Ways To Avoid Drying?

[darkrom]

So I've come to realize I enjoy detailing my car, with the exception of drying the car. I'd rather spend 2 hours washing it than 20 minutes drying it.

What are some good ways (if any) to avoid the typical drying effort?

The only thing I've seen that has me on the fence about purchasing it is the master blaster the 8HP blow dryer.

Any other options? Or do I just have to deal with it and dry it with microfiber like everyone else? Just curious.

[dcaron9999]

I use a small/lightweight/powerful leaf blower or large waffle towels, depending on how much time I have and how i feal that day...

[FIRST1]

+1 on the large waffle weave towels

I use 3 clean ones, they're pretty big. Shouldn't take you more than 10 mins to dry the whole car.

[bmw1racer]

If you keep you car thoroughly waxed at all times, most of the water should roll off during rinsing, minimizing your drying time.

I'd never use a blower to dry the car, 'cause you'd just be stirring up dust and dirt from the surrounding area that you'd have to wipe off before claying/polishing/waxing.

[lowbudgethero]

drive to 120mph

[Overpar56]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

drive to 120mph

You have to go in reverse at 60 so the run off doesn't streak the rear end.

I can dry the 135 in about 10-15 mins. Any leftover spots I hit with detailer.

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by FIRST1

+1 on the large waffle weave towels

I use 3 clean ones, they're pretty big. Shouldn't take you more than 10 mins to dry the whole car.

Do you have a link to the towels you're talking about? I've only seen microfiber.

Thanks.

[FIRST1]

Originally Posted by 135ivert

Do you have a link to the towels you're talking about? I've only seen microfiber.

Thanks.

http://shopdetailersgarage.com/index...roller=product

I usually need 3 to dry the whole car.

[darkrom]

The leaf blower never worked well for me. Slow loud and still left a lot of spots. I can do it in 15 min or so with microfiber towels, but its the only part of the process I don't actively enjoy, so I'm just considering other options. The master blaster looks cool, but I don't have $300 to blow, or a 20 amp dedicated circuit to run the thing.

[vanbmw]

I keep a good coat of sealant on the paint (I use Menzerna powerlock) and after washing I use my Stihl leaf blower on the car. Majority of the water will run off the car. Then I give it a spot dry with my wafflew weave towels. Works really well. My car is jet black so I am more concerned with preventing swirls in the paint so this works good. Easy and fairly quick.
Here's the drying towels I use:

http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Micr...00/36-x-24-S1/

[cheshirecat79]

You can always use a small handheld blower like the Metro Blaster. Chemical Guys also has some kind of larger branded blower. There are a ton of them.

[Black Flagged]

I use a shop vac, put a hose on the end of it where the blower comes out! That way I can get in all the places like the door handles and inside the doors seals, open the trunk and blow all the water out of the grooves! Around the emblems and the wheels also! I have black paint also and this helps with reducing swirl marks

[lowbudgethero]

In all honesty though I usually drive to a wash bay and hand wash it there then drive it back and most of the water has blown off. Takes only a few min to get the last spots.

[02rsxpilot]

I've always seen drying as one of the most important parts of the process. You can do a stellar wash job but if you leave water drops anywhere on the car, the job will look like crap when they turn to water spots after drying. I'm not sure there's any way around it, so I agree that you just want to make sure you get the best towels possible so the job is quick and you don't have to constantly re-dry parts of the car.

[lowbudgethero]

usually a detail spray will take care of any water spots though

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by 02rsxpilot

I've always seen drying as one of the most important parts of the process. You can do a stellar wash job but if you leave water drops anywhere on the car, the job will look like crap when they turn to water spots after drying. I'm not sure there's any way around it, so I agree that you just want to make sure you get the best towels possible so the job is quick and you don't have to constantly re-dry parts of the car.

I agree.

To put all that effort in washing the car thoroughly then taking a shortcut to dry it seems sorta odd.

[jkoral]

I've been using this for 20+ years:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...tic+chamois.do

It seems everyone now uses MF waffle weave drying towels instead.

I believe the Griots is a waffle weave version of the Absorber. A quick searching of http://www.autopia.org shows there are a number of folks that still prefer the absorber-type.

Personally I've always found drying to be a very satisfactory part of the washing process and not overly burdensome.

[barnsdale]

I drive it home and then do a quick once over with the micro fibres - seems to do the trick but I'm going to pick up some weave clothes in the near future.

[pj.rodriguez]

I drive it around the block with some rapid turning to get the water out of funny places. Then I use quick detailer to effectively "hydrate" and dry the car at the same time. It reduces the possibility of swirling. Also use high quality MF towels to do the drying process. It also helps pick up any spots that you may have missed throughout your wash since you're looking and feeling everything when you dry the car.

[Nugget]

I use a large waffle weave drying towel lubricated with either quick detailer or spray wax.
And a smaller microfibre towel for permanently dirty bits like door jambs, side skirts, wheel arches.

I also put my wash mit and drying towels in the wahsing machine after every wash. Keeping everything to do with the wheels seperate.

[SixBanger]

The best way to dry off your car!! http://www.autogeek.net/metro-blaster-sidekick.html

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

The best way to dry off your car!! http://www.autogeek.net/metro-blaster-sidekick.html

That doesn't look like it would be good for drying the whole car, just small tricky parts.