Viking Microfiber Mitts?

[cfiiman]

Hey everyone,

I was in a local store today and just for fun cruised through their auto section and came upon 2 things that I was very interested in.

The first was a Meguiars Waffle Weave Drying Towel, named the Water Magnet. I purchased it and tried it out tonight after washing it with a rinseless wash and it did really good. What I like most is the size, I don't know how it will perform dry as mine was still damp from the washer and didn't totally absorb all the water after the first couple panels, but with some QD it was fine.

The second thing that I did not get and need badly is a microfiber wash mitt, it was called "long pile" from Viking. They seemed really nice but wanted to do some research on them b/c they were so cheap. Are they any good? I found only a few reviews so even though they were positive there were not that many so I thought i'd ask. I have always used the "nobby" chenille mitts, I love them but can't find any decent ones anymore locally. It is like every manufacturer has cut the amount of dreadlocks in half or something. Anyway that is when I saw these Viking long pile microfiber and thought maybe they would be just as good? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[lyodbraun]

I've bought plenty of the Viking brand products and have been happy with them, I think they are pretty good for the price... I also have the drying towel that you have works great... I say buy the mitt...

 

[aim4squirrels]

Take a blank CD back to the store and rub the mitt against it vigorously. If it doesn't scratch the CD, you should be good to go.

 

[cfiiman]

I've bought plenty of the Viking brand products and have been happy with them, I think they are pretty good for the price... I also have the drying towel that you have works great... I say buy the mitt...

Thanks for the reply, good to know you like them and the Meguiar's towel. I bought a Griots WW and it is huge and I hate the pocket things. The Meg is the perfect size, I'm excited to try it when it is completely dry the next time and see if it picks up more water.

Is there any "safety margin" difference between the chenille dreadlocks and these Viking's I'm considering? The only reason I'm reluctant is it seems like the dreads would be less friction where the microfiber Vikings would be more just by the nature of the design, any thoughts?

 

[cfiiman]

Take a blank CD back to the store and rub the mitt against it vigorously. If it doesn't scratch the CD, you should be good to go.

I'm sure they would pass that test based on the way they feel, very plush and soft, i'm just apprehensive because of the difference in "style" between these and dreadlock style, I'd love to hear from people who have mitts like these or these exact ones even.

 

[cleanmycorolla]

Take a blank CD back to the store and rub the mitt against it vigorously. If it doesn't scratch the CD, you should be good to go.

I'm sure they would pass that test based on the way they feel, very plush and soft, i'm just apprehensive because of the difference in "style" between these and dreadlock style, I'd love to hear from people who have mitts like these or these exact ones even.

That test is meaningless.

 

[conman1395]

I'm sure they would pass that test based on the way they feel, very plush and soft, i'm just apprehensive because of the difference in "style" between these and dreadlock style, I'd love to hear from people who have mitts like these or these exact ones even.

Is the design similar to the Meguiars wash mitts?

 

[cfiiman]

Is the design similar to the Meguiars wash mitts?

Yes very similar, the white Megs. in fact I was thinking of trying that except the reviews on them say they get filthy and don't come clean. I'm sure that is a function of them being white, but that is why I was a little turned off to them, should I go with those? Do people really like them on AG?

The "pile" is a little more dense then the Meg mitt and it actually feels more plush. I'm just use to the dreadlocks of the chenille mitts but I just can't find a good one that doesn't seem like they've skimped on the material. My old one is almost twice as many dreads as the new ones I see at EVERY store. I stopped counting after I looked at about 8 different stores/mitts, then by accident I found these Vikings that look good, just different then what I'm used to and wanted to see if others use them as I have never heard of the brand.

Here is what they look like, does anyone use this style of mitt:

 

[sixsix]

The Meg is the perfect size, I'm excited to try it when it is completely dry the next time and see if it picks up more water.

I never dry the car with a dry towel...I always soak it down before I start washing then ring it out the best I can and hang it up, when it's time to dry the car the drying towel is slightly damp. A damp towel actually picks up more water than a complety dry towel.

As for the viking products, I have a couple of thier towels and like them and never had a problem with them.

 

[cfiiman]

I never dry the car with a dry towel...I always soak it down before I start washing then ring it out the best I can and hang it up, when it's time to dry the car the drying towel is slightly damp. A damp towel actually picks up more water than a complety dry towel.

As for the viking products, I have a couple of thier towels and like them and never had a problem with them.

Interesting, it sounds like having damp then was better. The only thing I noticed is it left a trail of dampness behind the towel, not a big deal though. Maybe mine was a little too damp? Don't know if it matters by I do rinseless on this car.

