yup, i earned that "respect" !!

 

One question- I like to use a terry cloth to apply a wax, is this OK to use?
I like the rougher texture because I feel I'm also doing some cleaning with the wax even after the car was washed. My final step is to buff with an MF towel.
It might not be as critical with Sebring as it would be for a darker color.
If my reasoning is wrong, I'm willing to change.

 

Technically, you can use a cotton terry cloth to apply a wax, but I prefer a small, round foam applicator, as a cotton terry cloth will absorb a lot of product. Especially a liquid wax. If you apply a liquid directly to a cloth, the cloth will be tainted forever You'll never get that stuff out. Opposed to using a cloth for removing a product, by the time said product is ready for removal, it is no longer in liquid form, thus the cloth can be cleaned and used again.

Without lubrication, if pressed into the finish too hard, a cotton terry cloth can scratch the clear coat. For that matter, a microfiber terry cloth can scratch a clear coat if not used correctly.

I used to use cotton terry cloth back in the day to apply wax, but I have since switched to foam applicators as they are more efficient (use less product). I also used to use cotton terry towels for removal of said product (many, many moons ago). That was long before I discovered "Microfiber".


I think that if you use detailing clay (or a polish/paint cleaner), there would be no need to perform additional cleaning through the use of a rough cotton terry towel. For example, if you used a "cleaner" type wax (all in one product), a terry type microfiber towel is more than capable of doing a fine job.

After discovering microfiber, I will never use regular cotton type terry towels on a finish ever again. Like I said, if your carefull, you CAN use regular cotton terry towels for buffing, or removing wax, but you have to be real carefull, as it WILL scratch the finish if you press too hard.

You are much less likely to scratch the finish with a microfiber, so my vote goes for microfiber.