Costco microfiber towels?

[tdekany]

FTFY. :xyxthumbs:

Love it!!!

 

[VP Mark]

Guys I used to he one of those cheap towels work just as good as nice ones guys.

I was wrong.

Cheap towels work great on interiors, door jambs, tires, wheels, and engine bays.

Nice towels make an amazing difference on windows and paint. It really is day and night.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online

 

[lyodbraun]

:close1::close1:Ok I think the towel issues have been beaten to death now, I think it's time to close this thread it's a dead end who cares what towel is the best... They all do a job and if one is greater than the other than ok ... :close1:

 

[AaronC]

lol, Just to add they work great on paint, ive used it for the last year and so far no complaints.

 

[Harry Da Hamster]

In this case, you get what you pay for.

Quite the opposite. Costco towels cost less than $0.50 each. They're not the best but far from the worst. I'd consider them above average from all the microfiber towels I've seen. It shows how much markup are on these towels. Is it worth paying 10 times more for something with slightly better nap and a nicer border? I don't think so.

Nothing else really to say. I have both Costco and name brand towels. I have a car with the softest of the softest clear coat. And they give me no problems.

To answer the comment about using a cheap microfiber towel on a high end machine, I'm all about value and quality but not about over paying and paying for what I don't need or for something with no appreciable difference in its end result. Costco towels are high value and good quality

 

[tdekany]

:close1::close1:Ok I think the towel issues have been beaten to death now, I think it's time to close this thread it's a dead end who cares what towel is the best... They all do a job and if one is greater than the other than ok ... :close1:

Are you forgetting that you are on a detailing site? You should care.

Otherwise, why even be here? If your goal is a swirl free finish, you better pay attention to what works.

 

[cardaddy]

i guess I can just use these costco towels I already bought for everything except the paint (seems to be the consensus on what their good for). i was hoping not to have to spend a lot for towels but it looks like I will need to.

On a budget can I get away with 3 nicer towels for use on paint?

It's not that you CAN'T use them just that you have to be MUCH more careful.

As long as you're careful, and don't contaminate (and cross contaminate) your towels, then yes, just a few of the nice ones will work very well. Check out the selection at Microfiber Tech and call Ian with any questions. He has done a TON of homework into what works, and what doesn't. I've yet to find anything he sells that isn't both as good or better than anything else out there, and at a MUCH better price.

Mmmmm. Is the Porsche black that soft? Are you straight black or one of the Metallics?
I have a 2013 aqua blue boxster and I have never noticed any swirls on the paint (to be fair, half the car is covered in Xpel).
The wife is in the market for a cayenne or Macan, she looooooves black.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is stick butter soft? Personally I can't stand it, otoh it corrects really well. Just takes more to finish it down. Then again, that could be taken as it actually works easier than hard paint, yet hazes/micro-mars reeeeeeaaaalllly easily in the compounding stage. (And BOY does it swirl easy.)

I have to agree about the quality of microfiber.

:whs: As long as we're talking about 'quality' and not COST! Paying ten bucks for a towel is just madness when you realize the same towel can be had for less than half that. Jus' sayin'.....

I'm not saying the Costco towels aren't good, but just not as good as the Cobra towels.

That's like comparing apples to oranges. Not really thinking anyone is comparing Cobra's to Costco's. :dunno:

....but I would only use the towels I bought from AG on on my paint or on the windows.

Couldn't agree more. The price of AG towels alone ASSURE that you don't waste those hard earned dollars on jambs, under the hood, and exhaust tips.

I ran across some really thin almost suede type towels at Big Lots that are one of my favorite glass towels to date. Hard to use anything on final wipe stages that has any nap to it. Nothing worse than "micro lint". :xyxthumbs:

Costco microfiber towels are excellent.

OMG!!! Them thar' is fighting words in these here parts pardner.:argue:

Youse betta' look both ways before steppin' outside now bud.

Talk about a way to find your car polished with a Scotchbrite pad!oke:

OTOH...... :joking:
It's all good.