 

[conman1395]

A lot of people here use the Meguiar's mitt. I was apprehensive of the Meguiar's mitt too and only used a chenille mitt. The Meguiar's mitt works very well. Judging by the picture of the Viking mitt, I would choose the Meguiar's instead.

 

[conman1395]

Interesting, it sounds like having damp then was better. The only thing I noticed is it left a trail of dampness behind the towel, not a big deal though. Maybe mine was a little too damp? Don't know if it matters by I do rinseless on this car.

I assume he means damp with quick detailer or some ONR. That dries better than water and provides better lubrication between the towel and paint.

 

[cfiiman]

A lot of people here use the Meguiar's mitt. I was apprehensive of the Meguiar's mitt too and only used a chenille mitt. The Meguiar's mitt works very well. Judging by the picture of the Viking mitt, I would choose the Meguiar's instead.

Doesn't it turn black from grime that you can't get out or have you not experienced that? That is what turned me off of it.

BTW, this is the one you are talking about right?

 

[conman1395]

You tell, me.

View attachment 29394
They release dirt very well. Just as you should be doing already, I inspect my mitts before I use them. This way if they do get stained (mine haven't yet) you are still sure there isn't any abrasive material.

 

[conman1395]

These wash mitts have a foam inner as well, so it holds plenty of soap. A mitt with long pile/strands won't release dirt very easily. A chenille MF mitt consists of little fingers covered in short pile microfiber.

 

[cfiiman]

You tell, me.

View attachment 29394
They release dirt very well. Just as you should be doing already, I inspect my mitts before I use them. This way if they do get stained (mine haven't yet) you are still sure there isn't any abrasive material.

Cool you've sold me I'll pick 4 up tomorrow!

I'll be using them with ONR on one car, I'm assuming they work equally as well you think?

 

[conman1395]

I use grout sponges from Lowe's. They paint safe and really cheap so you can throw them away when they stain. However I think these mitts would do very well for ONR especially considering the foam inner; however I have not tried them with ONR.

Here's the sponge I use in case you were wondering.

View attachment 29396

 

[VISITOR]

Yes very similar, the white Megs. in fact I was thinking of trying that except the reviews on them say they get filthy and don't come clean. I'm sure that is a function of them being white, but that is why I was a little turned off to them, should I go with those? Do people really like them on AG?

The "pile" is a little more dense then the Meg mitt and it actually feels more plush. I'm just use to the dreadlocks of the chenille mitts but I just can't find a good one that doesn't seem like they've skimped on the material. My old one is almost twice as many dreads as the new ones I see at EVERY store. I stopped counting after I looked at about 8 different stores/mitts, then by accident I found these Vikings that look good, just different then what I'm used to and wanted to see if others use them as I have never heard of the brand.

Here is what they look like, does anyone use this style of mitt:

i wouldn't hesitate to use that, it feels softer than the megs mf wash mitt and the pile seems to be thicker. viking has some good products and if you didn't know already, the mothers accessorries are made by shroeder & tremayne which also make viking products as well...

 

[cfiiman]

i wouldn't hesitate to use that, it feels softer than the megs mf wash mitt and the pile seems to be thicker. viking has some good products and if you didn't know already, the mothers accessorries are made by shroeder & tremayne which also make viking products as well...

No I did not know that, this is my "learn something new from AG everyday" thing today lol. That was my initial reaction, that they were softer than the Megs mitts. I was thinking of just getting 2 of each kind and seeing what I like best, maybe I'll like them both equally. I must say the Vikings were surprisingly soft and well made for the price though.

The reviews on the Megs were outstanding which is why I was considering them, I think they have almost a full 5 star rating on Amazon with like almost 300 reviews, that is pretty good. The problem with Amazon though is that most of the reviewers based on their comments don't seem to be true car enthusiasts like on AG. And it looks like AG doesn't sell the Meguiars mitt so I can't find any reviews on here.

 

[allenk4]

I just question microfiber as a material for anything that will be used more than once before washing.

We choose microfiber towels because of their ability to grab AND HOLD. They do not easily release dirt or debris they pick-up from the surface of the paint.

This characteristic is great, IF the product will contact the surface once and then be washed prior to being used again.

IMO, a microfiber wash mitt that is repeatedly applied to the paint with only a quick rinsing seems counter to the properties of the material.

There is a video of the guys from Megs doing a rinseless wash with D114 and their microfiber mitt. They discuss how the MF in their mitt is different and designed specifically to release dirt.

I favor using two of the Merino Wash Mitts with a 2BM or modified rinseless. This makes more sense to me on a basic level.