Getting water out of the mirrors

AntonV · 11-13-2009, 01:31 PM

What tricks do you use to get the extra water out of the mirrors after a wash. I'd like to see some suggestions without using forced air. Due to limited garage space, I have to keep my compressor in the basement. It's a pain in the butt to lug it up every time. Especially when you want to do a really quick wash.

I've tried stuffing towels behind the mirror, with no luck. Even when I use the compressor, it doesn't seem like I get it all out. This problem has plagued me since my e36

BlackjackMulligan · 11-13-2009, 01:55 PM

I have the same issue. Have you tried the canned air?

To be honest, after I dry my car once I drive up and down my street and come back and dry off any drips left over..

EINS · 11-13-2009, 01:57 PM

After washing, I fold the mirrors to let the water drip out.

philiopf22 · 11-13-2009, 10:11 PM

what about a compressor?

larryn · 11-14-2009, 11:20 AM

I wash the car with the mirrors folded out. Then as I'm drying, I flick the mirror towards the windows (unfolding them quickly), a few times. There's little to no water left inside it after that.

Greg@DetailedImage · 11-14-2009, 11:31 AM

If you have a wet/dry vacuum that helps suck it out. If not you can sometimes using the blow function of a lot of vacuums. Another tip I use is right after washing I back the car up and tap the brakes a few times and repeat the process going forwards in to the garage. It helps get some of the pooling water out. A quick blast of compressed air (Stoner Gust Compressed Air) will also help. My last resort is to jamb a waffle weave drying towel in there, but you have to be careful because that area can be dirty still.

Hope this helps!

Greg @ DI

TP 135i · 11-14-2009, 12:46 PM

Hmmmmm....interesting.
I've always folded a paper towel several times and inserted it into the space between the mirror and the frame. The towel sucks up the water pretty good. I've never felt anything else was necessary.

11-13-2009, 01:31 PM	#1
AntonV Lieutenant 39 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Sedona/Savanna 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Getting water out of the mirrors What tricks do you use to get the extra water out of the mirrors after a wash. I'd like to see some suggestions without using forced air. Due to limited garage space, I have to keep my compressor in the basement. It's a pain in the butt to lug it up every time. Especially when you want to do a really quick wash. I've tried stuffing towels behind the mirror, with no luck. Even when I use the compressor, it doesn't seem like I get it all out. This problem has plagued me since my e36 __________________ 2009 135i Coupe - Sedona Red Metallic - Savanna Beige - 6MT- ///M Sports Package - Boston Leather - Power/Heated Seats 2005 BMW F650 GS - Mandarin Yellow - Farkled
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11-13-2009, 01:55 PM	#2
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 69 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 have the same issue. Have you tried the canned air? To be honest, after I dry my car once I drive up and down my street and come back and dry off any drips left over.. __________________ I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far. - Joe Walsh
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11-13-2009, 01:57 PM	#3
EINS Simply One Great Car! 12 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 135i SGM Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Commerce Township, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 / 135i [0.00]	After washing, I fold the mirrors to let the water drip out. __________________ '08 135i SGM Coupe delivered in Munich, Nürburgring tested
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11-13-2009, 10:11 PM	#4
philiopf22 Private First Class 16 Rep 135 Posts Drives: Black Lexus GX 470 / AW 135 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	what about a compressor?
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11-14-2009, 11:20 AM	#5
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	I wash the car with the mirrors folded out. Then as I'm drying, I flick the mirror towards the windows (unfolding them quickly), a few times. There's little to no water left inside it after that.
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11-14-2009, 11:31 AM	#6
Greg@DetailedImage 125 Rep 3,515 Posts Drives: clean and protected Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	If you have a wet/dry vacuum that helps suck it out. If not you can sometimes using the blow function of a lot of vacuums. Another tip I use is right after washing I back the car up and tap the brakes a few times and repeat the process going forwards in to the garage. It helps get some of the pooling water out. A quick blast of compressed air (Stoner Gust Compressed Air) will also help. My last resort is to jamb a waffle weave drying towel in there, but you have to be careful because that area can be dirty still. Hope this helps! Greg @ DI
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11-14-2009, 12:46 PM	#7
TP 135i Major 29 Rep 1,340 Posts Drives: 2008 135i SGM MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Finksburg, Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 Acura Integra SE [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i [0.00] 2006 Porsche Cayman S [0.00] 1999 Toyota 4-Runner [0.00]	Hmmmmm....interesting. I've always folded a paper towel several times and inserted it into the space between the mirror and the frame. The towel sucks up the water pretty good. I've never felt anything else was necessary. __________________ 2008 135i SGM
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