 

[tdekany]

Quite the opposite. Costco towels cost less than $0.50 each. They're not the best but far from the worst. I'd consider them above average from all the microfiber towels I've seen. It shows how much markup are on these towels. Is it worth paying 10 times more for something with slightly better nap and a nicer border? I don't think so.

Nothing else really to say. I have both Costco and name brand towels. I have a car with the softest of the softest clear coat. And they give me no problems.

To answer the comment about using a cheap microfiber towel on a high end machine, I'm all about value and quality but not about over paying and paying for what I don't need or for something with no appreciable difference in its end result. Costco towels are high value and good quality

If your paint is metallic, you do not have the softest paint. If you do not see and feel the difference between a quality towel AGO sells vs Costco, there is nothing we can say to you.

 

[stilltipping3]

I bought a few of those really soft and fluffy grey towels with a slight harder side for wax removal and the really fluffy side for buffing from Wallyworld. About $6-7 for two pack. I think those are nice and work really well and u can feel and see how they are and what ur getting up front. Has any1 else used these. I like them for otc purchases.

 

[Harry Da Hamster]

If your paint is metallic, you do not have the softest paint. If you do not see and feel the difference between a quality towel AGO sells vs Costco, there is nothing we can say to you.

Why would a metallic or non-metallic base-coat affect clear-coat hardness? Do you really know what you're talking about?

 

[Harry Da Hamster]

If you do not see and feel the difference between a quality towel AGO sells vs Costco, there is nothing we can say to you.

Please stop exaggerating and putting words in my mouth to get your point across. I just quoted every post i made on this topic and you tell me when i said they looked and felt the same...

I haven't noticed scratching on my super duper soft black 2013 Porsche Cayenne. Maybe cause i'm no longer obsessive about swirls and i've come to the realization that the paint will never be 100% perfect.


No tags is a good selling point. Other than that, how do the Sams Club MF towels look/feel/perform compared to the Kirklands?

True dat. Name brand microfiber towels are super expensive. Microfiber towels are like the HDMI cable of TVs and Home Theater systems, they're 100% necessary if you want the best quality audio and video output but they have huge markup and highly profitable for the retailer. Compare Best Buy and Monoprice and see what i'm saying.

I thought outfitting my home with new expensive matching name brand bath towels was expensive, they're not even close compared to buying a full set and backups of name brand microfiber towels. Microfiber towels are very temperamental and need to be thrown away or delegated to lesser tasks if they pick up too much crap. It's nice to know quality towels are available that are so cheap i consider them disposable.

I have the softest of the soft black paint on my 2013 Porsche Cayenne. I don't notice scratching. I always make sure there's some sort of lubrication between towel and paint such an ONR, QD, or Wax.

I deleted that post after i read the post you were quoting. :xyxthumbs:

Cheap doesn't mean low quality. IMO Costco MF towels are much better quality than a lot of the crap that's available at a much higher price.

Are those Eurow towels?

I own approximately a dozen Pakshak Microfiber towels and i think they're phenomenal and some of the best money can buy. I still use them, but just not as often now that i have a quality disposable towel.

They're not as nice but far from bad quality.

It's the combination of super soft paint and the black color. I have Jet Black Metallic. The standard black is worse at marring. Check the color chips (which are painted with the same paint at the vehicles) at the dealership

Quite the opposite. Costco towels cost less than $0.50 each. They're not the best but far from the worst. I'd consider them above average from all the microfiber towels I've seen. It shows how much markup are on these towels. Is it worth paying 10 times more for something with slightly better nap and a nicer border? I don't think so.

Nothing else really to say. I have both Costco and name brand towels. I have a car with the softest of the softest clear coat. And they give me no problems.

To answer the comment about using a cheap microfiber towel on a high end machine, I'm all about value and quality but not about over paying and paying for what I don't need or for something with no appreciable difference in its end result. Costco towels are high value and good quality

 

[tdekany]

Why would a metallic or non-metallic base-coat affect clear-coat hardness? Do you really know what you're talking about?

