Drying after carwash

[dwg51357]

I'm curious what procedure you all use for drying vehicles after washing. My synthetic drying towel (fake chamois?) seemed to work fine back when I owned a burgundy-colored vehicle. Now that I have a jet-black car, I can see that drying with it doesn't get the vehicle completely dry - so I don't end up with a nice, mirror finish.

Any recommendations on types of towels? Drying procedure? Anything else?

BTW: The car has been clay barred, Swirl-Xed, polished with Ultimate and waxed with Ultimate. So the finish is beautiful; I'd like to keep it that way after washes.

[Evan.J]

Re: Drying after carwash

I use a combo of the sheeting/pooling method to get as much water off as possible then I take my waffle weave MF towels and blot/pat dry then after that I will take with D156 (quick wax) and or M135 (ultimate quik detailer) and go over the car using soft MF towels.

You can use an leaf blower (electric) if you would like. You will definitely want to use the least aggressive method when drying so you do not instill the swirls and or scratches back into the paint.

[C8N]

Re: Drying after carwash

Leaf blower and/or MF towel. My leaf blower isn't efficient during the dry and warmer weathers so in those times, I dry with a MF towel and use UQW/D156 as drying aid.

[Murr1525]

I use one or two water magnets to get the bulk of the water, and then one dry WM and the UQW for the final wipe.

And then older towels for dirtier areas.

[JG_Detailing]

I use the California squeegee. Then I use a microfiber drying towel to get the rest off. The squeegee works great. Takes a lot of drying time out.

[erobertson]

Re: Drying after carwash

In the final rinse let the water sheet by removing the nozzle and letting a gentle stream flush the surface. Water tension will draw a considerable amount of water off the vehicle. Next a small dedicated blower will remove most of the remaining water. Finally, gently blot any remaining water with a water magnet towel or similar waffle weave MF to arrive a perfection. On your darker vehicles often easy to re-introduce swirl in the drying so gentle blotting touch much better than dragging the towel around. Then stand back and admire perfection!

[Detailing by M]

Giant Waffle Weave towel
DI water
As needed, a Stinger vac as a blower with a ten foot hose.

[STRIFE]

Re: Drying after carwash

I use a cheapo $20 Toro leaf blower, water just flies off the car/van with no effort, dries my wheels good too.
I usually follow up with a supreme shine mf towel to blot out any water the leaf blower missed

[Jimjc]

Re: Drying after carwash

I have been using a Toro leaf blower high power electric [ 260mpr ] and it gets the car 100% dry in a few minutes, whats more important it get all the water out of the nooks and crannies and I don`t have to touch the car to dry it. Then I use Megs. liquid spray wax. I only use the detail spray when car is dusty in between washes.

[Randomhero]

Re: Drying after carwash

I usually use an Absorber synthetic chamois

[Aenygma]

Re: Drying after carwash

I am with the Leaf Blower crowd.

Sheet Water (though to be honest I don't always and it has been fine)
Blot With MF Towel
Leaf Blower (great for wheels and those nooks and crannies)
Blot up whatever might be left.

[dwg51357]

Re: Drying after carwash

Sounds like a combo of leaf blower, blotting with MF towel and maybe liquid wax is the ticket. I'll try that next time. Thanks so much everyone! (Just joined the forum - am amazed at how helpful and friendly you all are!)