Sponge or Mitt?

[paulj]

A long time ago (30+ years) I worked in a garage cleaning cars.  It was the days of sponges and chamois and I have stuck with that system ever since.

But staying in has had me looking at google.  Am I perhaps stuck in the dark ages as materials and technology has moved on?  Wash Mitts seem to get equal good and bad reviews on the web so I would really appreciate any views.  And is the chamois a thing of the past also, should I be using a microfibre cloth?

Always willing to learn from you fine people!

Thanks.

PS the car did get a wash today with the sponge (!)

[Chilli Girl]

I, like you Paul for years used to use a sponge and chamois until I got Foxy 4 years ago but now I use a micro fibre sponge which basically is a sponge with a micro fibre lining round it and dry off with a huge micro fibre drying cloth. 

[H1GRM]

I think micro-fibre sponges and cloths are definitely more popular and probably more scratch resistant. I have both and use both depending on how the mood takes me.

[Call the midlife!]

I think a lot of it has to do with the changes in paint technology, modern auto paints are a lot softer than back in the day and suffer from swirling from modern, "car" sponges which also generally seem to be more harsh and plasticky than the ones I remember washing the family cars with as a nipper.
I also think a lot of it is to generate sales by the manufacturers of modern products, it's a massive, massive market with waaaay too many choices available.

[Rushy67]

Have moved over to a mitt and drying towel myself a couple of years ago. Car needs to be wet before washing commences. I have just started using the "snow foam " on a wet car to remove initial dirt etc before washing.
Use the Bilt Hamber double speed wax these days, which gives a pleasing result. I also used a paint sealant yesterday, a Poorboys World one I had left in stock. Left it on the car for approx. 45 mins and was very pleased with result when buffing off by hand.

[Bernie]

Sponges should never be used as you can pick up grit in it and as you rub it over the paintwork you swirl scratches into the paintwork

 2 bucket method use a microfibre mitt and after each panel, rinse off in a 2nd bucket to get anything picked up off before dipping into 1st bucket with shampoo

http://www.detailingspot.com/?page_id=15

[s12vea]

Exactly what Bernie said

[steveash]

Wash mits and microfibre are the current fashion that everyone swears by. I like wash mits, they do a decent job. I prefer a chamois to a towel mostly because I really can't be bothered to wash a pile of towels every time I clean the car. Whether one scratches paint more than another, who knows. I've had grit caught up in all of them at times.

[paulj]

I knew you'd have some views  Thanks very much everyone and looks like I will be getting a mitt when allowed out!

[Call the midlife!]

Just remember the 5 second rule with food doesn't apply with your chosen washing weapon.
If you drop it, swap it...

[Ardent]

If you drop it, swap it...

I like that.
Sage words.