PS: Hardness has nothing to do with it. ALL clear is extremely hard. Do you realize what would happen if clear coats were "soft"?

Solid colors mar easier. White, blue, red, black green eyc.. all look worse than metallic ones.

Sounds like that you refuse to learn.

If you do not know that solid colors mar easier than metallic ones, it is you who doesn't know what you are talking about. Sorry mister.

I am a pro detailer, (over 10 years) I would think that I have a little more actual experience with paint, since all I do is paint corrections.

Remind me again, what is it that you do to question my experience?

Go to a BMW dealership, and look at jet black paint - if you want to talk about soft paint. Take a flashlight, and see how any of those cars look. Now compare those to any sapphire black finishes at the same lot, or any lot.

Of course you don't have to go to BMW, but since you falsely assume that your paint is soft, check out a JB BMW. Now that finish will mar like no other.

So you see, I don't just "make" up stuff, what I tell you comes from years of experience (upto 70 hour paint correction jobs) but it seems, that with you it is a pattern.

1 - a 50 cent towel is as good as a $5.00 towel, your metallic black paint is the softest etc....

Anyway, I am done, if you refuse to learn (that is why I come here, read a lot most nights), it is fine with me, but I ask you to think before you accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about. rops:

 

[swanicyouth]

All I can add ( not like anyone cares ) is I started out with Costco towels years ago and thought they were pretty sweet. Then I got some better towels, and the Costco ones will never touch paint again. My time (and energy) is worth too much to me to use anything that may be questionable.

This is the same reason I use Citrus Red and not Dawn for a strong wash. Its also the same reason I don't clean my paint with any APC not deemed safe for paint by the manufacturer. I guess if you don't possess the resources to get nice towels, using a cheap MF towel is better than using an old grease rag.

Now I'm at the point where I can't really see buying any towels that aren't from Microfiber Madness. Not because all other towels scratch, just because I know for a fact those towels don't and won't. They also just have that subjective quality feel you can't quite put your finger on.

I guess if I was detailing an '89 Tempo I might just use Costco towels on the paint. But my mind is boggled by people who invest the time and energy to learn all about detailing, and who have the means to buy nice stuff (drive $$$ cars) , and who still won't pay 30 bucks for a few towels.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I bought some costco towels years back and they were far from "great" towels, and I never really used them for paint too much. I did see some of these kirkland branded towels recently at costco and bough some to try out, they were much softer than the old costco towels.

I have a TON of high end microfiber towels that I use for paint, but out of curiosity, I washed, dried and tried some of the Kirkland towels on the fender of a black Porsche we corrected to see if they would scratch/mar the finish, as suspected, nope, same on a jet black BMW. If for some reason I were in a pinch and some masked maniac microfiber thief stole all my good microfiber towels, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Costco "Kirkland" towels. But that's just me because I know the results I have gotten first hand with them. To each his own.

 

[Kacz]

PS: Hardness has nothing to do with it. ALL clear is extremely hard. Do you realize what would happen if clear coats were "soft"?

Solid colors mar easier. White, blue, red, black green eyc.. all look worse than metallic ones.

Sounds like that you refuse to learn.

If you do not know that solid colors mar easier than metallic ones, it is you who doesn't know what you are talking about. Sorry mister.

I am a pro detailer, (over 10 years) I would think that I have a little more actual experience with paint, since all I do is paint corrections.

Remind me again, what is it that you do to question my experience?

Go to a BMW dealership, and look at jet black paint - if you want to talk about soft paint. Take a flashlight, and see how any of those cars look. Now compare those to any sapphire black finishes at the same lot, or any lot.

Of course you don't have to go to BMW, but since you falsely assume that your paint is soft, check out a JB BMW. Now that finish will mar like no other.

So you see, I don't just "make" up stuff, what I tell you comes from years of experience (upto 70 hour paint correction jobs) but it seems, that with you it is a pattern.

1 - a 50 cent towel is as good as a $5.00 towel, your metallic black paint is the softest etc....

