Costco microfiber towels?

tdekany said:
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
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You're telling me a daily driven vehicle can have 100% swirl free paint? And that a name brand microfiber towel used with proper technique will never mar paint? That's a bit of an exaggeration. I like your comment about how you look at paint differently, perhaps you should change the word "differently" to "not as meticulously".
 
anonymoususer said:
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.
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Doesn't matter what I say, you never admit to being wrong do you? Just twisting thing around. Typical.

You don't need to now, but you do realize that you did not address one thing I had question you on.

Trust me when I tell you, I know Porsche paint more than you think I do. I could not count how many I have corrected.

Anyway, I will not waste any more of my time.

You enjoy your weekend.
 
07RS4 said:
tedkany^^^That RS5 you have on your page is my next car...in my dreams. Nice job on the paintwork...that is all :)
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You and me both!!!:iagree:

I have seen a gray one, and 2 white ones. To me, that blue is so perfect, it make that car look better than the other colors.

Here is a white one, I helped out a fellow detailer to take some after pictures after is was corrected and Opti Coated. Unfortunately it was raining, so we couldn't pull it out.


_B040022.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


_B040040.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr
 
anonymoususer said:
1 - You're telling me a daily driven vehicle can have 100% swirl free paint? 2 - And that a name brand microfiber towel used with proper technique will never mar paint? That's a bit of an exaggeration. 3 - I like your comment about how you look at paint differently, perhaps you should change the word "differently" to "not as meticulously".
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1 - yes of course, even black. Hard work but it is being done every day.

2 - yes. Why would it? You are in charge of what the towel does. Learn to detail the proper way and even you can get better.

3 - you are acting like a 2 year old. Are you not the one who has given up on a swirl free finish?

i'm no longer obsessive about swirls
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"not as meticulously" - shouldn't that be in your signature line?

You clearly admitted it already.:applause::applause::applause:

Not sure where you came up with THAT idea for me. I get paid pretty well to look at paint meticulously.

If in doubt, you are always welcome to come with me on any of my details. The one thing I can guarantee you is that you will learn a lot. :buffing::buffing::buffing:

You are trying to sound like someone who knows what they are talking about, but clearly, you do not. It is ok though, none of us are perfect, that includes you, me all of us.
 
tdekany said:
Doesn't matter what I say, you never admit to being wrong do you? Just twisting thing around. Typical.

You don't need to now, but you do realize that you did not address one thing I had question you on.

Trust me when I tell you, I know Porsche paint more than you think I do. I could not count how many I have corrected.

Anyway, I will not waste any more of my time.

You enjoy your weekend.
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I feel like i'm talking to a child. You accuse me of "twisting" the story when when my story has stayed true. It's the complete opposite.

I would love to be proven wrong and i don't mind spending more money on nicer quality MF towels. But why would i if there's no perceivable difference in end result on my vehicle?

Either you don't know paint if you are arguing Porsche paint is "extremely hard". Or maybe that's the "twisting" of the story you keep mentioning just to prove a point of yours. I know you know paint. You're just trying way to hard to prove a point. Fail.
 
anonymoususer said:
I feel like i'm talking to a child. You accuse me of "twisting" the story when when my story has stayed true. It's the complete opposite.

I would love to be proven wrong and i don't mind spending more money on nicer quality MF towels. But why would i if there's no perceivable difference in end result on my vehicle?

Either you don't know paint if you are arguing Porsche paint is "extremely hard". Or maybe that's the "twisting" of the story you keep mentioning just to prove a point of yours. I know you know paint. You're just trying way to hard to prove a point. Fail.
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When I say that all clear is hard, it is because clear coat is "hard"

Not soft. If that was the case, the clear would come off "easy". But that is besides what brand clear mars easier. All clear is very hard. That is the reason the clear lasts the lifetime of the car.

As far as proving you wrong, no one has tried. I certainly have not tried. This thread is about the OP, not really you. If you really think that keeping paint mint is not possible, what are you doing on a detailing forum?

Preventing swirls is up to you, not the towels. I can mar the paint with the plushest towel and keep paint mar free with a cheap towel (If I had to)
Are you an expert at this, that you question my statement about the possibility of a mar free finish on a DD driver?

This isn't any different than someone using a Nikon D800 with the best Nikkor lens and produce terrible results, while a real photographer using a P&S camera and get amazing shots.

YOU need to learn the proper way of detailing.

