Best mitt to prevent marring? Sheepskin isn't it.

I

imported_RedlineIRL

New member
I've heard many times that lambswool is supposeldy the best wash mitt you can get, but I'm definately having second thoughts. I've been using lambswool mitts for a little while and I've notice some marring that I used to not have. I can tell it's from this mitt since the marring is going the same direction that I wash on the car. Lambswool/sheepskin may be alright for garage queens that get driven a couple times a month, but not for a daily driver. I use a two bucket with a grit guard and rinse the mitt out very frequently, so I don't get it. I'm going to be switching to something else. What else is out there that is plush and can easily trap dirt and be rinsed out? How about chenilles?
 
Which sheepskin are you using? I only ask because I've never had a problem with them. Also, how do you dry?



Grout sponges and boars hair brushes are two other popular options.
 
If you CD-test the mitt (properly, i.e., wet with shampoo, etc.) you'll probably find it's not the mitt itself that's causing the marring. Rather, most wash-induced marring comes from dirt getting stuck between the mitt and the paint and then being moved under pressure.



I use a foamgun to provide constant lubrication and flushing, and I do the initial passes with a BHB, which rinses clean while being moved across the paint.



Using interrupted, jiggling motions helps to avoid long scratches...if the wash-induced marring is a few inches long then something is very, very wrong IMO. During the pauses/interruptions there's an opportunity for dirt to get flushed away.



Also, try filling the mitt with shampoo mix and holding it shut at the cuff. Gently whisk it across the paint while the shampoo mix seeps out. Pressing the mitt against the paint in the usual way will usually involve so much pressure that you'll get marring.



I've noticed that with my foamgun-centric wash technique, my rinse water buckets are *much* cleaner at the end of a wash, even when the vehicle was *VERY* dirty. That tells me that far less dirt is getting stuck in the mitts, where it could cause marring.



You simply can't press dirt against the paint and them *move* said dirt.
 
JBM said:
How often do you rinse out the grout sponge?



For example, every 3 feet? or a 2x2 area?
Click to expand...



You don't need to do anything special. Load it up with wash solution and wash away.
 
You may be getting marring with the sheepskin mitt - but I doubt the marring is being caused by the sheepskin mitt.



In my experience (albeit limited) a sheepskin mitt is less likely to marr than a MF mitt, Shmitt, chenille mitt, or boar's hair brush. I haven't tried the grout sponge.



The majority (if not outright consensus) seems to be that sheepskin provides the least chance of marring because of: 1) its ability to pull dirt into the nap and away from the paint while washing; and 2) it's ability to release dirt/grit when being rinsed. The only knock I've ever heard about sheepskin is: 1) it's relative lack of ability to do aggressive cleaning because of it's softness (but this is the tradeoff of it's non-marring character); and 2) it's relative lack of durability compared to MF/Shmitt/Boar's Hair.
 
I've never had any marring issues with my sheepskin, but I also use grout sponges more often than anything thanks to SM's tip.
 
Lately I like the dread lock microfiber mits, it seems like they release the dirt better and I found a bunch of my sheep skin mit had some sort of seeds embedded in them that were a pain in the *** to remove.
 
SpoiledMan said:
I've said it many times and I'll say it again. A $2 grout sponge is your best bet.
Click to expand...



The type of sponges you would use to install tiles? I guess I learn something new every time I log on here.
 
purple, your cost to try it out is all of $2. If you don't like it use it for wheels or something.



If you're shopping your local Home Depot you want to pick the sponges that are in the big "hopper" and are loose with a tag attached to them. They're usually $1.97. The GS users are here among you.;)
 
Not doubting the GS, but I wonder why the sponge would be less likely to induce marring than a sheepskin would? Seems like it would be more likely to keep the dirt between the sponge and paint than the mitt would.
 
07e90 said:
Lately I like the dread lock microfiber mits, it seems like they release the dirt better and I found a bunch of my sheep skin mit had some sort of seeds embedded in them that were a pain in the *** to remove.
Click to expand...



I tried the grout sponge and regular sponges before, but the chenille MF mitt from target or walmart has been working real well for me. I had a sheepskin mitt a long, long, long time ago and found it did a poor job at removing the dirt around fenders and the bottom third of the car. I haven't noticed any new marring from the chenille mitt so it is the one I use the most. I also picked up the MF covered sponge ( not worth the money) and I just use it on my wheels.
 
Its really personal preference folks. Ive been using the Sheepskin for years now, and you would really have to twist my arms to get me to try/use something else. Spoiled is a good friend of mine, we talk rather frequently, and I trust his judgement with the GS, but I dont think I will go anywhere near it, lol.

As for the Chenille, I just found them (At least the one I tried) a little too grabby around emblems, headlights and other protruding objects. They would aften catch and leave threads behinds. The Sheepskin is just so slippery with suds, it seams to slide right over any protrusion with no ill effects or remnants....Plus I have never really seen any marring due to it either.....
 
I use the thick sheepskin mitt's from Excel Detail and love them. Combined with a good quality car wash, and proper technique, marring will be kept to a bare minimum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top