Anyway, I am done, if you refuse to learn (that is why I come here, read a lot most nights), it is fine with me, but I ask you to think before you accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about. rops:

Marring on a solid base coat has nothing to do with it being softer than metallic base coats. It's simply the fact that it's hidden better by metallic base coats.

Besides that's quite a generalization given the fact that manufactures sometimes use different clear coats at different locations for the same exact color code across their line of cars.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying...

By the way: being a "pro" has nothing to do with knowledge and just because you work on 100+ cars a year doesn't mean you know everything. People like me who don't even have the time to work on one car a month sometimes might, just might be able to make one phone call and have a nice dinner with say a BMW corporate trainer, DM, RM or engineer and gain some knowledge...just saying (Or Land Rover, MB, Lexus, Jeep, etc...well you get the point )

Or a KPA or EPA associate. Working on X amount of cars or having 2723837 years as a detailer sometimes gets to people's heads IMO.

They're just towels...let people use them if they want. Yes, I have tested and they mar a black jeep (solid color); they also mar my Subaru and Cadillac (both metallic, you just can't see it as easy).

 

[tdekany]

I almost missed this post of yours.

Please stop exaggerating and putting words in my mouth to get your point across. I just quoted every post i made on this topic and you tell me when i said they looked and felt the same...

Here you go!

\/ \/ \/

I have both Costco and name brand towels. I have a car with the softest of the softest clear coat. And they give me no problems.

Then you say this:

I have the softest of the soft black paint on my 2013 Porsche Cayenne. I don't notice scratching.

However reading this, (I missed it initially)

i'm no longer obsessive about swirls and i've come to the realization that the paint will never be 100% perfect.

(you CAN have a 100% swirl free finish btw)

How would you even know if your costco towels scratch or not if you don't have a swirl free finish? To tell you the truth, you should have not commented in this thread. Obviously SOMETHING is swirling up your paint. Either you you don't know how to properly wipe, wash, or dry the paint, or it is your towels.

Either way, people should take your advice with a grain of salt.

Basically, you told me, that you don't know how to prevent swirls, but that I am wrong about the Costco towels by suggesting newbies to not use it on paint..

You made me giggle. Im the MAN Im the MAN Im the MAN

 

[tdekany]

Marring on a solid base coat has nothing to do with it being softer than metallic base coats. It's simply the fact that it's hidden better by metallic base coats.

Besides that's quite a generalization given the fact that manufactures sometimes use different clear coats at different locations for the same exact color code across their line of cars.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying...

By the way: being a "pro" has nothing to do with knowledge and just because you work on 100+ cars a year doesn't mean you know everything. People like me who don't even have the time to work on one car a month sometimes might, just might be able to make one phone call and have a nice dinner with say a BMW corporate trainer, DM, RM or engineer and gain some knowledge...just saying (Or Land Rover, MB, Lexus, Jeep, etc...well you get the point )

Or a KPA or EPA associate. Working on X amount of cars or having 2723837 years as a detailer sometimes gets to people's heads IMO.

They're just towels...let people use them if they want. Yes, I have tested and they mar a black jeep (solid color); they also mar my Subaru and Cadillac (both metallic, you just can't see it as easy).

I appreciate your reply.

Now, I never said I know everything, all I said was not to use Costco towels on paint from my personal experience. They will mar the paint sooner than later.

They're just towels...let people use them if they want.

You should also pay more attention to what you say on a detailing forum.

I thought the main reason for a forum like this to exist was (mostly) to learn how to PREVENT, CORRECT, and MAINTAIN a swirl free finish. Am I wrong? I mean did this forum change so much over the years, that quality is no longer an important part for most members?

Towels pay a HUGE role in that. What you wipe the finish with IS extremely important.

And remember, why this thread was started by the OP who ASKED for opinions. I gave mine, but, unfortunately, when I see someone like anonymoususer, who is obviously inexperienced, yet wants to sound like he knows what he is talking about, I have to jump in. I prefer the person who asks, should receive the right answer.

manufactures sometimes use different clear coats at different locations for the same exact color code across their line of cars.

