Patman 09-19-2005, 05:23 PM Ok, so I'll be the first to admit, I've never used one before. My gf's mom got me one for my birthday, so I decided to use it for the first time on Friday. Not sure what exactly I did with it. Managed to push some water around, and get some not so nice-looking drying spots on it. Also, seems like it got sticky - not sure if it was something on the chamois (should I have washed it before the first use?), or if it was picking up wax or something. Any advice would be appreciated!
special k 09-19-2005, 05:29 PM You wet it down (soak it), then wring it out. After you've washed, uou then wipe the E down with and it will absorb the water. Continue wringing the Chamois out as you go.
Patman 09-19-2005, 06:19 PM So:
1. Moisten chamois, wring it out
2. Wash car as normal w/ Mr. Clean, sponge, etc
3. Use the damp chamois to dry the E, wringing as you go
?
That's about what I tried doing, but it didn't seem the chamois absorbed quite enough. Maybe I needed more wringing.
Hajidub 09-19-2005, 06:21 PM If it was a cheapo (not a lamb chamois) then that'll answer your question. You have to keep the lamb ones damp. It'll last for probably 20 washes then time for another $35.
hiker chick 09-19-2005, 07:27 PM Any advice would be appreciated!
My advice is: use white 100% cotton bath towels. Plusher the better and used only on the Element. Takes one to dry my E. Two hand towels to wash.
Wash in liquid detergent, no powders.
Chamois is very bad news if there is any grit under it.
Hiker chick beat me too the draw.
My advice is keep the chamois around for show when the GF's mom come around but buy and use some decent waffle weave microfiber towels to dry. I have several brands and most are very good. You can probably find the Meguiars Water magnet locally (pep boys, autozone, etc.) Get two. Wash them with liquid detergent only in warm water with ONLY other microfiber and NO fabric softener. Air dry (low heat tumble if you want).
I can dry a small car with one large towel and that includes all the door jambs, trunk, etc.
Finish you wash with an open hose (no attachment) and angle the water over each panel...top to bottom. This way you don't have a million beads of water to dry as the water will sheet off. If you can wash and dry on an incline, even better.
Chamois are way old school and NOT in a good way. They are hard to keep clean and you do not want to rub dirt on your paint or Swirl City!
BC246T 09-20-2005, 07:29 AM Ok, so I'll be the first to admit, I've never used one before. My gf's mom got me one for my birthday, so I decided to use it for the first time on Friday. Not sure what exactly I did with it. Managed to push some water around, and get some not so nice-looking drying spots on it. Also, seems like it got sticky - not sure if it was something on the chamois (should I have washed it before the first use?), or if it was picking up wax or something. Any advice would be appreciated!
You should have washed it before the first use. It comes new with oils still in the hide and you should wash it in warm water with liquid detergent, then rinse well and wring out. Properly prepared and used it picks up a LOT of water.
Scooter 05 09-20-2005, 03:43 PM I used chamois till I discovered the newer synthetics a few yrs ago. They're ALOT more absorbent than the old chams I used.
Patman 09-20-2005, 03:56 PM Hmm, ok, looks like I need to wash the chamois first, if I'm going to continue using it. Thanks for the tips, everyone!
SunnyElement 09-20-2005, 05:38 PM I have gone through many Chamois in all of my cars. I saw my neighbor using The Absorber one day on his truck - he swears by it. I went out and bought one at WalMart the next day and tried it. It is so much better than a Chamois. It leaves no streaks and holds a lot of water. It comes in a plastic container and should be stored damp. I think it was only about $10 or so. :roll:
http://www.theabsorber.com/home.html
Patman 09-20-2005, 07:51 PM Hmm, I may have to check that out!
divisiong 10-28-2005, 08:12 PM the Absorber was the best $ i spent on anything to detail my car my paint looks awesome afterwards
mixteca 10-29-2005, 02:47 AM I used to use a chamois but as they got older they would leave residue, like little particles of hide. The Absorber sounds great! Save the lives of those poor sheep or antelopes of the mountains of Europe and the Caucasus. I've been using old terry cloth beach towels, like they use at the car wash.Me cheap!
TJ's Toy 10-29-2005, 01:14 PM I have tried something different.....it's called the Absorber. Comes in a tube and after you are done using it, rinse it out and roll it up and put it back in the tube. It feels like rubber, but it is awesome! I used it to dry off my Alaskan Malamute!
LTZ Element 10-30-2005, 02:31 PM The Absorber is GREAT, I use it on EVERYTHING!! :) :)
JasonS 10-30-2005, 03:40 PM I have had the same Absorber chamios since 2001 and it is still working great...I busted the plastic container and keep it in a freezer bag in the garage....still going strong. I will buy nothing but Absorbers from now on.
mixteca 10-31-2005, 11:36 AM You've sold me, I'll give it a try!
Cappucino 11-01-2005, 07:13 PM plus the absorber won't scratch the finish like a cotton towel....or leave behind lint.
22b22 11-01-2005, 07:27 PM An all cotton towell with cotton thread for the seams will not scratch (most towells use a synthetic thread for seams/borders - that and a mix blend is what causes scratching). Finding a 100% pure cotton towell is hard to find. I found a few at BB&B a few years ago to use with Zaino and they have been great. Big difference between them and even the designer stuff my ex-gf used in the bathroom. Wish they were easy to find.
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