Ways To Avoid Drying?

[P1]

You'll find that with a good MF waffle weave towel, drying your car will be the easiest part of keeping it clean.

[P1]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

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

That seems awfully small for drying a car. I have a leaf blower and it's not even that effective. I actually found that my Ridgid shop vac in reverse is most effective for drying the smaller areas of the vehicles where water tends to drip out of. In combination with a waffle weave, naturally.

[SixBanger]

Originally Posted by P1et

That seems awfully small for drying a car. I have a leaf blower and it's not even that effective. I actually found that my Ridgid shop vac in reverse is most effective for drying the smaller areas of the vehicles where water tends to drip out of. In combination with a waffle weave, naturally.

No, you've gotta try it. I was skeptical at first but it did very well.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

No, you've gotta try it. I was skeptical at first but it did very well.

Yep- that little thing blows a LOT of air through a smaller nozzle. It should take a little less time than using a towel if you've got a waxed/sealed surface with less tension. Otherwise, I'd just use a good waffle weave drying towel and the blower for the wheels and crevices.

[135ivert]

I just washed my car yesterday and used the Chemical Guys waffle towels. I have to say that they worked wonderfully - much better than my previous million-microfiber towel method. However, 2 was not enough. You need at least 3 and maybe 4.

I can also see the value in using a blowing device. There are just so many cracks & crevices - even more on the convertible it seems. I had to go back & detail with the MF towels, and it was a huge PITA. $80 seems a bit much however. I may just try the shop vac method.

[davefromfla]

Originally Posted by 135ivert

I just washed my car yesterday and used the Chemical Guys waffle towels. I have to say that they worked wonderfully - much better than my previous million-microfiber towel method. However, 2 was not enough. You need at least 3 and maybe 4.

I can also see the value in using a blowing device. There are just so many cracks & crevices - even more on the convertible it seems. I had to go back & detail with the MF towels, and it was a huge PITA. $80 seems a bit much however. I may just try the shop vac method.

Shop vac method works great for all the crevices, emblems, and surface in general. After that, I just follow up with an artificial chamois and 1 MF towel for any remaining water.

[Worra]

I also use two large meguiars MF waffle-weave towels to dry the car but my secret is this: Before using towels on the car, I use "The Absorber" to pull the majority of the water off the car. I can't recommend this thing enough. Its cheap and super effective. Just make sure you pull it (not push) in a single direction. http://www.amazon.com/Absorber-Synth.../dp/B0000AY69V

[Hed Case]

Nobody has mentioned using a chamois. Not recommended?

[ChrisCote]

Use a new damp high quality microfiber (run it through the wash once to remove any loose fibers and NEVER let touch the ground)

Use a hydration formula, like AMMO NYC's Hydrate (i have a bottle and love it, other cheaper/ not name brand formulas out there)

spray the hydrate on the moist new microfiber and massage it in to the paint while drying. Dont use a hydrate if your wash runs in to the nightime and temperature drops quickly, the dew from temp change will cause the car to never dry.

A lot of people say the hydrate will not work without a layer of AMMO's Skin (Defense coat) but i use it alone and it works great


NEVER USE A MR ABSORBER OR EQUIVALENT DRYING CHAMOIS

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by ChrisCote

NEVER USE A MR ABSORBER OR EQUIVALENT DRYING CHAMOIS

Ok, why is that? I haven't used one in decades, but I sure used to back in the day.

FYI when I washed my car the other day, when the waffle towels started getting wet I did use one like a chamois to drag the majority of the water off the car, then use the drier one to finish up.

[bmw1racer]

^ I've read/heard that chamois tend to squeegee the water off of a car and not absorb the water, so it pulls the wax/sealant off the car's surface.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by ChrisCote

NEVER USE A MR ABSORBER OR EQUIVALENT DRYING CHAMOIS

Care to elaborate on the reasons? My absorber works great and my paint still looks immaculate.

EDIT: Of course, my absorber has never touched the ground, and gets a thorough wash after each use.

[ChrisCote]

I haven't used one in so long that I can't remember exactly what damage it does. I'll do some research and get back to you on the why.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by ChrisCote

I haven't used one in so long that I can't remember exactly what damage it does. I'll do some research and get back to you on the why.

A chamois I can maybe understand, as I tried one on my previous car and that thing didn't absorb shit. The Absorber definitely sops up the large sheets of water on the car after I give it the final rinse before I dry the car. Don't try to actually dry the car with the absorber, just pull the big "puddles" of water off, then use a waffle-weave MF towel to dry like usual. Shortens my dry time by a lot.

[Chunner]

Use what I use. A $35 electric leaf blower.

http://www.amazon.com/Toro-51585-2-S...blower+1+speed

Then spray wax with a micro fiber cloth.

[Stupenal]

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...ing-towel.html


Flood the panels so the water doesn't bead

With a good coat of sealant you can dry the car in minutes.

[boyerstyle]

+1 with the sealant comments. I have the metro master blaster currently. It takes me longer to dry with it than with towels. I just use it to take away one of the steps that I have to touch my car for. I have also used leaf blowers, Metro Vac N Blow, tried driving around, and I think towelling is still the fastest way to go.

It's all about the product you have on your car! When I have a good product like hardbody on, or just a good sealant with some wax build up, the water just sheets off, leaving very little for me to dry off.

Just my 2 cents.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Stupenal

Flood the panels so the water doesn't bead

With a good coat of sealant you can dry the car in minutes.

YES.

[sparkyblue]

Can't believe no one has mentioned a water blade (squeegee) essentially.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pilot-Soft...de-11/31956392

Works great, do a pass over the entire car with it. Then a small towel will be enough to dry the rest of the car.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by sparkyblue

Can't believe no one has mentioned a water blade (squeegee) essentially.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pilot-Soft...de-11/31956392

Works great, do a pass over the entire car with it. Then a small towel will be enough to dry the rest of the car.

I'd never use a squeegee or squeegee-like tool to dry my car... That's a first-class invitation to scratch the paint.

[johngrossi]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I'd never use a squeegee or squeegee-like tool to dry my car... That's a first-class invitation to scratch the paint.

+1

A damp microfiber has the ability to pick up dirt particles as well as having lubrication to not drag a dry towel across the paint.

I like a damp towel plus a product like ammo hydrate for the safest drying experience.

A squeegee is just dragging residual dirt particles that didn't get emulsified in soap or water across the paint

[B777flyboy]

I've used a water blade for years and have never had a problem. I obviously only use it on first attempt while car is soaked. Any residual follow with a micro fibre.