)
This is a hard choice because of how transcendent the Gauntlet is at this task. I settled on the Creature because of its 420 GSM, dual-pile versatility, size and relative cost effectiveness. You could also do the Spectrum, which is a edged version of the Creature, but the edgeless is easier to manage.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 2, or 2 per vehicle.
Door Jamb Drying –
I know, I know, another category, but one I personally believe in. Depending on how dirty these are on your vehicle, you can probably get away with using your normal drying aid or large drying towel. But for dirtier applications, I tend to favour a separate waffle weave towel.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Dry Me A River (Light Blue)
I have these in the 40cm x 60cm and 50cm x 100cm sizes to cover different vehicle sizes. Even the small 40cm x 40cm would be great too. The lack of bulk with these towels makes them ideal for getting into these space restricted areas.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Platinum Pluffle 40cm x 40cm
This towel is perfectly sized and incredibly soft, perfect for well-maintained cars or softer paints. Get them while you can, this towel is soon to be discontinued.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 2 per vehicle.
Glass Towels –
For glass, you need a dense, low pile towel to limit streaking and linting. There are a variety of glass-specific towels, but I’ve settled on waffle weave.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Dry Me A River
TRC make a variety of waffle weave towels, but their premium DMAR is the best for glass. In particular, you want the 16x24 version. I’ve found these to be the smoothest and easiest towel to clean glass.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC FTW
While I listed this towel as a drying aid towel, it was originally designed for glass, FTW means “for the windows” or “for the win”. The lower pile and high density makes them a great choice for glass.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 4, two per vehicle. If you have really nasty interior glass, you will burn through more towels as each becomes loaded with grime, so you may need up to 6.
Coating Removal Towels –
This category is probably the most complex when it comes to choosing the right towel. As a rule of thumb, for coating removal you want a low pile and around 300 GSM to help cut through that initial residue and prevent pushing product around. When leveling, you use two towels, one for the initial wipe, a second for a final buff. To help with this, I like to have the same towel in two different colours, that way you easily remember which is which.
There are two ways to look at this. Considering these towels are best thrown into the rag pile after use, the dried coating will ruin your hard work in seconds if used on paint again, investing in expensive towels here is a fool’s game. On the other hand, using a cheap towel could compromise the finish you have spent hours perfecting. Which route you chose would depend on the paint you are dealing with. For soft Japanese paint, I would spend the extra on a pearl weave towel. For medium to hard paints, wheels, glass and trim, a cheaper terry weave towel will be just fine.
DFB’s Pick (Soft Paint) – TRC Edgeless Pearl
These are a 320-gsm pearl weave towel that are extremely efficient at coating removal. They are also available in grey, orange and green to help you colour-code their first/second wipe statis.
DFB’s Pick (Medium-Hard Paint) – TRC Edgeless 300
As the name suggests, this is a 300 GSM towel that balances a cost vs performance equation. These can be had for about $3.00 each compared to the $5.50 for the Edgeless Pearl.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Ultra Rip’n’Rag XL
These towels come in a roll of 50 for $99.95, which works out to be just on $2.00 a towel. That low cost doesn’t mean low quality because these are a pearl weave towel with 280 GSM and a 70/30 blend. In actual fact, this is probably the best balance between the two towels above.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 4 to 6 per vehicle depending on the coating and surface area treated. I would order a 10 or 12 pack of the Edgeless 300 or Edgeless Pearl for bulk price rates.
Wax/Sealant/Polish Removal Towels –
It took me a long time to figure this one out, but for polish and wax removal, a low pile towel is much more effective here. That can be hard deal with if you have soft paint, so my choices below mimic the coating removal category. Having sufficient quantity of these towels is important, a fresh, clean towel will be more efficient, so this allows you to swap them out more often.
DFB’s Pick (Medium-Hard Paint) – TRC Edgeless 365
As the name suggests, this is a 365 GSM, 70/30 blend towel. These terry-weave towels deliver a nice balance between a low pile without sacrificing quality.
DFB’s Pick (Soft Paint) – TRC Eagle Edgeless 350
Despite the lower 350 GSM rating, this plush towel is better suited to soft paint. The Eagle 350 is better suited to polish removal than the thicker Eagle Edgeless 500.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Creature Edgeless (Grey)
As a dual-pile towel, the Creature is basically two towels in one. In theory, having a set of these would negate the need for two separate towels to cater for soft and hard paint. At 420 GSM, they share the same 40cm x 40cm size of the two above.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 10, probably 15.
