The 2005 owners manual says "Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts.". Various owners have indicated they use washing mitts. Are there different kinds with some being "rough"? I've been told that mitts are good in that the dirt goes below the surface and less chance of scratching. I have been using a 100% cotton towel for washing so far on my previous black car and it seems to be fine (soft enough, only concern is dirt being trapped). Prior to that I have also washed with a chamois because it was soft. I just picked up my new 2005 Onynx SL and prior to my first wash would like to read of experiences from other owners of dark colored cars.

 

I use the lambs wool wash mitt and have no problems. I used in on my toyota that was a deep green. Just have to make sure that you rinse it well before and after you wash.

 

Lambs wool mit is the way to go. Was your towel a terry towel because chances are that your 100% cotton towel still has some polyester in it and is creating swirls and scratches. So just get rid of those. I think the manual might say that because with microfiber wash mits it holds the dirt much stronger to the mitt than the lambswool. Lambswool mit and then some quality microfiber or waffle weave towels to dry and you will be good.

 

The owner's manuel is correct, however there are wash mitts (like the sheepskin already mentioned) that are not "tight-napped or rough cloths". Basically you don't want anything that will rub the dirt across the paint, you want something that will take the dirt into it's material, but also release it easily when rinsed out in your wash bucket.

 

Thank you very much for the info. Lambs wool is the way I will go for washing (probably two, one for the lower half and the other for the upper as recommended in one the stickys). BTW the cotton towels were made in the US with no polyester. I still plan to use the towels for waxing/polishing per instructions from Zaino.

rsly33, I take it then that you prefer the microfibre towels for drying over a chamois.

 

I've been using one of those wool mits on my dark blue max for a while now and I love the way it comes out. I use microfiber to try, comes out lookin sexah!