Last Updated October 11, 2024
When it comes to drying your car after a car wash, you’ll see people use all types of towels: microfiber towels, cotton towels — even beach towels, unfortunately. Obviously, some towels are going to be safer for drying your car’s paint than others.
But what about chamois? You may have heard about this type of cloth as an option for car drying before, typically from those in the world of classic and antique vehicles. You may have also heard it’s a little more difficult to use than microfiber towels.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between chamois cloth and microfiber cloth, address whether chamois can scratch your car, and explain why microfiber towels are the better choice for most car owners.
What Is a Chamois?
Genuine chamois cloth is made from the leather of the chamois, a European mountain goat. However, synthetic chamois made from synthetic material are more common today.
Both versions are known for their absorbency, making them popular for drying cars. A chamois absorbs a large volume of water, helping to prevent water spots after a car wash.
Despite its absorbency, a chamois dry process requires frequent wringing, which can be tedious. Moreover, natural chamois can degrade over time, becoming less effective and prone to scratching. You should never use an old chamois.
What Is Microfiber?
Microfiber towels are made from a blend of synthetic fibers, usually polyester and polyamide. The fibers in these towels are incredibly fine—often thinner than the diameter of a silk thread—which gives them superior absorbency and cleaning power. These towels can trap dirt particles and remove moisture from the car’s surface without leaving streaks or scratches.
Microfiber towels come in various textures and styles, including waffle weave drying towels, which are particularly effective for absorbing large amounts of water while minimizing friction on the paint. Unlike chamois, microfiber cloth can be machine washable, making them convenient and long-lasting.
Do Chamois Scratch Paint?
A common concern when drying a car with a chamois cloth—whether leather chamois or synthetic—is whether it will scratch the paint. The short answer is yes, chamois towels can potentially cause fine scratches if not used correctly. Here’s why:
- Trapped Dirt Particles: Chamois towels lack the ability to trap dirt particles within the fibers, meaning any debris left on the car’s surface can be dragged across the paint, leading to fine scratches. This is especially problematic on dark colored cars, where scratches are more visible.
- Lack of Cushion: Chamois cloths, whether natural or synthetic, don’t offer the same cushioned protection that microfiber towels do. Microfiber towels have a soft, plush texture that minimizes friction, while a chamois may drag across the surface, causing micro-abrasions.
- Improper Chamois Care: A chamois that has not been properly maintained may be stiff and rough enough to scratch the paint as you drag it across the surface.
Why Microfiber Towels Are Better for Most Car Owners
For most car owners, microfiber towels provide a safer, more effective option for drying your vehicle after a car wash. Here are the key reasons why microfiber is superior to chamois:
- Superior Absorbency: Microfiber towels, especially the waffle weave microfiber towel, can hold a significant amount of water per square meter compared to a chamois cloth. This reduces the need for frequent wringing and speeds up the drying process.
- Gentle on Paint: The synthetic fibers in microfiber towels are designed to lift and trap dirt particles, rather than dragging them across the paint. This helps prevent scratches and protects your vehicle’s finish.
- Machine Washable: Microfiber towels are machine washable, making them easy to care for and more durable over time. However, it’s essential not to use fabric softener when washing microfiber, as it can damage the fibers and reduce their absorbency.
- Versatility: Microfiber towels can be used for a variety of tasks beyond drying, including waxing, polishing, and interior cleaning. In contrast, chamois towels are limited primarily to drying.
- Durability: Microfiber towels maintain their effectiveness over time, whereas old chamois can lose their absorbency and become stiff, making them less suitable for drying.
How to Use a Chamois to Dry a Car
If you still prefer to use a chamois cloth for drying, here’s how to do it properly to avoid scratches and ensure a streak-free finish:
- Soak and Wring: Begin by soaking the chamois in clean water and wringing it out. A damp chamois is more effective than a dry one.
- Lay and Pull: Lay the chamois flat on the car’s surface and gently pull it across to absorb water. Avoid dragging the chamois harshly, as this can cause scratches, especially if dirt remains on the surface.
- Wring Frequently: Wring the chamois frequently during the drying process to keep it absorbent.
- Check for Water Spots: After drying each section, inspect for any water spots and go over those areas again if necessary.
- Maintenance: After use, wash the chamois thoroughly by hand or in a washing machine with clean water. Proper care of a chamois is essential to maintain its softness and absorbency.
