1.0 Product Specifications
CAR GUYS Professional Series 420 GSM Edgeless Microfiber Towel: Included with Hybrid Wax and Liquid Wax kits.
CAR GUYS Professional Series 300 GSM All-Purpose Microfiber Towel: Included with Super Cleaner kits.
CAR GUYS Foam Applicator Pad (Plastic Restorer): Standard closed-cell foam pad. Included with Plastic Restorer kits.
CAR GUYS Car Wax Applicator Pad: Soft satin microfiber application surface, velvet grip with foam core for comfort, interior lined with a plastic water barrier to prevent wax from seeping into the applicator. Included with Liquid Wax kits.
CAR GUYS Tire Shine Applicator: Wedge-shaped applicator with a hard closed-cell foam core for stability, twist loop microfiber brushing surface for product application, and black microfiber mesh handle. Included with Tire Shine kits.
Separate purchase: Replacement towels and applicators are not currently sold separately. Check the CAR GUYS Amazon Store for current availability.
Gallon refills: Gallon (128 oz) bottles do not include sprayers, spray bottles, towels, or applicators. They are strictly for refilling purposes.
2.0 Third-Party Towel Recommendations
For waxing/sealant applications: Use a towel rated at minimum 350 GSM. CAR GUYS towels are 420 GSM — thicker towels reduce the risk of marring and improve product absorption.
For interior cleaning: Use a towel rated at minimum 300 GSM. Softer, lower-pile towels work well for wiping surfaces without leaving lint.
General rule: Thicker and plusher is better. Avoid thin, scratchy, or low-quality towels — they increase the risk of surface scratching, especially on paint.
3.0 Cleaning — Microfiber Towels (Professional Series 420 GSM + 300 GSM)
When to wash: Wash the towel when it becomes visibly soiled. If applying product to a clean vehicle, a single towel can be used for multiple sessions before washing.
Wash separately: Wash microfiber towels only with other microfiber towels. Do not mix with cotton, shop rags, or regular laundry.
Detergent: Regular liquid laundry detergent is sufficient. Dedicated microfiber detergent is available but not required.
Do NOT use fabric softener: Fabric softener coats the microfiber strands and destroys their ability to pick up product and dust. Never use it.
Wash cycle: Hot water, normal cycle.
Drying: Heat is the enemy. Use the "air fluff" or "no heat" dryer setting. If no low-heat option is available, air dry by laying flat or hanging. Do not use high-heat dryer settings — they melt and damage the polyester/polyamide fibers.
Do not use bleach: Bleach degrades microfiber and reduces towel lifespan.
4.0 Cleaning — Foam Applicator Pad (Plastic Restorer)
This section applies to the standard closed-cell foam applicator pad included with Plastic Restorer.
Standard cleaning method: Hand wash with mild soap (dish soap or hand soap) and hot water. Squeeze the pad repeatedly under running water to flush out product. Squeeze out all excess moisture and lay flat to air dry completely.
Must be 100% dry before reuse: Residual water in the foam will dilute the product and negatively impact application performance.
Do not cross-contaminate: Dedicate this pad to Plastic Restorer only. Do not use it for other products. Mixing residues from different formulas can cause poor performance or surface incompatibility.
Storage between uses: Once clean and fully dry, store the pad in a sealed plastic bag to keep it dust-free until next use.
Machine wash option: Foam pads can be washed in a washing machine with microfiber towels, but for a single pad, hand washing is more practical and avoids unnecessary wear.
When to replace: Replace when the pad shows signs of deterioration (crumbling, tearing, loss of shape) or cannot be cleaned to a satisfactory condition. Foam applicator pads are inexpensive and widely available.
Deep Cleaning — Solvent Method (Foam Pads Only)
This is an advanced method for completely removing all sealant, silicone, and polymer residue from standard foam pads. It is not required for routine maintenance — only use this if you need to fully restore a pad to a product-free condition.
Pre-clean: Remove as much product as possible using an all-purpose cleaner (APC) or dedicated pad cleaner. Do not use Dawn or dish soap for this pre-clean step — it will not effectively break down sealant and silicone residues.
Solvent soak: In a small plastic bucket with a lid (1/2 to 1 gallon), mix a 50/50 solution of odorless mineral spirits and isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Submerge the pad just enough to cover it.
Agitate: Wearing rubber/nitrile gloves, agitate the pad in the solution for approximately one minute.
Soak overnight: Place the lid on the bucket and let the pad soak overnight (minimum 8–12 hours).
Rinse: The next day, re-agitate the pad in the solution, then remove it and rinse thoroughly under hot running water. Squeeze repeatedly until water runs clear.
Dry completely: Lay flat to air dry. Pad must be 100% dry before reuse.
Save the solution: The solvent mixture can be reused for multiple cleaning sessions. Store in the sealed bucket between uses.
Safety: Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear rubber or nitrile gloves. Keep away from open flames — mineral spirits are flammable. Do not use near heat sources.
Alternative Deep Cleaning — Hot Water Soak Method
A simpler alternative to the solvent method, though less effective at removing 100% of sealant and silicone residue.
Method: Soak the foam pad in very hot water mixed with Dawn dish soap (or dedicated pad cleaner) for 24 hours. Thoroughly rinse afterward and squeeze out all moisture. Air dry completely before reuse.
Limitation: This method works well for general product buildup but will not fully remove heavy silicone or polymer sealant residue.
5.0 Cleaning — Car Wax Applicator Pad (Liquid Wax)
This section applies to the Car Wax Applicator Pad included with Liquid Wax kits. This applicator has a unique construction: satin microfiber surface, velvet grip, foam core, and an internal plastic water barrier. It requires different care than a standard foam pad.
