drying?

mantissss · 07-07-2009, 12:27 PM

hey guys i get my 135i in August and i wanted to get some tips ahead of time

im great at washing cars but the thing that i am a little lost on is drying...so what is the best techniques/tools to use for this important step?
some of my friends have the California Water Blade but i hear that can leave scratches so what should i use for a very good but fast/easy drying job?---thanks

Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! · 07-07-2009, 12:38 PM

I pat dry with one of those super towel (the absorber). Or use a leaf blower/compressed air. Depending on how dry it needs to be.

vanbmw · 07-07-2009, 10:49 PM

I got 4 good quality microfibre towels. They are really soft and just float on the surface. I do the minimum "buffing" with them...try and let them soak up as much water as possible in hopes I don't cause swirls. I got 4 towels so as soon as one if wet I move on to the next one. Works well and after 1 year my paint in in excellent shape.
ALSO...my father inlaw uses a leaf blower on his Audi A5 . He blows off as much water as he can and them just dabs the leftover drops with a microfibre towel. He is really happy with the results.

BrokenVert · 07-07-2009, 10:53 PM

I use a very high quality terry cloth. Never tryed a leaf blower tho. Why wouldn't that leave waterspots?

jibaholic101 · 07-07-2009, 11:49 PM

i use all natural cotton cloth, its very soft, and it doesnt put swirls. what does everyone think of the leafblowers?

singular · 07-07-2009, 11:59 PM

here's what works for me:

1) use soft water to avoid water spots

2) soak up the excess water using a large, good quality micro-fibre

3) use a blow dryer to blow off remaining water from surfaces and out of cracks and crevices

4) lightly wipe up remaining drops using another quality micro-fibre

jmcgraw013 · 07-08-2009, 08:33 PM

I use the Mr. Clean Autodry carwash gun with its water filter to mist my car down with filtered water after I hand wash it with Mequiar's Gold Class and then I don't get any water spots and it air drys much better. Then I just go over the car with supersized microfiber drying towels to soak up what's left.

stevenc · 07-09-2009, 08:19 AM

I sheet the excess water off, then use 2 large microfibers.

Lester · 07-09-2009, 08:36 AM

Some old 100% cotton towels works nicely for me. Having a coat of sealant like Zaino makes the water bead and roll off like crazy, so I usually drive it around the block first after washing. Then there is very little left on the car, an old cotton towel takes the remainder off without any issues.

pit1 · 07-09-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenc

I sheet the excess water off, then use 2 large microfibers.

Sheeting is key. As long as you have a nice coat of wax she'll be practically dry by the time your done. I've gotten by with as little as one 16in x 16in microfiber to soak up residual water droplets.

Alow · 07-09-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pit1

Sheeting is key. As long as you have a nice coat of wax she'll be practically dry by the time your done. I've gotten by with as little as one 16in x 16in microfiber to soak up residual water droplets.

+1

1013mm · 07-09-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pit1

Sheeting is key. As long as you have a nice coat of wax she'll be practically dry by the time your done. I've gotten by with as little as one 16in x 16in microfiber to soak up residual water droplets.

same.

Greg@DetailedImage · 07-09-2009, 10:32 AM

I HIGHLY recommend the DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel. It's paint safe, highly absorbent, washable, etc. It's my go to product for safe washing and it's easily one of our best selling products for those reasons. If you have any other questions please let me know.

anthony @ eas · 07-09-2009, 12:23 PM

Don't use a water blade!!! They can pick up sand, grit, etc and leave long, deep scratches everywhere.

jibaholic101 · 07-09-2009, 12:35 PM

how do you sheet?

Linoleum87 · 07-09-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

how do you sheet?

take the nozzle or sprayer off of your hose, and pour lots of water in a "sheet" over the car. the mass amounts of water will all run off together, and do most of the drying for you.

The Cthulhu · 07-10-2009, 12:37 PM

After that, you can use a good leaf blower or air compressor to get the water out of all the little cracks and gaps, and then dry everything with a terrycloth towel or cloth diaper.

cagekicker · 07-10-2009, 09:56 PM

a chamoise cloth works perfect for me. i love my chammy!

vanbmw · 07-11-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

a chamoise cloth works perfect for me. i love my chammy!

I used to use a chamoise cloth. Switch to microfiber (see the one Greg recommends above). They glide so much easier on the paint and they are so soft. One use and I put my Chammy in the garbage. No swirls!!!

Evice · 07-12-2009, 11:08 AM

I am really having hard time with water spots, I washed the car in 4 parts, and tried to dry it in 4 parts, it is black sapphire metallic... result.. terrible water spots... Do you think my mistake was trying to dry it in the sun?

mantissss · 07-12-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evice

I am really having hard time with water spots, I washed the car in 4 parts, and tried to dry it in 4 parts, it is black sapphire metallic... result.. terrible water spots... Do you think my mistake was trying to dry it in the sun?

yeah man you never wanna wash a car in the sun

BlackjackMulligan · 07-12-2009, 01:04 PM

I got a leaf blower and have had mixed results. It definitely gets a lot of water off but on my freshly sealed surface, it still leaves plenty of very small droplets that still need to be wiped off. I agree with above, my favorite method is to sheet the water off the surface and get the last bits with a high quality MF towel. I like the waffle weave ones too.

