Red rags?

[rebelde33]

My dad has been using the red rags to dry the cars ever since we got one. He believes these are perfect for drying the cars but now I think those are the ones instilling swirls on the cars. Do they?

[TKDDAD]

Re: Red rags?

absolutely could be and probably are part of the reason. Washing the car also is a big time culprit. What are the red rags made of ?...100% cotton ?...If they are the cheap red rags that I've seen at BJ's and Sams for $10 for 50 of them, they are shop towels and almost disposable and most certainly not soft or gentle enough to use on the clear coat finish of most cars. I would only dry the car I'm working on with microfibre towels. There is lots of information on this site about this subject and lots of opinions. One way to know for sure is to get the swirls out and try washing and drying with your red towels to see if swirls get put back. You can always get them out. Good luck.

[brickyardz]

Re: Red rags?

There is a good chance they are contributing to the problem if they are the standard red shop rags I am thinking of. Think of it this way, when you dry the car if there is some dirt or a particle that did not come off with the wash and it breaks loose while drying, where is it going to go in a red shop towel? It has no place to go but get pushed around on the finish creating light scratches.

On the other hand, if you use a micro fiber or good terri cloth towel there is a nap to them that allows the particle to be absorbed in the towel and not continue to touch the paint surface. This protects the paint from getting scratched by these particles.

That is also why I will not use a leather chamios on any of my cars anymore. I used to use them when I was not as educated because I could dry the entire car with one chamios, just ringing it out when needed. I have put some good scratches in my cars using them after catching some dirt so there ya go.

I hope that makes some sense.

[rebelde33]

Re: Red rags?

Both responses are great. I thought I knew how to take care of a car properly but I guess i'm just starting to understand everything. I'm so glad I came to MOL now I know much more than before. I guess i'll just save those rags to clean the engine bay and buy some MF towels to dry the car.

[Executive Detailing]

Re: Red rags?

Get rid of them!

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Red rags?

Yeah, we use those at work and they will definately swirl up paint.

They do work well for applying tire dressings, though.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Red rags?

Those are probably as good for drying your car, and keeping it scratch free, as using a pair of Levi's jeans would. Yeah, the jeans are 100% cotton but....... well, you wouldn't really use a pair of jeans to dry your car now, would you?

[R Evolution1]

Re: Red rags?

Those are probably as good for drying your car, and keeping it scratch free, as using a pair of Levi's jeans would. Yeah, the jeans are 100% cotton but....... well, you wouldn't really use a pair of jeans to dry your car now, would you?

Nice analogy, I like it

[Zarcero]

Re: Red rags?

I come from a family of machinists. Those red rags are shop towels. They are abrasive. Don't use them on your exterior, they are used to wipe off greases and oils.