Interior Cleaning Towels –
In most cases, you want a lower pile terry-weave towel for interior cleaning purposes as they will better deal with cutting through grime. I also think you want a slightly larger rectangular towel here, especially when cleaning larger areas such as leather.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Car Wash Towel (Green)
These 80/20 320 GSM towels have been my go-to interiors for years now, they are perfectly sized at 41cm x 69cm and are also extremely durable. I’m using these to clean leather and plastics, wipe screens and instrument clusters, cleaning fabric and general wipe downs/dusting. Cost effective too.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Creature Edgeless (Green)
Another appearance of this towel, the plusher pile and higher 420 GSM makes it better suited for delicate surfaces such as piano-black gloss trims.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 10.
Rinse-less Washing Towels –
There are a few different ways to go about rinse-less washing, but I prefer the multiple towel or “Garry Dean Method”. For this role, you want a 40x40 square shape, which allows you to fold the towel to create eight different sides, which you flip and fold as each section becomes dirty. I also think you want plushness for this job, hence the two listed below.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Eagle Edgeless 500
This is one of the softest towels you will experience. Although they get a little heavy when saturated with rinse-less, they do provide less pressure points when guided by your hand. I also like the edgeless construction as it means you get the same surface no matter what section of the towel you use.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Platinum Pluffle 40cm x 40cm
These hybrid-weave towels were my original choice for rinse-less, and its certainly still a great option. The waffle weave element of these hybrid towels adds an extra layer of safety when rinse-less washing. Act fast, these towels have recently been discontinued.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – You will burn through these per vehicle. On a Falcon sedan or Mustang sized vehicle, I would use about 5 to 6 towels. So, I’d probably make that 12 or 6 per vehicle.
Beater / General Purpose / Dirty Job / Engine Bay Towel -
This is a towel you are going to hammer, so it needs to strike a blend between cost effectiveness while still being effective. One could say that a pack of basic towels from the hardware store or cheap shop would suit this role, but trust me here, I have done this in the past and they just never do the job well………. at all! In that I mean they are hydrophobic and end up working against you.
DFB’s Pick – TRC Car Wash Towel (Grey and Red)
I love this towel, its so versatile, so durable, big but not too big. I have been hammering a set of these for years now and they are still going strong. Yes, some have been sacrificed and replaced, but I’m shocked at how well these have done. I’m using this towel in grey for cleaning/dressing rubber floor mats, wiping down benches or dealing with anything dirtier than expected. In red, this is my engine bay towel. At about $4.00 per towel, they are reasonably priced while still delivering a decent 320 GSM.
DFB’s Wildcard – TRC Rip ‘n’ Rag
The concept of a dispenser box of towels has been around for a while, but the TRC offering takes that up a notch. While these can be washed and reused, at 0.65c per towel, they are can be disposed of at low cost. A 70/30 blend in 30cm x 30cm size and 180 GSM, these are great for metal polishing, oil changes, spill control and can be sacrificed in the name of adhesive and tar removal.
DFB’s Suggested Quantity – At least 10 (Car Wash Towel) or a 80-pack (Rip ‘n’ Rag).
Applicators -
Available in multiple sizes and shapes, applicators are used for tyre dressing, polishing, waxing, trim dressing, glass cleaning, leather care and interior dressing. For the most part, these are pretty universal, at the moment I have been using TRC Pearl Applicators, and the Eagle Applicators are great for delicate surfaces.
Ceramic Coating Applicators -
Another subjective category. The original block and suede method is still favored by some, but most use microfiber applicator bricks, me included. Having said that, having some of the suedes on hand can come in handy for intricate areas.
Notes
How do I differentiate what towel does what?
Colour and labelling. Try choosing a colour that you associate a task with and pair towels to that task. For example, using green for interiors, blue for engine bays, black for wheels…......You will find over time grabbing the correct towel for each job will become second nature.
How do I care for microfiber towels?
A quality microfiber specific detergent is highly recommended to clean your towels properly and safely. Using these detergents helps strip away modern automotive products such as Si02 infused sealants, in turn prolonging their useful life.
For a more comprehensive guide to microfiber care, check out the following thread –
Microfiber Towel Care | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com
You will note I have not linked products for this thread. Considering the reach of countries this forum has, it would have taken me as long to make all those links as it did to write this thread. The majority of the towels above are available the usual detailing retailers, but you can also get The Rag Company products direct or via their Amazon page. Microfiber Madness is carried by Sky's The Limit (US) or Prime Finish (AUS).
US Links -
The Rag Company | Premium Microfiber and Car Detailing Supplies
Microfiber Towels for Cars | Microfiber Detailing Towels (carpro-us.com)
AUS Links -
Shop Microfibre Online - CarCareCo
Exterior - Detailing Shed
- Microfibre - – Prime Finish Car Care
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