Dylan06SS

Recent threads cropping up on various boards inspired me to do a mini write-up to illustrate the fact that not all microfiber is created equal. Variations in component ratios (polyamide and polyester) methods of production, density, fiber length, etc all play an important part in the construction of a quality towel. THINGS TO AVOID - Low ratio towels: Typically cheap towels, sold in bulk, at discount stores and you'll know simply by looking at the tag. A ratio of polyamide and polyester of 80/20 or lower will typically not be a paint safe towel. Some cheaper chinese made towels will be as low as 90/10!! Not fit for touching your paint, probably not even fit to use as toilet paper for that matter!! Good towels will have a ratio in the 60/40 or even 70/30 range. Tags: Sewn in tags are a NO NO! The tag itself as well as the thread used to sew it into the seem are both potential ares for scratches and swirls to appear. Simply ripping the tag off doesn't alleviate the problem in most cases as the seem will still have hard nylon thread there. Just say no to sewn in tags. Hot wire cuts: Towels produced in bulk are typically hot wire cut by the thousands leading to hard scratchy edges. The materials that compose a microfiber are man-made and melt at high heat, so by utilizing hot wire cutting these edges are melted into solid hard plastic like pieces. The melting and heat can impact the towels as far as a 1/4" or more into the face of the towel leaving you with very scratchy fibers. Short fibers: With extremely short fibers you lose any density in the towel and thus the ability to allow dust, polish residue, or surface contamination to retreat into the towel. Short fiber towels will generally be less effective, take more wipes, and leave streaks when removing products. Thats not to say a short fiber towel is useless, just not good for paint or delicate surfaces. Keep short fiber towels for glass cleaning and other non delicate surfaces. THATS ALL FINE AND DANDY, BUT WHERE'S THE PROOF? - There is a simple test anyone can perform at home to determine if their towels are safe for use on paint. All you need is a clean, blank, DVD-R or DVD-RW and good lighting. The writable surface of a DVD has very similar properties to clear coat in that if it is scratched by one a towel, that towel will most likely swirl up paint. STEP ONE: I carefully removed a blank DVD from its packaging and inspect for existing scratches or scuffs on the recordable side of the disc - STEP 2: I determine what towels I'd be testing. For this writeup we'll be testing an Adams Double-Soft Premium microfiber towel vs. a common over the counter Chinese made bulk towel found at many local stores. According to the sewn in tag the ratio is 80/20. Both were fresh out of their packaging, never used, never washed. STEP 3: I marked each side of the disc to avoid any confusion about what towel had touched what side of the disc being sure to avoid touching the surface with my hands. STEP 4: Wrapping the Adam's towel around my finger I applied a liberal amount of pressure to the disc then proceeded to wipe vertically a total of 3 times. STEP 5: The same process was repeated with the BRAND X towel on the other side of the disc. STEP 6: Being careful not to touch the face of the disc I did a quick inspection under normal light. Even without the aid of my flash it was obvious that the BRAND X side was a little worse for wear. STEP 7: Firing my flash off directly into the center of the disc showed the real results. The light scratches from just 3 passes of the towel on the BRAND X side are noticeable while the Adams Double Plush side is scratch free!!

Depends on what you'll be using it for - Drying? Polish/Wax Removal? Dusting? Interior? Etc. I'll post up a writeup I did on quality MF vs. the cheap-o stuff you get for $5 in a 30 pack at costco, I'll link the thread here so we don't clog this all up. EDIT: and here ya go! http://www.silveradoss.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67012

SAVE BIG ON EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE NEW FLEX POLISHER KITS, NEW SEVERE SWIRL REMOVER, AND FLEX POLISHING PAD SYSTEM!! USE THE CODE PRESALE2010 AT CHECKOUT AND SAVE 15%, NO MINIMUMS, NO GIMMICKS!! ALL NEW PRESALE ITEMS WILL BEGIN SHIPPING WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17th FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, GET YOUR ORDER IN NOW AND SAVE BEFORE THE HOLIDAY RUSH!! WE DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT THE PORTER CABLE GUYS EITHER, PICK UP THE NEW SEVERE SWIRL REMOVER AND PC PAD FOR A GREAT PRICE!! Want to know more about he latest additions to our lineup? Check out the video below to see how easy perfection can be! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqM48pcZQVY

For some, but not all finishes. You'd want to avoid APC on polished aluminum and some types of powdercoat and flat paint. Its also best used to clean petroleum / silicone based contamination (road tar, old tire dressings, etc) so ideally you'd be using APC on the rubber, in the fender wells, etc. Then using GWC on the wheels themselves. GWC is specifically formulated to go after carbon metallic (brake dust) and similar contamination resulting in less scrubbing. $12.95 @ retail (16oz), but with your forum discounts $11.66

I hope not, that stuffs only for the rubber and is like acid to aluminum wheels.