Get a copy of Mike's book! $25.00 extremely well spent!!
 
if there's no perceivable difference in end result on my vehicle?
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This is the bottom line. If you do not get better results with a better quality towel, it is YOU who is at fault. YOU need to change your bad habits to good habits.
 
tdekany said:
This is the bottom line. If you do not get better results with a better quality towel, it is YOU who is at fault. YOU need to change your bad habits to good habits.
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Actually the real bottom line is... You don't know how meticulous i am about everything i do and you're using a comment that i said about how my vehicle will never be 100% free of swirls for the baseline for your entire argument. For you to say "100% perfect" or a quality MF towel will "never mar" or other definitive words and statements like that is absolutely silly. Trust me, my vehicle is very meticulous. I work in an industry where if i say something is definitively 100%, it better be 100% otherwise i will he held liable. Contracts are very unforgiving. I would never say 100% perfect.
 
I checked my Costco MF Towels, and they are Detailers Preference brand. Have used that brand since I first found them and have had zero issues on paint. The kirkland ones never really softened up enough for me to feel comfortable using on paint. I would recommend washing the whole set before using them, as that may soften them up a bit.
 
I still like them for my aio jobs, I cater to what my customers want, CLEAN CARS. Like I said before, most don't have a clue about swirls. That's doesn't mean I don't clean the cars up, and make them look good.

I think my inexpensive microfibers do much less "damage", if any, compared to the carwash they will take it to in 2-3 weeks.

If I worked on exotic cars, and charged a descent amount, Id use mu nicer towels. Fact is I don't, and the Kirkland brand towels work well for me.

I'd suggest to the OP to get an assortment of towels, and use all of them to determine what's best for you.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using AG Online
 
I love these threads, always end up down the same road. Mike said it the best " find what works for you and use it often".

If Costco towels work for you and you can get the job done with them, then more power to you. Like many others have stated I too started out with Costco towels, but now only use them on interior, wheels, engine etc and not the paint.

Proper care of MF towels makes all the difference. I have a variety of MF towels, some that cost 15 each, and also sell MF towels on my website. Quality MF towels make a difference in the detailing process and the results.

Like everything in detailing you need a variety of products and tools to get the job done. If you only have Costco towels and come across paint that mars or scratches easily with them you're SOL.
 
Meticulous-Detail said:
I love these threads, always end up down the same road. Mike said it the best " find what works for you and use it often".

If Costco towels work for you and you can get the job done with them, then more power to you. Like many others have stated I too started out with Costco towels, but now only use them on interior, wheels, engine etc and not the paint.

Proper care of MF towels makes all the difference. I have a variety of MF towels, some that cost 15 each, and also sell MF towels on my website. Quality MF towels make a difference in the detailing process and the results.

Like everything in detailing you need a variety of products and tools to get the job done. If you only have Costco towels and come across paint that mars or scratches easily with them you're SOL.
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Been reading this thread too and they do seem to end up all the same. LOL

Personally I have good towels and I have some cheap ones too, they all have their uses. :xyxthumbs:
 
tdekany said:
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.

Yes, I shouldn't have made it seem like you said "you knew everything" because you didn't say that, but it sometimes rubs me the wrong way when people say "Ive been detailing for 10+ years" when talking down to someone.


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

Im referring to the arguing. You're arguing over towels: If people want to use them and they say they don't mar their paint then as a 12 year old girl would say; whatever. Do I agree with you about the Costco towels? Hell yes I do. I never would allow them to touch my paint, but I'm not going to argue with someone if they WANT to use them unless they are using them on my cars. It's their car; I could care less what they do to their own cars.


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?

Yes and no. Some people are here just to learn how to protect, some are here to just learn how to get stains/smells out of their interior, some are here because they don't know how to get an annoying etching out of their paint. Some people don't care about a ton of swirls, don't have the funds to get rid of and prevent them and some don't have the patience/time.

I'm on your side about quality. I do like a perfect or near perfect finish on anything, however I accept others that don't care as much. If they feel like they get good results from using a 10in buffer from Walmart then great. Of course they will get better results with one of the polishers here, but I'm not going to argue with them if they are happy and don't care to expand.


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

I agree completely

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.

Well, I'll leave the argument between you two alone, but he did ask if they're any good. Hell yes they're excellent for the price, but people should be cautious when using them for certain tasks.


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

Not trying to think of things you may not know or prove you wrong; just sharing a fact.


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

Not assuming, but people will say things like "I've been detailing longer than you've been alive", yet they've never talked to anyone in the auto industry that have infinite knowledge because they are up close and personal with whatever they're apart of. (Same goes for plane, boats, etc...) So, said experienced detailers will think someone like me might not know what I'm talking about, even though I've picked these people's brains and retained info.

I think it's awesome you were fortunate enough to talk to experts in particular fields to help expand your knowledge. It's like I've seen Mike P. talk about being able to have a conversation with a chemist; that's awesome, I wish I knew a chemist so I could pick their brain.

