Chamois {Chammy} Leather

Post by **dave1949** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:41 pm

her indoors has just handed me one of the above, now relegated from the kitchen,
feels like a thin piece of cardboard and going blackish.
are these things of any use on ,{i seem to recall when washing a car} as i have never found them any use at all? just yet another thought for comments

Post by **Orkney** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:52 pm

soak it - warm water - in a bucket - soapy wont hurt (fairy liquid) get rid of any grease - after soaking wring and thats what you use not the cardboard and going blackish version

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:57 pm

Probably better to start with a new one, I find the synthetic chammy's better and they dont go mouldy or slimy like the natural ones. Ive been using an autoglym one for about 5 years and its still got life left in it!!

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:43 am

Dave ask your Lady to demonstrate while she cleans the car

that will help a bit........................

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:54 am

When i've finished with a shammy I always leave it in a bucket of clean water for a day or two. It helps to remove all the tiny specks of scratchy grit that inevitably get caught in it. Also, with regard to cleaning them (and the artificial ones) I try not to apply any detergets to them because it shortens thier life considerably but if there is a problem then I favour a bit of shampoo.

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:47 am

I find a good chamois to be essential when washing a car.
I keep being tempted by these 'silicon blade' things but the chamois is still king.
I couldn't wash a car without one. The last stage is me with a bucket of clean water and a chamois. Any car wash marks and missed bits are easily wiped off wet and dried.

Post by **Orkney** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:53 am

essential when washing a car.

hmm thats a new concept to me

only ever washed one when its been for sale

Post by **dave1949** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:05 pm

Dave ask your Lady to demonstrate while she cleans the car

good thinking Kevin

Just asked her,the reply was something to do with getting stuffing,
perhaps she's thinking of xmas turkey?but a definate NO i think

Post by **Furrtiv** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:31 pm

You can get artificial chamois? Sounds good for me, I try not to buy leather products where possible.

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:21 pm

Real chamois is the the best thing available for getting a streak free finish on any shiny surface especially glass.
Do both sides of your windscreen with it (and your rear view mirror) and you'll be amazed with the improvement.
After I've finished the car I'll come indoors and do the house windows and the TV screen, you'll be amazed what a good finish is possible.
To clean the chamois take one corner between thumb and finger then draw the rest of it between the thumb and index finger of the other hand squeezing the water and grit out of it as you go.
don't go mad wringing it out when you've finished just get it dryish such that its not sloppy or slippery and let it air dry.
don't worry if it looks a bit black as long as its not oily or greasy it'll be fine.
Accept no substitute chamois is king!
Mark

Post by **Furrtiv** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:33 pm

But I don't buy new real leather, so I must have a substitute. Besides, I thought the chamois goat was a vulnerable species?

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:57 pm

I think most chamois leather you can buy is actually made from sheep or lamb skin.

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:17 pm

You are right about the sheep leather;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamois_leather
Another tip is don't put it away dirty rinse it out first or it will eventually rot and its not cheap.
Mark

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:03 am

But I don't buy new real leather, so I must have a substitute.

Furrtiv you must be a real Pleather fan then

Post by **Furrtiv** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:14 pm

I have made many things out of fake leather; there's a stall in Leicester market that sells faux suede that is almost identical to the real thing. I only wear leather if it's second hand, and don't wear fur at all.

Post by **Rasputin** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:26 pm

Furrtiv wrote:I have made many things out of fake leather; there's a stall in Leicester market that sells faux suede that is almost identical to the real thing. I only wear leather if it's second hand, and don't wear fur at all.

The leather is always second hand ,the animal wore it first!!!

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:38 am

As an alternative to the real thing I can vouch for those 'Microfibre' cloths sold almost everywhere these days and (an even better sub) the fake chamois sold by Autoglym and the like.
These fake, often perforated, ones are great - as good as the real thing.

Post by **Furrtiv** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:16 pm

Hehe, I know Pasputin, but I also abhore wastage - another of my contradictions, I'm afraid.