Conclusion
While chamois towels have been used for car drying for many years, they may not be the best option for most car owners today. The risk of fine scratches, the need for frequent wringing, and the difficulty in trapping dirt particles make them less effective compared to microfiber towels.
For most car owners, microfiber is the better choice. It offers superior absorbency, is gentle on paint, and is versatile for multiple car care tasks. Waffle weave microfiber towels, in particular, provide a fast, safe, and streak-free drying experience, making them an essential tool in your car detailing kit.
Whether you choose a genuine chamois or a synthetic chamois, or make the switch to microfiber, knowing the advantages and limitations of each material will help you make the best choice for your car’s care.
Interesting that you show a synthetic material and not a natural chamois in your picture. There is nothing more gentle than a genuine chamois. Did you know that genuine chamois are used to clean the finest camera lenses and is a preferred eye glass cleaner because it will not scratch?
You’re right that the photo is of a synthetic chamois, but in the article we really are talking about natural chamois, particularly when discussing maintenance. Sorry for the confusion.
And the problem with using a chamois on an automotive finish isn’t so much about the softness of the material itself, but rather the suction between the chamois and the paint which can trap particles that could potentially cause a scratch.
I agree with Lovemycar. I have used natural chamois for decades without any issues. I was curious about microfiber though and bought a top microfiber brand to try, the Cobra Guzzler. I was impressed with the towel at first, but after only 5 or 6 uses it began leaving small scratches on my cars finish, which is a bummer considering the cost of the towel. I machine washed it after each car wash (which was a pain) and still had issues. So, I have since gone back to my 3 year old chamois that is reliable and safe on my finish, and in my opinion, much easier to maintain than the MF towel.
1) maintenance that you say is a total pain with a chamois: Actually entails rinsing the chamois in warm water, no soap needed (quick, as chamois’ will release dirt easily upon wringing out) and then hang after you wring it. That’s it.
Maintenance with a microfiber towel: Must machine wash, since microfiber will trap dirt and not release it, which is also why many people use multiple microfiber towels to dry their car, since otherwise it will scratch the car. Machine wash should be cold water, as hot water will destroy it. Machine wash requires special cleanser, since many detergents, chemicals, and fabric softener swill destroy it. Cannot wash with towels, or anything with lint, otherwise it’ll cause problems with the microfiber. So, unless you are a pro detailer, you’re doing a wash for 1-2 microfiber towels EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU WASH YOUR CAR. Then, you have to dry them alone in the dryer on low heat, since heat will destroy the microfiber. I honestly don’t know how this is easy (and costs you in water electric bills), and simply rinsing a chamois in warm water and wringing out to air dry is a “total pain”. I’m guessing you’re either a masochist, or just sadistic? And that rinsing of the cod oil is hand washing with a mild soap once, and even that’s easy. If you think that’s hard, rest assured it’s going to only happen once every 5-10 years, since a chamois will last essentially forever if you care for it like I said in the first paragraph (rinse and dry)
All detailers will never recommend a chamois , they have a point as it has more chance of scratching the paint , it’s not the chamois that causes the scratch but dirt particles but if you use a microfibre then it’s a lot safer as the dirt particles won’t sit on top of the microfibre but will go inside the fibres so it won’t run and scratch the paint , I don’t know about maintenance but microfibre is a lot safer for paint
Also, for natural chamois there is Knap, which traps dirt and particles, it’s a natural surface and is not an actual flat surface like synthetic chamois, it has pores, crevices, etc. (you may want to research this, but then again, as a detailer, you know I’m correct, but 1) you can’t sell a constant supply of chamois’ when they last for 5-10 years when cared for correctly [microfiber loses effectiveness and will scratch in time] 2) you can’t sell drying towel cleaning supplies for chamois
A synthetic chamois will drag dirt particles and scratch. A synthetic chamois will drag suction. A synthetic chamois will push water off the car (like a squeegee). A natural chamois absorbs the water before it will push it, and will retain the dirt and particles easily, but release them easily upon wringing out, and be just as absorbent after (a microfiber will not release the particles, and will scratch the surface, which is why you must machine wash every time you wash the car). A microfiber is also less absorbent once wet, it will release some water, but not all. And a waffle weave which is more absorbent and much better for trapping dirt in the Knap than a typical microfiber towel, will stretch and deform if you try to wring out the water, so probably will need 2.
