The microfiber guide

The EsthAuto forum provides you, via Maniac-Auto, with all the explanations needed to understand Detailing.
Many thanks to all those who make up this forum. 

1. General information
2. Definition
3. In detailing
4. The different microfibers
5. Choosing well
6. Usage tips
7. Care
8. Conclusion

1. General information

Microfibers. Under this term, widely used in detailing, one can easily get lost.
There is still much to learn in order to use the right microfiber appropriately for each detailing step and the surface to be maintained.
Microfiber: who doesn't know this term?
Even today it is not uncommon to see people wiping and maintaining their cars using old T-shirts and other worn garments, paper towels, and other unsuitable textiles.
You also see people using one single microfiber from start to finish during their 'detailing', preferably rough and completely unsuitable for any good detailer.

Microfibers are textile fibers whose linear density (or count) is less than one decitex (1g/10km).
This corresponds to a diameter of less than 9 micrometers.
They can be artificial or synthetic (polyester, polyamide, acrylic, etc.).
They appeared in the 1980s, when polyester had gone out of fashion.

There are also super-microfibers with a count below 0.4 decitex and ultra-microfibers with a count below 0.1 decitex.

Microfiber is generally the name given to cloths made of ultra-fine fibers of extraordinary softness.
Microfibers have today become indispensable for wiping, polishing, and washing all surfaces.
A microfiber is a very fine filament, by the numbers:
- 2 times finer than silk.
- 3 times finer than wool.
- 8 times finer than cotton.
- 100 times finer than a hair. Some dense microfibers are 200 times finer than a hair.
Microfibers enhance the removal and absorption of soiling thanks to their small diameter, a cross-section presenting sharp angles, and their multi-blade effect.
Residues are thus removed by successive fibers.
Their composition in general is a combination of Polyester and Nylon (Polyamide).

The advantages:

- Absorbing dirt easily into the mesh of the fiber.
- Microfiber can absorb 7 to 8 times its weight in water.
- Its design makes it lint-free.
- Light and compact, soft and very durable.
- Allows you to do without chemical cleaning products in many cases (e.g.: damp MF on glass without product).

4. The different microfibers

Types of microfibers according to their uses. There are several types of microfiber accessories for automotive cleaning:
- Mitts
- Applicators
- Sponges
- Wiping MFs

Each type has its own characteristics depending on its thickness, composition, and presentation.

A. So-called 'Universal' Microfiber:

This microfiber is basic.
It is designed to be multi-surface: polished, painted, plastic, glass, carpet surfaces . . .
Sold in mass-market retail (auto centers, supermarkets), it is often of inferior quality.
Advantages: the price, often very low, and it is easy to find.
Disadvantage: lesser thickness, poor durability in use and through washes, rough.
Therefore not recommended for bodywork: it causes micro-scratches.

B. Polishing Microfiber:

This microfiber is thicker and softer.
It is perfect for removing polishing residues.
It traps particles within its fibers.
Its softer side allows more pressure to be applied safely to the bodywork while avoiding micro-scratches.

C. Drying Microfiber:

It is generally offered in a larger size.
This microfiber 'towel' is suited for drying wet surfaces such as the bodywork after a wash.
Its texture is waffle-patterned, which provides high absorbency (can absorb up to 10 times its weight in water).
Indeed, this texture allows water to be drawn more easily into its fibers and trapped, while continuing to absorb the remaining water.

D. Microfiber for glass surfaces:

This is a microfiber specifically developed and adapted for windows and mirrors.
Its texture makes it easy and effective to remove dirt, limescale, and fingerprints from glass surfaces and mirrors.
Leaves no cleaning or wiping marks.
It has a specific texture and structure: it absorbs, lifts, and degreases these surfaces. More electrostatic.

E. Microfiber accessories:

More than just being used as 'cloths', microfibers are omnipresent in detailing, particularly in accessories such as:
- The mitt
- The sponge
- Applicators
- Bonnets

The mitt:
The mitt is an important element (like everything else for that matter).
If poorly chosen, of poor quality, or too worn from improper care, it will be more harmful than beneficial.

The sponge:
There are also microfiber sponges.
As a replacement or complement to the mitt. Same recommendations.

Applicator pads:

They can help apply certain products such as a Glaze, an AIO, or a Cleaner.
Also useful for interiors. There are also interior microfiber mitts.

Bonnets:
They are designed to be used with a polisher.
Their use is however debated and contested in the world of detailing.


5. Choosing well

Not easy for the uninitiated.
There are various methods of varying effectiveness.
The Compact Disc technique for example: simply rub a CD with the microfiber and check if micro-scratches have been made.
Esthauto is here to help you with your specific choices.
By choosing only from the major detailing brands, there is little risk of disappointment.
Silk edges and seams are a mark of quality.
Same for microfibers with no edges and laser-cut.

Other elements must be taken into account: fiber height, density, and size.

6. Usage tips

Here too, certain rules must be respected.
To achieve the best wiping performance, you should wipe in a given direction rather than in circles (risk of redepositing contaminants).
To achieve a perfect wipe, work in small sections.
Slide the microfiber in one direction: to remove polish residues and avoid back-and-forth motion (risk of micro-scratches).
If you cover too large a surface without changing the wiping area of the microfiber by flipping it, it will quickly become contaminated.
Like any detailing element, no contact with the ground or vegetation. Replace it immediately to continue detailing.

7. Care

No guide would be complete without talking about the care of these precious cloths.
And since we are perfectionists, it goes without saying that you should take good care of your equipment.

New microfibers:
Do not use them right away.
A preliminary wash is mandatory.
First wash cold (30°C max), by hand or machine.

Used microfibers:
Colored microfibers: "Synthetic" program (between 30°C and 60°C).
White microfibers: "Synthetic" program (between 30°C and 70°C).

In all cases:
Never use fabric softener, chlorine, or bleach.
Of course, do not iron the microfibers.
Preferably, avoid the dryer (air dry them).
Prefer a liquid detergent. As opposed to a powder detergent.

There are also specific products to remove stains and clean them.

8. Conclusion

To conclude, keep in mind: 1 Product = 1 microfiber.
Do not use multiple products with the same microfiber.