Towels and applicators
Microfiber is the only thing on this site that touches the paint on every single job, which makes it the cheapest way to ruin a finish and the cheapest way to protect one.
Three types cover almost everything: a plush drying towel, edgeless towels for buffing, and applicators for putting product on. Color-code them by job and never let one that touched a wheel touch paint.
The Rag Company
Eagle Edgeless 500
Edgeless microfiber buffing towels, sold in packs.
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Edgeless matters: a stitched border is a hard edge dragged across soft clear coat.
Product details & buying advice
The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless 500 Detailing Towel, 16x16 in, 4-Pack
Edgeless matters: a stitched border is a hard edge dragged across soft clear coat. Buying a pack means never reaching for a dirty one because it is the only one left.
Consider: Color-code them by job. A towel that has touched wheels should never touch paint.
Product instructions from The Rag CompanyThe alternatives
Same job, different trade-offs.
The Rag Company
Foam Applicator Pads
Foam pads for applying dressings, sealants and coatings.
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Product goes on the applicator, not the panel.
Product details & buying advice
The Rag Company - Ultra No Soak Coating Applicator - Ultra Blue and Ice Grey - 6 Pack - 3 Inch by 5 Inch Applicator Sponge
Product goes on the applicator, not the panel. That single habit is what stops dressing ending up on glass and trim.
Consider: Single-use for coatings. They cure hard and cannot be washed out.
Product instructions from The Rag Company
Autofiber
Amphibian Drying Towel
A twisted-loop towel with a plush side.
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Two surfaces on one towel, which means one fewer thing to buy and to keep track of.
Product details & buying advice
Autofiber Amphibian Dual Microfiber Car Drying Towel - One Side Twist, One Plush - 20 inch x 30 inch, Green/Gray
Two surfaces on one towel, which means one fewer thing to buy and to keep track of.
Consider: Twisted loop wears faster than plush if you use it for buffing as well as drying.
Product instructions from Autofiber
Gyeon
Q²M Suede Applicators
Suede-wrapped applicators for coatings and glass.
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Coatings level far more evenly through suede than foam, which is why professional coating kits include it rather than a sponge.
Product details & buying advice
Gyeon LeatherCleaner Natural Safe Gentle Pre Coating Leather Cleaner 500ml
Coatings level far more evenly through suede than foam, which is why professional coating kits include it rather than a sponge.
Consider: Fiddly and single-use. Buy more than you think.
Product instructions from Gyeon
Chemical Guys
Microfiber Towel Pack
A large multipack of general-purpose towels.
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The right thing to buy for jobs where you do not care about the towel: wheels, door shuts, engine bays, interiors.
Product details & buying advice
Chemical Guys, Professional Microfiber Towels, 16 x 16 in, Gold, 12 Pack
The right thing to buy for jobs where you do not care about the towel: wheels, door shuts, engine bays, interiors.
Consider: Not edgeless and not plush enough for paint. Keep them away from it.
Product instructions from Chemical GuysSeparate microfiber by the job
| Your task | What to look for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Paint drying | Dedicated drying towels | Keep grit and cured coating residue away. |
| Coating leveling | Suitable clean removal towels | Follow coating instructions for handling used towels. |
| Glass, wheels and interior | Separate task-specific towels | Avoid carrying greasy residue or abrasive dirt to paint. |
Plan the purchase and application
- Choose dimensions you can control.
- Keep task groups separate during use and washing.
- Replace a towel during the job if it becomes contaminated.
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Questions
What microfiber towels do I need for a coated car?
The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless 500. Edgeless microfiber buffing towels, sold in packs. Edgeless matters: a stitched border is a hard edge dragged across soft clear coat. Buying a pack means never reaching for a dirty one because it is the only one left.
How many microfiber towels do I need?
More than you think, and color-coded by job. The mistake is running out mid-wash and reaching for the one that did the wheels. A pack of edgeless buffing towels plus two large drying towels covers most cars.
What does edgeless actually mean?
No stitched border. A sewn edge is a hard seam being dragged across soft clear coat, and it is a common source of the fine marring people blame on the towel being cheap. On paint, edgeless is worth the small premium.
How should microfiber be washed?
Separately from normal laundry, warm, with no fabric softener. Softener coats the fibers and destroys their ability to lift anything, which is the entire reason they work.