Anybody know if the old type large car sponge (with largeish pores similar to a real/natural  sponge) are available anywhere online ?

I have looked around all the local likely places and can only find the really cheap looking  sponges with small pores (similar to the cheap Kent sponges),our cars get very dirty just parked up and I usually give them a quick once over every week.

Everything seems to be microfibre these days but not sure I need to get that technical with 2 old cars

Thanks and rgds YS

Go get technical and get a microfibre type or even a wool wash mitt. Clean much quicker and can be washed afterwards too so will last longer. 

Microfiber all the way, I have a couple, not particularly expensive. As for the age of the car I don't see what difference it makes, if the paint is in decent condition try and keep it that way.

I just regularly buy sponges from Wilko/home bargains a few at a time and chuck them away or demote to wheels/dirty work after a few washes. 

I would hate to see the state of your paintwork 

I will have to give it some thought LOL,the sponges I had in mind were good quality - not the el cheapo looking ones which seem to be the only choice in the shops now etc.

I cannot see that a good quality soft sponge would necessarily damage paintwork - as long as sufficient water/shampoo is used of course - and that will still apply to using microfibre as well.

Funnily enough the older car (2002) has better paintwork than the fabia (2009) but mostly because the previous fabia owner appears to have worn much hand/arm jewellery and has a myriad of small scratches :(

Only one that comes to mind is from Dodo - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/dodo-juice-supernatural-wash-sponge/prod_975.html

 

I just think there's more inherent risk with a sponge, compared to a washmitt due to its construction. It's much more likely to trap debris/contaminants between the bodywork and the top surface of the sponge, even if it's a more expensive natural-type with a more open construction.

A washpad can be a decent compromise as well, as some people don't like the fact you wear a washmitt. So you can use one of these in the exact same way and approach you would with a sponge, but with less risk.

 

e.g. https://www.prestigecarcareshop.com/collections/wash-dry/products/adams-professional-car-wash-pad

I was warned off sponges a few years ago and have been using mitts since. This one from Halfords is nice:

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/sponges-brushes-buckets/halfords-wash-mitt

 

You don't have to wear it (I don't) and it carries plenty of water to the car. Two different sides for different purposes. Priced right. After several washes (washing the car and getting washed in the machine) it shows no sign of wear.

 

I also like a Farécla G3 Professional Body Prep Clay Mitt. I used it to wash the car before a polish or wax. I can feel it working as it lifts the dirt off. Nice.

Yep, just nice to have options. In terms of the Halfords option, I'll only use non merino wool washmitts on wheels and lower sills. But that's probably just me 

 

We are in the Car Care section here, so I feel my OCD is safe here 

Thanks for all the answers guys - much appreciated and I will look at all the recommendations tomorrow

 

rgds YS

2 hours ago, Wardy said:

 

 

We are in the Car Care section here, so I feel my OCD is safe here 

Probably LOL 

microfibre and shaggy mitts arent the only option - for years I have been using grout sponges from B&Q. The feel firm at first but once soaked and used they become very very soft and are easier to rinse and keep clean during use than any mitt. Just put one in water over night before its first use and its really really soft and good to go. £1 each as well and I've used the same one for the last 2 years week in week out.

 

I've been seriously detailing 10 years, including semi professionally, and used a grout sponge for most of that. My cars are not swirled and marked, and my 3 yr old dark grey 40k miles Superb has yet to need a polish since I did it the week I got it new. 

stay away from sponges, go deep pile microfiber or my choice would be lambs wool mitt.

 

and if possible snow foam to start  + Korrosol/ iron x

On 2017-5-14 at 20:26, Bigpikle said:

microfibre and shaggy mitts arent the only option - for years I have been using grout sponges from B&Q. The feel firm at first but once soaked and used they become very very soft and are easier to rinse and keep clean during use than any mitt. Just put one in water over night before its first use and its really really soft and good to go. £1 each as well and I've used the same one for the last 2 years week in week out.

 

I've been seriously detailing 10 years, including semi professionally, and used a grout sponge for most of that. My cars are not swirled and marked, and my 3 yr old dark grey 40k miles Superb has yet to need a polish since I did it the week I got it new. 

Sorry late reply - we have been away

I did look at this sort of sponge but was not sure how soft they were,so will definitely try one out.

Both cars are fairly old and had marked paint before we got them so not too bothered about going high tech anyway but tbh as long as one keeps the sponge well rinsed and use lots of water/shampoo I have never seen pait/laquer damage from using a sponge.

 

rgds YS

Normally use meguairs microfibre mitt 

 

Used the lambs wool that fell to bits after about 6 months 

 

Just ordered a Adams wash pad 

And will be ordering a microfiber madness incredimitt or a wookie fist 

Started using dooka wash pads about 7 years ago, mine tend to ‘only’ last about 2 ½ years as I do at least two cars at a time and apart from being rinsed after use they are just left neglected (left in the bottom of the bucket until the next wash).

 

Personally I wouldn’t use anything else.

Personally I'd shy away from a sponge for all the reasons mentioned. Check out Dooka wash pads - they are the business. My local detailer recommended them to me and I find them great. They hold loads of water, rinse out great and work well on the stubborn stuff that wasn't removed by pre-wash. 

On 13/06/2017 at 19:33, Gizmo said:

Started using dooka wash pads about 7 years ago, mine tend to ‘only’ last about 2 ½ years as I do at least two cars at a time and apart from being rinsed after use they are just left neglected (left in the bottom of the bucket until the next wash).

 

Personally I wouldn’t use anything else.

 

Newbie error. I honesty just read the OP question and posted.