Bring back sponges!

[thewave]

Bet this got the attention of a few

Right, haven't used a sponge for quite a while, have been using microfibre / lambswool mitts.

However, I have been giving a bit of thought as to using sponges again.

This all seems well and good, as in reality any half decent detailer won't be dragging dirt over paintwork in the first place. My suggestion is that a good rinse with a pressure washer will remove the vast majority of surface contaminants, so there won't be a lot of 'crap' to remove anyway. A good soaking with a foam wash, then rinsed will again remove more stubborn stuff. If you're still nervous, then you could use a mitt with the foam wash on, and rinse regularly in a clean bucket of water.

I then see a sponge as a more effective 'scrubbing' tool to get the bodywork ready, being more effecive at cleaning 'muck / prior products' out where masking products have been used.

However, quick thought....Zymol sponge £5 a pop, or a natural sea sponge (perhaps a bit more expensive)

What's the thought?

[hutchingsp]

I use a natural sea sponge and have also used Grout Sponges from B&Q.

As you say if you do a foam/pre-wash and rinse it out frequently I believe sponges are safe enough, it's just about using common sense IMO.

I'm anal about keeping my car clean but I'm ed if I'm spending half an hour picking bits of crap out of a tangled mitt every time I wash the car.

[belleair302]

I use a Mitt to wash my car when excessively dirty but always have a real sponge handy for quick cleans. Pick one up each year from Tarpon Springs in Florida.....Gulf Coast sponges are the best, no arguement. Not expensive either, 15-20 GBP max.

[evolutionvalet]

I use these,




Great. White material is the same as that used on the PC pads while the rear removes the toughest of bug splatter.
They also do a black one for wheel cleaning too.

Here is the burb,

The Edge wash ShMitt.
By forming a pocket between two layers of their unique foam compositions,B they’ve made a foam wash mitt that retains its shape, sheds dirt and fits your hand like a glove.

The ShMITT is a multi-purpose foam mitt that utilizes a ultra soft soap-retaining foam to wash the car.The ShMITT utilizes material that has already been proven safe and effective on vehicle surfaces because it’s the same foam found in Edge 2000 pads.

Wash with the gentle white foam front. This is the same foam found in the Edge white ultrafine polishing pad. The soft, closed-cell foam sheds dirt, rather than retaining it. Dirty water is able to escape from under the mitt thanks to the convoluted wave surface. Since the dirt is not rubbed into the paint, wash-induced swirls are greatly reduce

Because the ShMITT is made of smooth foam, it will not leave threads or fibers behind on the vehicle. The solid foam mitt maintains its shape through countless uses. The beveled edge allows the ShMITT to clean in crevices and seams easily.

The backside of this ShMITT is made from coarse yellow foam. This foam works well as a spot scrubber to remove insects and tar from your vehicle’s exterior. Use it on lower body panels and problem areas as you wash your vehicle.

So there you have it......should be around £8.99 - £10


Kev