Wash Mitt Battle

[vaca22]

Let me first start off by saying that before I knew any better, last year I picked up a "microfiber" wash mitt from AutoZone or wherever and realized that as soon as I dunked it in water, the mitt only had very few fibers covering the surface. The mitt looked like it had these dreadlocks, but once wet you could tell they were spaced far apart and really didn't provide good surface area coverage.

So, I found a wool mitt that I had kicking around. It wasn't even new, but I always take care of my stuff. Fast forward to this past week, and I washed my wife's CX-5 using this old mitt and ONLY a single bucket. After wiping each panel I would, however, rinse the mitt off with the hose so as to simulate a 2-bucket method.

I was CERTAIN I would be installing a little bit of micro marring. But after inspecting the car for a few days in various light conditions I can confidently say I am surprised and shocked at that I did NOT mess the paint up.

Which leads me to post this. These wool mitts seemed to have worked for me very well in the past, and even now. It's what I used on my old Mazda3 which was flawless, and back then I don't think I was using a 2-bucket method at all.

What are you all using as wash media? Are any of you fans of the wool, or has microfiber been your weapon of choice?

[Desertnate]

The microfiber chenille, a.k.a dreadlocks, mitt has been my weapon of choice for a long time. No issues with them and I've bought them from a variety of places over the years.

[John U]

I have a number of the chenille "dreadlocks" but they just don't slide over the surface as effortlessly as the cotton chenille I get at Ace.

I recently found what I've been looking for for wheels. Chemical Guys added a fluffy wash glove at allows me to get in and around the spokes of my chrome wheels easily.

73025

[2black1s]

I'm a wool pad guy... Never understood the mitt thing. Even if I have a mitt I use it like a pad.

As for the microfiber, I never liked the looks of those dreadlocks and don't see how they can provide as uniform coverage as a wool pad.

And to the OP, it doesn't surprise me at all that you can't find any marring from your wash job. Unless you use a really contaminated wash media, the typical marring from washing occurs over a long period of time and several washes, not in a single wash.

[vaca22]

I'm a wool pad guy... Never understood the mitt thing. Even if I have a mitt I use it like a pad.

I'm with you on that, I do the same thing without realizing it; I never stuck my hand in it to use as a mitt.

[DUBL0WS6]

I'm wondering if Chemical Guys pay Billy Joel royalties for that mitt, LOL

[Bill D]

I have SO many wool mitts it’s nuts. I have them labeled as to which part of the car I wash with and I ALWAYS use multiple mitts and my extreme wash method.

Once my wool mitts wear away I will go microfiber because an impressive video I saw showed how great they really are. I wish I had the link saved but it has been posted here before.

[BillyJack]

Personally, my favorite is the white Meguiars MF mitt. It's thick enough to be safe and releases dirt more easily than any other one I've tried. I also have one of the Griot's MF mitts. It's much thicker MF nap, but it's gray in color, so dirt doesn't show as well, which is a negative for me, doing mostly rinseless washes. The Blackfire mitt is another good one, but it doesn't release light dirt as easily as the Megs.
Back around 2011-2012, when Megs released their D114 Rinseless Wash, a few of the Meguiars guys did a presentation with Mike Phillips at AG and I remember them saying the mitt was designed with a weave that traps dirt, but releases it easily also.
I've found that to be true and both my cars are dark colors one Black DD and my Burgundy Camino.

Bill

[Bill D]

Here’s the video I was referring to

WASH MITTS!! Which Are The BEST? Let's Find Out!! - YouTube (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0pfRZ9mjq8)

[PaulMys]

The microfiber chenille, a.k.a dreadlocks, mitt has been my weapon of choice for a long time. No issues with them and I've bought them from a variety of places over the years.

Agree 100%, Nate.

I have never had one issue with the "noodle" or "dredlock" mitts. And they are cheap enough that I can use them for one season, then demote them to wheel duty without regret..... ;)

[fly07sti]

I agree with BillyJack. My personal all around favorite is the Meg’s MF wash mitt. Ot too thin nor too thick. They wash up easy and just feel good when in use. I really like quality wool mitts but are a PITA to maintain. If I only had a couple of cars to take care of, it wouldn’t be an issue. As far as the noodle mitts, I have tried them many times over the years and I really dislike them. They just don’t seem to do a great job IMO.

[PaulMys]

As far as the noodle mitts, I have tried them many times over the years and I really dislike them. They just don’t seem to do a great job IMO.

And this is what makes the forum great IMO. (And maybe a bit confusing for newbies).

Different opinions on different products.

:cheers:

[Bill D]

I miss the days when one could get wool mitts locally. I used to pick them like fruit, selecting only the softest I could find

[psnt1ol]

I agree with BillyJack. My personal all around favorite is the Meg’s MF wash mitt. Ot too thin nor too thick. They wash up easy and just feel good when in use. I really like quality wool mitts but are a PITA to maintain. If I only had a couple of cars to take care of, it wouldn’t be an issue. As far as the noodle mitts, I have tried them many times over the years and I really dislike them. They just don’t seem to do a great job IMO.

I used a wool mitt (DoDo juice Wookie fist) years ago when I had my black BMW E90. That paint system was a nightmare. It would get scratch if I sneeze on it. It was the only mitt that didnt marred that paint at that time. And yes.... maintenance of the mitt was a bit of a chore..... I had to hand wash it, air dry it and brush it out every time after use to prevent matting.

Since then, I used Microfiber Madness and it is just as good as the wool without the all the work.

I still use those noodle thing but only on hammered paint that I will be working on.... especially on lower body panels and bumpers. Never for a maintenance wash.

[Coatingsarecrack]

I'm wondering if Chemical Guys pay Billy Joel royalties for that mitt, LOL

I was thinkin something totally different.....


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