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 was pointing out the fact that just because someone doesn't have the credentials, doesn't mean they don't know anything. I think this gets lost at times, but I'm not saying that's how you think; it was just a tangent.

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.

It doesn't, I was mostly referring to yourself pointing out you're a pro and have been at this for 10 years. IMO, sometimes that means nothing, it came across as if you're putting people down because you're more experienced. Were you implying this? It doesn't sound like you were trying to, but it's how it came across to me.

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.

No apology needed

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

It always sounded like you knew what you were talking about and I agree with you on your opinion on the Costco Towels, but the being a pro comment and putting someone down made me have to chime in. Maybe I assumed too much and I apologize for that, but I saw it differently that's all.

....pics....
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I never doubted that you know your craft. Pics look excellent.

*Responded on my phone will try to proofread. What a pain.

-Quick story: My buddy doesn't really care about the appearance of his paint (gray SUV), but he likes protecting the paint (clay, wax). I am in the middle of helping him expand on some aspects, so when we took a look at his paint, it really wasn't that bad and I was shocked, but of course not up to our standards.....

.....He uses Terry towels and beach towels to dry/buff off wax. So my point is that there are so many factors that may or may not cause marring or swirling; if he likes to use a beach towel then so be it. Same goes for the Costco towel.

For the record: I never would use Costco towels on my paint. To each their own.
 
tdekany said:
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. :props:
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Wow! Someone's full of themselves.

My pro experience dates back to 1995 (before MF madness--the debate was whether to use cloth baby diapers, flannel, or terry) does that make it more valuable than your insight?

I can attest to the Costco MF's effectiveness. Obviously not for all paints, but the soccer mom's Suburban with rock hard CC won't even flinch. And yes--I have used them on a black Porsche without harm, though I still would prefer not to.

If you're exclusively doing $500+ restos everyday, my hat goes off to you and agree with your choice to exclusively use uber-expensive towels. I also need to seriously consider moving to Portland if that's the case.

If you're spending much time at all doing AIO's like the vast majority of detailing professionals (and using all the expensive towels), then I want to see your Income Statement as I don't see how you could be making any money:xyxthumbs:
 
CCC4me said:
Wow! Someone's full of themselves.

My pro experience dates back to 1995 (before MF madness--the debate was whether to use cloth baby diapers, flannel, or terry) does that make it more valuable than your insight?

I can attest to the Costco MF's effectiveness. Obviously not for all paints, but the soccer mom's Suburban with rock hard CC won't even flinch. And yes--I have used them on a black Porsche without harm, though I still would prefer not to.

If you're exclusively doing $500+ restos everyday, my hat goes off to you and agree with your choice to exclusively use uber-expensive towels. I also need to seriously consider moving to Portland if that's the case.

If you're spending much time at all doing AIO's like the vast majority of detailing professionals (and using all the expensive towels), then I want to see your Income Statement as I don't see how you could be making any money:xyxthumbs:
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I am not full of myself.

All I do is paint corrections and/or coatings. I chose not to do AIO details any more. That is what every shop does in Portland, not an easy way to make money that way.

However, even when I was starting out, (Thanks to Autopia - the original one) I quickly learned the importance of using quality towels. Only time the paint gets damaged is when you touch it. So it is only logical to use quality products - products that will come in contact with the paint.

However, what type of details I do is irrelevant, the OP - Bobbykart didn't ask for towels to do AIO details in his business. As far as I can see, his avatar has a "BLACK" colored car. My response was to that question. Just look at how many don't recommend them for paint. Excuse me, if you don't approve of my standards.
Plus, I don't understand how spending some extra $$$ on towels is going to eat into your profit. I also use Costco towels, but not for paint. Your argument makes no sense, since so many others purchase expensive waxes for example. Do you also have an issue with that? I mean how many towels do you think a detailer needs for polishing and LSP removal? Hey, here is an idea!

Charge more, adjust your prices - sounds like you don't charge enough.

I much rather buy better quality towels, that last way longer than cheaper ones and don't have to replace them as often.

Good day to you!
 
If It makes any one feel better I am going to buy some Costco towels and some cobra towels!!! Whoohooo!
 
the one thing that touches the paint the most is mf towels and with that said, use high quality mf towels that will help prevent having to polish frequently. we all know paint correction takes time and having to do it less often is ideal. the costco (kirkland) mf towels are great for the price and are decent quality, but they have their purpose (wheels/wells, engine bay, interior, etc,). after a few washes they usually start to degrade and that's when they get tossed and one shouldn't feel too bad since they aren't expensive. some can use these and if it fits your criteria, more power to you...
 
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