Are you assuming that I didn't know that? You have to try harder than that. :xyxthumbs:

just might be able to make one phone call and have a nice dinner with say a BMW corporate trainer, DM, RM or engineer and gain some knowledge...just saying

And again, are you assuming, that I didn't do the same over the 10 years, maybe even more than once? rops:rops:rops:

However, how would any of that help you to prevent a swirl free finish? What is that have to do with how good you are at creating a swirl free finish? Knowing that each correction job is going to be different from the last one will come to you fairly fast, you can't help that. Now if you only do this once in a while, like yourself, it can be beneficial for you.

I still wonder where you are coming from, or if this has anything to do with me claiming that these towels should not be used on paint.

I apologize, for knowing more than most weekend warriors when it comes to obtaining and maintaining a swirl free finish. I guess some people hate to admit that they are wrong. Such as life.

Just so you know, I am not just an Internet "pro" detailer. I practice what I preach.


IMG_6746 by savingspaces33, on Flickr


IMG_6753 by savingspaces33, on Flickr


IMG_6757 by savingspaces33, on Flickr

 

[AutowerxDetailing]

I snapped some pics really quick with my digital microscope to show you guys the difference between the old Costco MF's and the new Costco MF's. I also included a paint safe MF for comparison.

Old Costco MF Towel:
Notice the distance between each bundle of fabric. It is my belief that these extreme gaps (in addition to cheaply blended polyester material) serve as pressure points and increase the chance of marring. These same properties also make them excellent for cleaning because they trap dirt/grime in the microfiber weave.

New Costco MF Towel:
Here you can see a significant increase in "plushness" however the gaps between each bundle are still obvious.

Paint Safe MF Towel:
Notice how plush this microfiber blend is compared to the Costo version. Gaps between each pillar of material are minimal which yields the best chance of distributing force while wiping the towel across a highly polished surface.

 

[07RS4]

tedkany^^^That RS5 you have on your page is my next car...in my dreams. Nice job on the paintwork...that is all

 

[Harry Da Hamster]

PS: Hardness has nothing to do with it. ALL clear is extremely hard. Do you realize what would happen if clear coats were "soft"?

Solid colors mar easier. White, blue, red, black green eyc.. all look worse than metallic ones.

Sounds like that you refuse to learn.

If you do not know that solid colors mar easier than metallic ones, it is you who doesn't know what you are talking about. Sorry mister.

I am a pro detailer, (over 10 years) I would think that I have a little more actual experience with paint, since all I do is paint corrections.

Remind me again, what is it that you do to question my experience?

Go to a BMW dealership, and look at jet black paint - if you want to talk about soft paint. Take a flashlight, and see how any of those cars look. Now compare those to any sapphire black finishes at the same lot, or any lot.

Of course you don't have to go to BMW, but since you falsely assume that your paint is soft, check out a JB BMW. Now that finish will mar like no other.

So you see, I don't just "make" up stuff, what I tell you comes from years of experience (upto 70 hour paint correction jobs) but it seems, that with you it is a pattern.

1 - a 50 cent towel is as good as a $5.00 towel, your metallic black paint is the softest etc....

Anyway, I am done, if you refuse to learn (that is why I come here, read a lot most nights), it is fine with me, but I ask you to think before you accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about. rops:

When did i say non-metallics don't mar as easily as metallics? It doesnt take a "detailer of 10 years experience" to know paint without metallic speckles in it will show more scratches than paint with metallic speckles that will distract the eye.

You're trying so hard to prove me wrong that you keep changing your stance on your statements. You said my Porsche metallic paint is NOT soft and that was justification about why i don't notice marring with Costco towels, then i question your comment about differences in hardness in Porsche metallic and non-metallic paints, and now you change your statement and type a book report about how all clear coats are extremely hard and how i don't know non-metallics will show more marring than metallics. I think its the general consensus of the forum that Porsche paint is generally softer than most others.

What have i learned so far from your teachings? That you ramble way too much and you need to make up your mind.