Best Sponge For Washing Cars

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Cellulose sponges absorb water very well and hold a lot of water but they seem to have fine pores and I was wondering if the fine pores trap grit and then scratch paint. Here is an example of a cellulose sponge
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C51%7C2303331%7C2303335&id=1192464

The peanut shaped car wash sponges seem to be coarser and hold a lot less water. Here is an example
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/sundance-peanut-sponge-0398009p.html#.VrvRzfkrLyE

Which sponge should I use?

BTW above the belt line I use microfiber clothes when washing. The sponge is for the more grimy areas under the belt line
 
Skip the sponges and get a sheep wool mitt. They will last a lifetime if cared for. I have 2 that are 10-20 years old.
We use the original German Shamwow to help dry.
Same thing . Bought them years ago . Still like new.
 
I use my kid's pants/shirts for washing cars/oil rags. Supply is good and steady
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You actually want a BRUSH to wash a car.

A horsehair brush double the size of a show polishing brush. Soapy water flows out of it taking the grit with it.

Sponges' holes hold onto dirt and you scratch the car. It's unavoidable.

My washing brush came with a serial number.
 
George7941 said:
Cellulose sponges absorb water very well and hold a lot of water but they seem to have fine pores and I was wondering if the fine pores trap grit and then scratch paint. Here is an example of a cellulose sponge
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C51%7C2303331%7C2303335&id=1192464

The peanut shaped car wash sponges seem to be coarser and hold a lot less water. Here is an example
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/sundance-peanut-sponge-0398009p.html#.VrvRzfkrLyE

Which sponge should I use?

I am really particular on what touches my Corvette paint(Clear Coat).After lots of trial and error I found these Micro fiber rinseless wash mitts.I've got two of these,love them.

http://www.autogeek.net/rinseless-wash-mitt.html
 
Ive used grouse sponges forever. Specifically the German made ones from HD.

After every single panel, the sponge gets washed under high pressure until pristinely clean, before being returned to the bucket. This helps prevent any grit from getting in the bucket or onto the next panel.
 
You're going to get a lot of opinions on this one - but IMO, the answer depends on the type of washing (traditional or rinseless) and how dirty the vehicle is.

The Optimum Big Red Sponge works okay for rinseless, but is not my favorite since it is difficult for the sponge to conform to the tight areas.

The microfiber mitt from Microfiber tech or the blue "dreadlocks" style mitts are the two that have worked best for me.

The most important part is to use a grit-guard, and to dip frequently into the solution. Always machine wash or manually wash out your mitt after every wash to ensure that your mitt stays clean.
 
I use this wool mitt when the cars don't have sand or grit on them. It does a great job and is very gentle.
https://www.detailersdomain.com/collections/wash/products/uber-genuine-wool-wash-mitt-v2

When the cars are dirtier I use a mitt which is a regular sponge enclosed in a cotton shell.

As The Critic said above, more important than the mitt is probably a grit guard. Regardless of what you're washing with, the ability to get the dirt and grit separate from your main wash water so you don't reintroduce it to the finish is crucial.
http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard.html
 
Yes, some of those brushes can be very soft, and some do complain about that kind of brush, too, for that reason. Unfortunately, though, many of the synthetic brushes out there are no gentler than a push broom.
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