07-07-2009, 12:27 PM	#1
mantissss ...eagerly awaiting... 5 Rep 102 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	drying? hey guys i get my 135i in August and i wanted to get some tips ahead of time im great at washing cars but the thing that i am a little lost on is drying...so what is the best techniques/tools to use for this important step? some of my friends have the California Water Blade but i hear that can leave scratches so what should i use for a very good but fast/easy drying job?---thanks __________________ http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cfbmw.org
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07-07-2009, 12:38 PM	#2
Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! Captain 34 Rep 786 Posts Drives: 09 135i, 98 M rdstr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I pat dry with one of those super towel (the absorber). Or use a leaf blower/compressed air. Depending on how dry it needs to be. __________________ '09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
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07-07-2009, 10:49 PM	#3
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	I got 4 good quality microfibre towels. They are really soft and just float on the surface. I do the minimum "buffing" with them...try and let them soak up as much water as possible in hopes I don't cause swirls. I got 4 towels so as soon as one if wet I move on to the next one. Works well and after 1 year my paint in in excellent shape. ALSO...my father inlaw uses a leaf blower on his Audi A5 . He blows off as much water as he can and them just dabs the leftover drops with a microfibre towel. He is really happy with the results.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2009, 10:53 PM	#4
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I use a very high quality terry cloth. Never tryed a leaf blower tho. Why wouldn't that leave waterspots? __________________
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07-07-2009, 11:49 PM	#5
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 160 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	i use all natural cotton cloth, its very soft, and it doesnt put swirls. what does everyone think of the leafblowers? __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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07-07-2009, 11:59 PM	#6
singular Captain 21 Rep 935 Posts Drives: BSM 135i ppk cab Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	here's what works for me: 1) use soft water to avoid water spots 2) soak up the excess water using a large, good quality micro-fibre 3) use a blow dryer to blow off remaining water from surfaces and out of cracks and crevices 4) lightly wipe up remaining drops using another quality micro-fibre
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07-08-2009, 08:33 PM	#7
jmcgraw013 Private First Class 9 Rep 117 Posts Drives: '11 135i Cv Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (1)	I use the Mr. Clean Autodry carwash gun with its water filter to mist my car down with filtered water after I hand wash it with Mequiar's Gold Class and then I don't get any water spots and it air drys much better. Then I just go over the car with supersized microfiber drying towels to soak up what's left. __________________ '11 135i Cabriolet Crimson Red, CPO, Savanna Beige Lthr, High Gloss, Shadowline DCT, Prem Pkg, Sp Pkg, Value Pkg, Sirius, Alarm, CA, 264's
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07-09-2009, 08:19 AM	#8
stevenc Coming Soon 256 Rep 960 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Alphine White MT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I sheet the excess water off, then use 2 large microfibers.
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07-09-2009, 08:36 AM	#9
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Some old 100% cotton towels works nicely for me. Having a coat of sealant like Zaino makes the water bead and roll off like crazy, so I usually drive it around the block first after washing. Then there is very little left on the car, an old cotton towel takes the remainder off without any issues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2009, 10:32 AM	#13
Greg@DetailedImage 125 Rep 3,515 Posts Drives: clean and protected Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I HIGHLY recommend the DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel. It's paint safe, highly absorbent, washable, etc. It's my go to product for safe washing and it's easily one of our best selling products for those reasons. If you have any other questions please let me know.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2009, 12:23 PM	#14
anthony @ eas 309 Rep 3,635 Posts Drives: R56 Cooper S Join Date: May 2009 Location: 4015 E Leaverton Court, Anahiem, CA 92807 iTrader: (0)	Don't use a water blade!!! They can pick up sand, grit, etc and leave long, deep scratches everywhere.
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07-09-2009, 12:35 PM	#15
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 160 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	how do you sheet? __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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07-10-2009, 12:37 PM	#17
The Cthulhu Banned 7 Rep 197 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	After that, you can use a good leaf blower or air compressor to get the water out of all the little cracks and gaps, and then dry everything with a terrycloth towel or cloth diaper.
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07-10-2009, 09:56 PM	#18
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	a chamoise cloth works perfect for me. i love my chammy! __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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07-12-2009, 11:08 AM	#20
Evice Major 194 Rep 1,457 Posts Drives: E92M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere here iTrader: (1)	I am really having hard time with water spots, I washed the car in 4 parts, and tried to dry it in 4 parts, it is black sapphire metallic... result.. terrible water spots... Do you think my mistake was trying to dry it in the sun? __________________ My Track Videos
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07-12-2009, 01:04 PM	#22
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 70 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston 'burbs iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roa ... [0.00]	I got a leaf blower and have had mixed results. It definitely gets a lot of water off but on my freshly sealed surface, it still leaves plenty of very small droplets that still need to be wiped off. I agree with above, my favorite method is to sheet the water off the surface and get the last bits with a high quality MF towel. I like the waffle weave ones too.
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