Clean after every use: Liquid Wax is a polymer sealant that cures and hardens. If left on the applicator surface, it will bond to the microfiber and make the pad stiff and unusable. Clean the applicator promptly after each session — do not let wax dry on the surface.
Standard cleaning method: Rinse the satin microfiber application surface under warm running water. Apply a small amount of mild soap (dish soap or hand soap) and gently work it through the microfiber surface by hand to break down the wax residue. Rinse thoroughly until the surface feels clean and smooth. The internal plastic water barrier prevents water and product from seeping into the foam core, so focus cleaning on the application surface only.
Do NOT soak or submerge for extended periods: A quick rinse and hand wash is sufficient. Extended soaking is unnecessary and may compromise the plastic water barrier's integrity over time. Do not use the solvent deep-clean method on this applicator.
Do NOT machine wash: The multi-material construction (microfiber, velvet, foam, plastic barrier) is not designed for machine washing. Agitation can separate layers and damage the applicator.
Drying: After wiping clean, lay flat in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely before storing.
Storage between uses: Once the surface is wiped clean and dry, store in a sealed plastic bag to keep it dust-free.
Dedicate to Liquid Wax only: Do not use this applicator for other products.
When to replace: Replace when the satin microfiber surface becomes matted, stiff, or no longer applies product evenly, or when the velvet grip deteriorates.
6.0 Cleaning — Tire Shine Applicator (Tire Shine)
This section applies to the wedge-shaped Tire Shine Applicator. This applicator has a twist loop microfiber brushing surface, a hard closed-cell foam core, and a microfiber mesh handle. The microfiber surface requires care similar to microfiber towels, but the foam core means it cannot be machine washed aggressively.
Standard cleaning method: After each use, rinse the twist loop microfiber surface under warm running water while gently squeezing to flush out tire shine product. If residue remains, apply a small amount of mild soap and work it through the microfiber surface by hand. Rinse thoroughly.
Do NOT use fabric softener: Same as microfiber towels — fabric softener coats the twist loop fibers and reduces their ability to hold and distribute product.
Do NOT machine wash: The hard foam core can be damaged by machine agitation. Hand wash only.
Do NOT use the solvent deep-clean method: The multi-material construction (microfiber, foam, mesh) is not designed for solvent soaking.
Drying: Squeeze out excess water gently (do not wring — this can distort the foam core). Lay flat or prop upright in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely. The foam core takes longer to dry than a standard towel — allow extra drying time.
Must be fully dry before reuse: Residual water in the foam core will dilute the tire shine product and reduce performance.
Storage between uses: Once fully dry, store in a sealed plastic bag to keep it dust-free.
Dedicate to Tire Shine only: Do not use this applicator for other products.
When to replace: Replace when the twist loop microfiber surface becomes matted, no longer holds product effectively, or when the foam core begins to deteriorate or lose its shape.
7.0 General Applicator Rules
These rules apply to all CAR GUYS applicators regardless of type:
One applicator per product. Never use the same applicator for different products. Cross-contamination between formulas (e.g., tire shine residue mixing with wax) can cause poor performance, streaking, or surface incompatibility.
Always fully dry before reuse. Water trapped in any applicator will dilute the product and negatively impact application.
Store clean and dry in a sealed bag. This prevents dust accumulation between uses.
When in doubt, replace. All CAR GUYS applicators are designed to last through many uses with proper care, but if an applicator is visibly degraded or cannot be cleaned effectively, replacing it is the practical choice. Foam pads and applicators are inexpensive and widely available.
8.0 Troubleshooting & FAQs
Can I buy replacement CAR GUYS microfiber towels or applicators?
Replacement towels and applicators are not currently sold separately. Check the CAR GUYS Amazon Store for current availability, as this may change.
Can I use a different brand of microfiber towel?
Yes. For wax and sealant applications, use a towel rated at minimum 350 GSM. For interior cleaning, minimum 300 GSM. Thicker and plusher is better.
How many uses can I get from a towel before washing?
If the vehicle is clean when applying product, a single towel can typically last 2–3 sessions before it needs washing. If the towel picks up visible dirt or contamination, wash it before the next use.
My foam pad still feels like it has product in it after washing. Is that okay?
Some residual product may remain even after thorough hand washing. If you are reusing the pad for the same product, this is not an issue. If you need to restore it to a product-free condition, use the solvent deep-clean method (Section 4.0) or replace the pad.
Can I use a foam pad that is still slightly damp?
No. All applicators must be 100% dry before reuse. Residual water dilutes the product and will negatively impact application quality and performance.
Can I use the same applicator for multiple products?
No. Dedicate one applicator per product. Cross-contamination between different formulas can cause poor performance, streaking, or surface incompatibility.
Can I put microfiber towels in the regular dryer?
Only on the lowest heat setting or "air fluff / no heat" mode. High heat damages microfiber fibers, reduces absorbency, and shortens the towel's lifespan. Air drying is the safest option.
I accidentally used fabric softener on my microfiber towels. Are they ruined?
One exposure may reduce performance but usually does not permanently ruin them. Re-wash the towels immediately in hot water with detergent (no softener) to strip as much residue as possible. If performance does not recover, replace the towels.
Can I machine wash the Tire Shine Applicator or Car Wax Applicator?
No. Both applicators have multi-material construction (foam cores, microfiber surfaces, specialized linings) that can be damaged by machine washing. Hand wash only — see Sections 5.0 and 6.0 for specific instructions.
How long does the Tire Shine Applicator take to dry?
Longer than a standard towel due to the hard foam core. Allow at least 24 hours of air drying in a well-ventilated area. Do not use until completely dry throughout — squeeze the foam core to check. If any moisture comes out, it needs more time.
9.0 Media & Training
Instructional Video: [Pending Creation]