As for having a small rock under any drying towel, yes, this could be a problem, but I don’t know many people that place small rocks on their cars after washing it. If you have a small rock on your car before you dry it: 1) Your hateful neighbor placed the rock their, or less likely 2) You didn’t wash the car, or it would have come off when you A) sprayed down your car before washing B) washed the car with a mitt/sponge C) sprayed off the soap suds. And if you didn’t manage to remove it with any of the above, you may need glasses, especially if you then miss it when standing in front of it, while drying the car within arm’s distance.
Also, when using a chamois, every time you wring it out, it’s releasing dirt, and goes back to its super absorbent state, of absorbing 6x it’s weight I’m water, and leaves the surface of the paint bone dry. A microfiber towel will dry amazing at first, but after a small area, will start to leave water trails on the surface, and when you try to wring it out, will either release no to little water, and will not release the dirt, so it will begin to scratch. So you need a 2nd towel to dry up the water trails left behind, after the once over with the first towel. Not sure how this is really superior.
And another illustration of chamois having Knap, is that when it’s made, they slice the skin in half, so yes, the skin side is smooth, but the other side is the suede side (people know suede has Knap), in addition to the pores and crevices. So, it’s great at trapping dirt.
All the sites you find on the Internet that say chamois are bad, or that microfiber is far superior, are the ones that also happen to be selling microfiber towels and the expensive cleaning supplies. Since, why would a retailer want to sell a chamois, once every 5-20 years, when they could sell 2+ Expensive microfiber towels every 1-2 years, along with all the microfiber cleaning supplies (expensive…not to mention the owners water and electricity bills from washing 2 towels alone in the wash, every single time they wash the car, or risk scratching their car the next car wash), as well as sprays to help dry the car while using a microfiber towel and help it glide better, so it doesn’t scratch the car. The sites that don’t sell them, you’ll quickly be able to find via Google, are just plagiarized versions of microfiber retailer sites. The only exception to this rule is Meguires, that sells both, and they praise the chamois, since they make money regardless of what you choose, so they decided to tell the truth on their car detailing guide. So, if someone offered you a towel that was more absorbent, would go back to full absorbency simply by wringing out, was very gentle and didn’t scratch paint, and releasing dirt at same time (with plenty of Knap to trap dirt), lasted 5-20 years, while towel care consisted of rinsing in warm water, and wringing out, just like you’d do periodically while drying the car. VS a towel that lasted 1-2 years if cared for properly, trapped dirt and wouldn’t release it while drying car, until you machine washed it after (or risk scratching the car, especially towards end of drying, or didn’t wash and dry it properly), had less and less ability to dry the car as you went along, requiring a 2nd towel to dry the water trails, you had to machine wash and dry it every time you washed the car, even though you only had maybe 2 microfiber towels, and had to wash separately from your other clothes/towels, had to buy expensive $30-50 microfiber cleaning “detergent”, couldn’t use fabric softener or other detergents/chemicals, had to wash in cold water so you didn’t damage the fibers, had to dry on no heat preferably, or low heat, taking forever, as well as expensive microfiber drying spray to use on car to make drying easier and glide the towel so it didn’t scratch the car. And the list goes on. If you weren’t told which was which. Which would you choose?
The only thing that’s a pain about a chamois, is the pain Dr. Beasleys wallet feels when you purchase one, vs buying a microfiber towel.
A lot of these complaints are obviated by getting a synthetic chamois, and if is pure absorbency you’re after one of these will leave the microfiber things in the (wet) dust. As for dragging particles of dirt across a car surface: if such exist, you didn’t do a very good job washing and rinsing! This was a hypothetical scenario created just to help the fellow make his case and is fairly lame in retrospect.
Anybody who knows basic chemistry knows that microfiber is lousy at absorbing water. Period. The synthetic materials microfiber is made from are hydrophobic. I don’t understand why anyone would recommend them for drying anything.
Blow dry your car with a cordless leaf blower, then towel dry with soft, 100% cotton hand towels. If you don’t have a leaf blower, pre-dry the car using a soft, clean, all plastic and rubber squeege.
Micro fiber is superb with waxes and polishes. Again, basic chemistry at work here, folks. When you apply waxes and polishes, you want some of it to stay on the surface of the paint. You are not looking for liquid absorption.
Using a car show final finish in spray form will protect the paint between washings.