I don't mind washing my car but it seems like no matter what I try to use to dry the car after washing, gets too wet and just smudges the water all over the place, leaving streaks and whatnot. I've tried using an orange sponge-like chamois, and a few other chamois(es?) but it seems like no matter how hard I try to ring them out to get them dry again, they're still too wet and smear and such. Any tips?
Best way to dry a car?
- Thread starter ThirdeYe
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ThirdYe, I've always had real good luck using THE ABSORBER. Maybe it's because I've taken real good care of my car since it was new, but I never get any streak with the Absorber and it rings out real quick. I find it very absorbent and easy to use. Your mileage may vary.
The Absorber here as well.
My vehicles dry as they leave the car wash.
Use the absorber or Chamois for first dry, or what I consider knocking the water off, the take a detailing spray like Zaino z6 and spray it and remove with a plush Viking micro fiber. Been doing this method for 10 years, that is the main reason for detailing sprays.
I've been using the Zaino car wash along with the AIO and CS. I haven't used my bottles of Z-8 Grand Finale yet, but I'll probably try it on my next wash. I'll look into this Absorber
I tried a few Chamoises but I didn't have much luck with them, too hard to ring out..
when using the absorber make absolutely sure your car is clean, the absorber will basically swirl your paint since it's like an absorbant squeegee. Water is absorbed, not dirt...that just gets scraped across the paint.
I use waffle weave microfiber towels since the fibers pick up dirt and hide them in the fibers, also really plush microfiber towels work well to. Do this test, get a blank new CD-R, and sprinkle water on it. Run your drying towel or absorber across it, is your CD-R scratched?
if it isn't, go ahead and use it on your car. The clear coat on your car is just about as durable was the clear coating on a CD.
I use waffle weave microfiber towels since the fibers pick up dirt and hide them in the fibers, also really plush microfiber towels work well to. Do this test, get a blank new CD-R, and sprinkle water on it. Run your drying towel or absorber across it, is your CD-R scratched?
if it isn't, go ahead and use it on your car. The clear coat on your car is just about as durable was the clear coating on a CD.
I like to keep my drying towel or shamois(or what ever your choice of drying cloth happens to be) in a bucket of hot water. After washing my vehicles, I use the California Water Blade for quick removal of the heave water and then go straight to the drying towel soaked in the bucket of hot water. Wring out the towel and start to dry the vehicle from the top and work your way down. As you feel the towel starting to cool down, throw it back into the bucket of hot water and repeat until you achieve the desired results. Another trick that I like to use is to add just a tiny bit of fabric softener from the laundry room into the bucket of hot water. Just enough softener(a drip) to make the water a little cloudy. Just how much softener will be your choice depending on your liking. After Im finished with my drying, I also like to spray some type of "Quick Detail" product on my drying towel(not on the vehicle) and go over the whole vehicle one last time, using the hot water method(soak the towel/shamois in hot water again. And repeat.
the california waterblade leaves a streakless/spotless/swirless surface. i use it for all the large surface areas on the car and then the absorber for the edges/curves.
Your #1 goal should be to leave as little standing water on the car prior to drying. If you're washing at home, the easiest way to do this is trickle water along the car in a sheeting action, which removes standing water "bubbles". Your paint should be approx. 70% dry after doing this.
I used an Absorber for years prior to discovering microfiber towels. I've since thrown out my three Absorbers; I'll never use them again. A large microfiber drying towel is the perfect drying tool. Waffle weave pattern is more absorbent than the standard weave but you can use either. If you want to try one, places like Walmart and Target selling microfiber drying towels for about $5-7. The best, softest, most effective drying towels are sold online, not in stores.
If you still want to use an Absorber, pick up a few smaller (16" x 16") microfiber towels and do a second drying wipe after using the Absorber. For example, dry 1/2 your hood with the Absorber, which removes about 80-90% of the water. Then wipe down with the microfiber to get the hood completely dry. Wring out your Absorber and go dry the other half of the hood. Use this technique around the car until done.
I used an Absorber for years prior to discovering microfiber towels. I've since thrown out my three Absorbers; I'll never use them again. A large microfiber drying towel is the perfect drying tool. Waffle weave pattern is more absorbent than the standard weave but you can use either. If you want to try one, places like Walmart and Target selling microfiber drying towels for about $5-7. The best, softest, most effective drying towels are sold online, not in stores.
If you still want to use an Absorber, pick up a few smaller (16" x 16") microfiber towels and do a second drying wipe after using the Absorber. For example, dry 1/2 your hood with the Absorber, which removes about 80-90% of the water. Then wipe down with the microfiber to get the hood completely dry. Wring out your Absorber and go dry the other half of the hood. Use this technique around the car until done.
I use a leaf blower and waffle micro-fiber towels. Just make sure that the blower was not used a a leaf vacuum. You don't need tiny bits of debri blasting you vehicle's paint finish at 150+ MPH.
I use either microfiber towels or a chamois- both are excellent.
I like to use big old cotton bath towels. I have my car towels separate from our bathroom towels. I use 2 big towels per drying. After I use a few of them I wash them.
the california blade is a very easy way to swirl your paint, once again everything has to absolutely spotlessly clean. Any dirt will get dragged across the paint...
do not take chances, just goto walmart/target/kmart and get their really big plush microfiber drying towels.
cotton towels arent great either, blot don't swipe, they dont absorb water fast enough to use quickly across the paint.
do not take chances, just goto walmart/target/kmart and get their really big plush microfiber drying towels.
cotton towels arent great either, blot don't swipe, they dont absorb water fast enough to use quickly across the paint.
The Absorber is great, but i got a lot of swirls in my clearcoat even when hosing the car down really well after washing. Now i use a sonus drying towel and i think it's better about it
Step 1: Rinse with Mr. Clean AutoDry final rinse spray (the only time I use this device)
Step 2: California Water Blade
Step 3: Micro Fiber towel
Step 2: California Water Blade
Step 3: Micro Fiber towel
I just use an old beach towel or cotton towel to get 95% of the water off the car, and then use a microfiber towel to get the rest of the water off. No problems with scratching or anything.
I agree, flow the water off he vehicle and then dry with micro fiber towels. I usually drag towel across flat surfaces. Then blot remainder. Of course do this out of direct sun.
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