[kshapiro]

Three weeks ago, I bought a P21S Drying Towel at the show at Carlisle. Comes in a little plastic box that says "lasts for years". Well, it made it to three weeks, and is literally falling apart. It looks like I'd been drying rocks with it...has slices all over it, and is basically cut into three parts after 6-7 uses.

I have an old (like eight years) synthetic chamois that works perfectly. I wish I knew who made it.

So, what do you all swear by?

[gromit]

Stolen hotel towels.
Well laundered with no fabric softner sheets in dryer.

[chiph]

Product called "The Absorber". I've had a couple of them for years now - whenever they get grubby, just toss them in the clothes washer.

Chip H.

[erazo]

My wife keeps throwing out our old bath towels when they get frayed or she no longer likes the color. I salvage them and store them in the garage. Great for drying the car or the dog. I throw them in the washer when she's not looking.

[Garfield]

The absorbtion of the P-21S towel is definitely better than the "Absorber". I've run them back to back and was amazed that there could be so much of a difference.
BUT, my "Absorber" has been working for years. My P-21S towel has been in service for a couple of years, but began flaking a little right after I got it. I still use it though, it's not a big deal.
Now yours, on the other hand, sounds like a defect. It shouldn't be that bad.

If the P-21S continues to work this well, I'll just buy another, it easily beats the others in soaking up water.

[EdGTI]

Go with the Absorber. I sell both at my store and have never had an Absorber returned to us. P21S makes great products don't get me wrong. Their wheel cleaner is the only way to go.

[kshapiro]

Well...I got an exchnage on that P21S drying towel, and this one seems fine...truly an incredible drying towel. In fact, it absorbs so well it's kind of hard to get it moving over the surface of the car...it kinda sucks itself down onto the surface. A GREAT product. My first one was some kind of defect.

[paddy]

Only white all cotton towels

[Sealevel]

My neighbor has a silicon rubber squeegee made especially for this. I borrowed it, used it very carefully as I was concerned about possible harm to the finish. Worked very well, was soft and pliable, and removed the bulk of the water leaving much less work for the Absorber. Think I'll add one to the cleaning gear.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by Garfield
The absorbtion of the P-21S towel is definitely better than the "Absorber". I've run them back to back and was amazed that there could be so much of a difference.
BUT, my "Absorber" has been working for years. ...

I was getting unhappy with my Absorber, so I bought a new one after trying (unsuccessfully) to dry my MINI with one of those silicone 'blades' (too much work dealing with the MINI's body curves for my taste )

It turns out my 4+ year old Absorber (!) had gotten progressively worse - the new Absorber works wonderfully.

[paddy]

Sealevel,
Are you talking about a Califonia Water Blade???

[Sealevel]

Quote:

Originally posted by paddy
Sealevel,
Are you talking about a Califonia Water Blade???

Borrowed it, don't know if it was the "real deal" but probably just like it. Not real good on the curved sections as mentioned, a shorter version might work better, but liked it particularly well for getting the excess off the windows, black roof & sunroof quickly.

[noahe]

I use a real english chamois. Am I stuck in the dark ages or something?

[wingspan]

California Water Blade and 2 synthetic chamois I bought at a show at a Sandown race course car show one year. The chirpy Cockney selling them gave such a good show at how good they worked ("at only a fiver, gov!") that I got two. True to his word (?) they've now lasted over eight years...

mag

[kcmini]

The Absorber. You can get em at WalMart or your car parts place.

We use em for everything. Work great for drying the tiles in our shower, etc. I even quit using my sponge for general car washing and use the Absorber instead.

Washing machine will shorten their life. Just rinse in vinegar every so often and they are good to go.

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by kcmini
Washing machine will shorten their life. Just rinse in vinegar every so often and they are good to go.

Huh?



Balsamic, or Apple Cider vinegar?


Chip H.

[Mike Clarke]

Tried all the synthetics and nothing beats a genuine chamois
Just wash the car in warm water and use a clean chamois to dry it with - no streaks - perfect finish Wash the chamois in a pure soap now and then and rinse it well and it will last forever

[DaveH]

Autoglym synthetic chamois , and Autoglym Hydro blade

www.autoglym.com