Wednesday 11/10 - Gallon of Adam's Detail Spray with a FREE 16oz, 4oz, & Refill Funnel!! SilveradoSS.com Price - $35.96 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout

Whites?? Don't think I've ever heard of a wheel cleaner called 'whites'

Adam's GREEN Wheel Cleaner is a 100% water-based cleaner that safely and effectively cleans tires and all types of wheels! Adam's GREEN Wheel Cleaner takes advantage of new breakthroughs in chemical engineering, creating a new class of non-ionic cleaner that does not release harmful zwitterions. Adam's GREEN Wheel Cleaner quickly and safely cleans tires and all types of wheels including clear coated, painted, aluminum, polished and anodized. The active ingredient in this cleaner was developed in America to replace the acids, butyl and butyl ethers found in most tire and wheel cleaning products, which have been proven harmful to both wheels and nature. It's an unfortunate fact that most wheel cleaners made and sold in America contain butyl or butyl ether. Although butyl is a highly effective cleaner, as well as inexpensive, it is harmful to man and the environment. Plus, butyl will white-stain aluminum and damage clear coated wheels and powder coating finishes. Butyl is also very harsh on your skin, causes respiratory distress when inhaled, and it is not readily biodegradable. It contains no butyl or petroleum distillates! Plus, our new GREEN Wheel Cleaner biodegrades 98% in less than 24 hours, protecting our surface waters from polluted storm drain runoff. BEFORE: AFTER: *special thanks to Jim (Nordgrey) for the great pictures.

Tuesday 11/9 - Adam's Green Wheel Cleaner Gallon w/ a FREE Fender Brush!! SilveradoSS.com Price - $31.46 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout

Monday 11/8 - Adam's Green Clean Powerstick w/ a FREE 6oz Metal Polish!! SilveradoSS.com Price - $35.96 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout

No problem... enjoy it and please be sure to post a review if you can!

The truth of the matter is that its just a really low grade hide and unless you own a bentley, rolls royce, or other uber high end vehicle you're never going to actually TOUCH leather in your interior. I believe the back seat isn't even leather... I'm fairly certain the back bench in my 2004 was 100% vinyl. All the major manufactures for a long time now have been apply a clear urethane coating to the leather, the reason is 2 fold: 1) Aesthetics. The leather used is pocked, scarred, uneven, and lumpy b/c it comes from low grade hides. To mask those imperfections the urethane product is sprayed on like stucco texturing. Even then in some cases you'll see all the flaws. The drivers seat in my TBSS had marks that looked like someone had put out cigarettes on the skin of the cow they used to make mine. 2) Durability. Most people buying a $20, $30, $40, even $80,000 vehicle won't take proper care of the interior. As a result the seats will fade, discolor, stretch, etc. and they (manufactures) would end up replacing interiors under warranty due to consumer incompetence. The urethane coating is low maintenance and will withstand lack of care for much longer without showing signs of failure like a raw leather surface would. The hides used in REALLY high end interiors that actually are uncoated leather come from cows that are raised in pens without barbed wire or thorn bushes. They're processed differently and handled differently... and the cost reflects that. But, I digress... b/c there isn't actual LEATHER to be cared for in your interior you don't need a leather specific product. You need products to clean and protect the surfaces, but adding lanolin (animal fat) like many brands of products do, or oils, or claiming to "feed" the leather is a bunch of BS. The stuff you'll be applying to your seats will never come into direct contact with actual leather, it will simply be riding along on top of that urethane coating. Thats why our 'leather products' are both called "Leather & INTERIOR Cleaner or Conditioner" You can use them on every hard surface of the interior like door panels, the dash, seats, arm rests, etc. Our conditioner has an SPF 65 so it does a fantastic job of doing the most important job - keeping your interior protected from UV fade. Also it dries to a nice low gloss finish and doesn't feel greasy or oily like a lot of the lanolin or silicone based products do.

Dude, we're headquartered in BOULDER COLORADO!! We've had about a dozen events at the warehouse this year already. Camaro clubs, Sky/Soltice Clubs, Porshe Clubs, Mustang Clubs, Mini cooper clubs, and open invites to all makes and models!!

We're down to do a clinic almost anywhere if there is interest... I even fly out for them regularly. The only one I have on my calender right now is Scottsdale AZ shortly after the beginning of the year... if you have a venue and enough people interested I'm down to do a clinic.

No more pics of the detail or the truck until the article hits... sorry... heres a couple more shots of mine to tide you over

Wednesday 11/3 - Gallon of Adam's Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner w/ a Bonus 16oz Bottle and FREE SHIPPING!! SilveradoSS.com Price - $26.96 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout

One more for now. Bits and pieces of this truck have been in the magazine as its been built up... different tech articles, etc. The issue with my detail should be in there around March, just in time for everyone to get inspired to pull the toys out of storage for spring cleanup

alright guys, you should have all gotten emails with the info about the detail spray, tracking will be emailed shortly after when the orders are packed and shipped. Enjoy and thanks for playing!! More give aways coming soon

LOL... you guys don't waste any time. Each of you please email me with your shipping address and contact info: [email protected] If you've ordered online or over the phone before include your customer ID number.

The first 3 forum members to post a picture of their SS or VHO and the following text: "SHOW ME MY SHINE POTENTIAL!!" Will get a FREE 16oz bottle of Adam's Detail Spray... no strings attached. Just be one of the first three to post a picture with the phrase and you win!

Tuesday 11/2 - Adam's All Purpose Cleaner Collection: (1) Gallon, (1) 16oz, (1) 4oz - for one price!! SilveradoSS.com Price - $26.96 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout

Monday 11/1 - Adam's Green Wheel Cleaner Gallon w/ a FREE 16oz and FREE E-Z Fill Funnel!! SilveradoSS Price - $31.46 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout

We've done New Jersey 2 or 3 times this year, Carlisle PA at least 5 times... generally they happen pretty early in the spring season so we're guaranteed good weather.

Forgot to put this up here for you guys... rain or shine at west coast corvettes...

Friday 10/29 - Adam's Super VRT Kit w/ a FREE In & Out Spray!! SSS.com Price - $35.96 - use the code SUPERSPORT at checkout