Grant’s Microfiber Towels Review: Surprisingly Good or Just Cheap?
Grant’s microfiber towels from Harbor Freight are some of the cheapest car detailing towels you can buy—but are they safe for your paint, or do they scratch, lint, and fall apart fast? We put Grant’s towels through real testing so you know exactly what they’re good for and where they fall short.
Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
Quick Summary: Are Grant’s Towels Actually Any Good?
- Great value for the price — perfect for interiors, wheels, jambs, and dirty tasks.
- Not safe for black paint or soft clear coat due to lower GSM and rougher fibers.
- Linting is common after several washes.
- Edges can scratch paint because they are not edgeless or ultra-soft.
- Best use cases: interior wipe-downs, door jambs, wheels, exhaust areas, and engine bays.
- Not recommended for exterior paint—upgrade to higher-quality towels for safety.
Best Paint-Safe Upgrade: Everyday Microfiber Towels or Softer Than Soft Towels.
Introduction: Are Budget Microfiber Towels Worth It?
Microfiber towels are one of the most overlooked tools in car care. A good towel prevents swirls, streaks, and scratches. A bad towel can ruin paint instantly.
The big question:
Can a cheap $5–$7 pack of Grant’s microfiber towels actually be safe for your vehicle?
To find out, we tested Grant’s towels on:
- Gloss black paint
- Soft Japanese clear coat
- Hard German clear coat
- Interior surfaces
- Glass
- Wheels
- Trim
We also tested:
- Linting
- Absorbency
- Fiber softness
- Edge safety
- Durability after washing
- Real usability
The results show Grant’s towels have a place in detailing—but not the place many beginners assume.
1. Fiber Quality Test: Are Grant’s Towels Soft Enough for Paint?
Grant’s towels feel okay in the hand—but they are noticeably rougher and thinner than professional-grade microfiber.
What We Noticed Immediately:
- Fibers are short and stiff
- Edges are non-softened and scratchy
- GSM is significantly lower than premium towels
Why this matters: Low GSM and stiff fibers increase friction on paint.
On black paint, you want ultra-soft, ultra-deep pile towels—like:
Verdict: Grant’s towels are not ideal for exterior paint—especially dark or soft paint.
2. GSM Comparison: Low GSM = Higher Scratch Risk
Grant’s towels are typically around 200–250 GSM, which is considered “low pile” and not designed for delicate surfaces.
Comparison:
| Towel Type | GSM | Paint Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Grant’s Microfiber Towels | 200–250 GSM | Low / Not Recommended |
| Everyday Microfiber Towels | 320 GSM | High |
| Softer Than Soft Towels | 550 GSM | Very High |
Low-GSM microfiber isn’t inherently bad—but it’s not ideal for wiping paint because it creates more drag and has fewer fibers to cushion dirt.
3. Edge Quality Test: Do Grant’s Towels Scratch?
Grant’s towels use a typical folded stitched edge. This stitching feels rough and rigid, especially after several washes.
On black paint, edges matter as much as fibers.
We tested edge scratching on a gloss black test panel using:
- Light pressure
- Medium pressure
- A lubrication spray
Results:
- Under magnification: micro-marring visible
- Under sunlight: faint swirls after several passes
- On soft clear coat: visible drag marks
Verdict: Grant’s edges are not paint safe.
Upgrade to edgeless towels like:
4. Absorbency Test: Do Grant’s Towels Hold Water?
Cheap microfiber typically uses lower-quality polyester blends with fewer split fibers. This affects absorbency.
In real testing:
- Grant’s towels absorb water slowly
- They saturate quickly
- They leave moisture streaks on paint
Great for:
- Interior wipes
- Dashboards
- Door jambs
- Wheels
- Trim
Not great for:
- Drying paint
- Wiping detail spray
- Ceramic coating leveling
5. Linting Test: Do Grant’s Towels Leave Fuzz Behind?
After the first and second wash cycles, Grant’s towels begin to lint noticeably.
We observed linting on:
- Black dashboards
- Glass
- Gloss trim
- Paint
Premium towels almost never lint because they use higher-quality yarn and tighter stitching.
Verdict: Grant’s towels lint often after a few washes.
6. Durability Test: How Long Do Grant’s Towels Last?
Cheap microfiber is often single-stitch sewn with lower-density fibers. After repeated washing, Grant’s towels began to show:
- Fraying edges
- Flattened pile
- Loss of softness
- Color fading
- Larger lint build-up
Expected lifespan:
- 2–6 months depending on use
Premium towels often last several years.
7. Best Use Cases for Grant’s Microfiber Towels
Even though Grant’s towels aren’t paint-safe, they’re still extremely useful.
Grant’s towels are PERFECT for:
- Interiors (dash, door panels, center consoles)
- Wheels and wheel barrels
- Dirty door jambs
- Engine bays
- Exhaust tips
- Undercarriage areas
- Headlight cleaning
- Tire dressing wipe-off
- Trunk jambs
NOT recommended for:
- Black paint
- Gloss paint
- Ceramic coatings
- Soft clear coats
- Final wipe-down
- Detail sprays
- Drying paint
Use cheap towels where they belong—and premium towels where it matters.
Want Scratch-Free Towels for Paint?
Upgrade to ultra-soft, paint-safe microfiber towels designed for gloss paint and ceramic coatings.
8. Grant’s Microfiber Towels vs Premium Towels (Real Comparison)
| Category | Grant’s Towels | Jimbo’s Towels |
|---|---|---|
| Paint Safety | Low | Very High |
| GSM | 200–250 | 320 / 550 |
| Linting | High | Low |
| Edge Type | Stitched edge | Edgeless |
| Durability | Low–Medium | High |
| Best For | Interiors, wheels | Paint, coatings, glass |
9. Should You Buy Grant’s Microfiber Towels?
YES — if you use them correctly.
They’re perfect for dirty, grimy, or interior tasks where you don’t want to ruin your expensive towels.
NO — if you plan to wipe your paint with them.
Grant’s towels simply aren’t soft, plush, or safe enough for exterior paintwork.
Want Towels That Last Longer and Protect Paint?
Upgrade your detailing towels and make your paint safer, your coatings last longer, and your wipes streak-free.
FAQs
Are Grant’s microfiber towels safe for car paint?
No. They are too low GSM, have scratchy edges, and lint too much for safe paint contact.
Are Grant’s towels good for interiors?
Yes. They work well on plastic, vinyl, rubber, leather, and dashboards.
Do Grant’s towels scratch black paint?
They can. During testing, they produced micro-marring on gloss black paint.
Do Grant’s towels lint?
Yes, especially after the second or third wash cycle.
What towels should I use for safe paint wiping?
Use premium edgeless towels like Everyday Microfiber or Softer Than Soft Towels.
Final Thoughts
Grant’s microfiber towels are great for interiors, jambs, wheels, and dirty jobs—but not for car paint. They’re budget-friendly, useful, and worth having in your detailing arsenal as “beater towels.”
If your goal is swirl-free paint, glossy finishes, and safe wiping, you should invest in higher-quality microfiber.
Best upgrades for safe paint care:
Your towels matter more than you think—protect your paint with the right ones.
