Drying technique

[PY80]

Hi,

I'm new to detailing. My second post here ever.

Just wanted to get learn some tricks of the trade. I've noticed that I'm getting water marks from not drying the car thoroughly after washing. Problem is, I can't seem to dry it fast enough.. any faster and it won't be thorough enough.

By the time I reach my last panel, its already half dried itself and leaving some water marks... BTW, I live in a tropical climate hence things do dry fast here!

How do you guys tackle this problem?

Paul

[ChevyNick]

Well I'm no expert in the drying area, but are you able to dry in a shaded area? That would probably help if you aren't. I wonder if its your water... Sometimes when I'm drying my truck, the opposite side will begin to dry, but no water spots are left usually. If there are any, they wipe away with a spray wax.

[Meticulous-Detail]

Are you using towels or a leaf blower? Did you try the flooding technique when rinsing the soap off?

[Marc08EX]

Have you seen this video yet? Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series Washing (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?41790-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Washing)

The main point you have to take from that video is using the sheeting method at the end of your rinse cycle. This will help reduce the amount of water beads on your paint's surface leaving you with less water to dry. That might not fully help you if it's really hot in Malaysia. I'm from Phoenix and I battle the same problem during 120F (50C) degree days. I get occasional water spotting at the last panels I'm drying during that time. However, I just hit the area with Ultimate Quik Detailer (http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=4616) or a damp microfiber towel and the water spots go away. I've never encountered etched water spots from drying the car because I don't let that water spot stay there too long.

Hope this helps.

[Murr1525]

Yeah, I would want to try drying with a QD spray, or UQW spray while going around.

You also may want to try to do your first drying really fast. Then come back around a second time with the UQW and final drying wipe.

[Garage Troll]

I know this really isn't a drying technique but I went to rinseless washes I don't have any more spotting. The flooding method, however, works really well.

[JG_Detailing]

I know usually on hot days the car would dry faster then I can put the towel on it. I also use a California water blade on them to. That's a fast way to dry the vehicles off to. When I use that I also carry a towel with me to get the areas I can't get with the blade.

[Poki]

What are you using to dry with? The waffle weave microfiber towels work best for me. If it's hot out, after sheeting the water....I do a fast all around for the big spots the over again for the remaining water. These waffle weaves really soak up the water and leave no trails or drips behind.

[Focus RS]

I have three things to say to you, leaf blower, leaf blower and leaf blower.