What kind of cloths should I be using for...

[DM616]

Car washing and waxing?

I've been watching videos and it goes all over the place.

I have liquid car soap (turtle wax) and liquid wax (armor all).

I also have 1 microfiber towel.

What should I use to dry the water off, and what should I use to apply the wax? I'd prefer to not use or buy a million items.

My whole hood is yellow from this damn pollen >: O

EDIT: Went to AAP and picked up 3 more microfibers.

[humanoid]

Waffle weave towels to dry off and any of those wax applicator pads to put on the wax. Use MF towels to take the wax off.

[PhatRoyale]

I'm a big fan of these:

[shoeless89]

Hi my names Shawn and I am a detailing addict. Over the past year and a half I have become obsessed with detailing. I've bought probably $2000 in products, I think I've found some of the best out there. For a drying towel I would use the Cobra Guzzler Waffle Weave Drying Towel. You can get most of the water off you car by blotting dry instead of dragging the towel over your car, therfore preventing potential stratching and micro marring. And for wax I would go with Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax. Its sythetic so it will give you a more hard glass look and last about 6 months instead of regular Carnuba wax lasting only 6-8 weeks. Just use one of those foam or microfiber applicator pads to apply and use a regular microfiber to buff off. Always make sure you read the direction on waxes/sealents because some recommend letting sit for 45min and some recommend buffing off shortly after applying. From my experience following the manufactures directions will give you the best results. You can get the Cobra towel from www.autogeek.net , one of my favorite places of all time. Great products and great service. And just go to AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts ect. to get the wax. I hope that helped!

[BLUEMEANIE]

I use the Mothers waffle weave Ultra Soft Drying Towel and their Lambswool Wash Mitt for soaping. Wax (I use carnauba paste) goes on with the applicator pads and gets buffed out with 100% cotton.

[nitronate33]

i second the meguiars supreme shine towel for polishing and waxing. it does a great job removing all the residue and leaving it perfectly shiny. i also recommend the meguiars ultimate line-up of products, the ultimate quick detailer and wax are great for in-between jobs. i use them a lot especially on the front of the car where your car takes the most abuse. i haven't tried the ultimate wax yet, some like the look of synthetic and some don't. i'm not worried about how long it lasts because i wax my car plenty.

a waffle weave towel is great for drying as others have said. i have two viking towels and they are huge, two are plenty to dry the whole car.

the meguiars microfiber washing mitt is great for washing the car and their microfiber applicator pads are also great for applying polish and wax.

mother's has a clay bar kit that is great for removing embedded road grime and leaving you paintr nice and smooth to the touch.

[MothersPolish]

I remember my first microfiber towel... now I probably have about 75. It's easier to have a bunch around for washing in loads and making sure you don't run out. And don't be afraid to spend a few bucks, but you don't have to spend a lot -- but the multi-packs are usually marginal at best and of quality that doesn't last that long.

Waffle-weave microfiber is ideal for drying -- low drag means less chance of microscratching, especially a dark vehicle.

Plush microfiber is great for detailing.

Medium-plush is good for multi-purpose.

Medium-plush folded or bunched in a ball is good for polishing, and you can get applicators for ease of use -- kind of a personal thing on what works best for you.

Foam applicators are often best for waxing.

A good cotton terry washcloth or towel is good for removing products; or a microfiber polishing cloth that has some bite to it.

You won't always find a full selection at one store.