What do you guys use to dry?

What do you think has more chance of getting stuff stuck to it...a towel or a water blade. Honestly, the water blade is about as safe as you can get...aside from maybe a blower. Just wipe it to be sure before each pass. I just use it to get the big areas of water off...essentially the upper half of the car. Then I go behind it with a synthetic chamois. I have never caused a scratch from the water blade.



Eric
 
To be honest, I didn't wipe my CWB after each pass but at that rate I'd rather use a BBT anyway. The CWB, as I used it, left rather nasty vertical scratches on my fenders. YMMV...
 
I've yet to use a BBT so I can't comment on it...although as long as you are just blotting that would be safer than the CWB. However, for anyone wiping your car dry, CWB is just as safe or safer than a towel, chamois etc. Last time I went to order the BBT they were sold out. I should check to see if they have more.



Eric
 
O.K. I have read the, "Perfect Drying Technique" as well as what is posted before this. I use the Absorber to dry my truck but in the pass I wiped the paint instead of blottled it. What are the cons of wiping the paint instead of blotting it? Also, my mirrors always hold at least a Tablespoon of water in them after I dry. I always have to slam the doors and drive around the block to get all the water out. What can be done to prevent this from occring? I thought of removing the mirror and appling a silicone bead around the inner part of the base. AND where can I get the waffle weave MF towels that were mentioned? Thanks in advance!



Henry
 
Ben Carufel said:
Hey guys,



I'm currently using a combination of California Water Blade and 100% cotton towels to dry...





Thanks!
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Right on!! This is what I have used for 2 years on my black '96 Cobra, and have had no adverse effects whatsoever. One tip that I will give to all is to stick your hand in the bucket of soap and then clean the blade, then rinse dry and shake of excess water. I can't tell you how much time this thing has saved me.



I use Ralph Lauren 100% cotton towels (generously donated by my old lady) and they are soft and very absorbant--nicely broken in. Besides, the only do the cleanup and hard to reach areas (see: around antenna base, etc).



:xyxthumbs
 
Big Boi said:
O.K. I have read the, "Perfect Drying Technique" as well as what is posted before this. I use the Absorber to dry my truck but in the pass I wiped the paint instead of blottled it. What are the cons of wiping the paint instead of blotting it? Also, my mirrors always hold at least a Tablespoon of water in them after I dry. I always have to slam the doors and drive around the block to get all the water out. What can be done to prevent this from occring? I thought of removing the mirror and appling a silicone bead around the inner part of the base. AND where can I get the waffle weave MF towels that were mentioned? Thanks in advance!



Henry
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1. The theory is that by wiping you are creating microscratches in the paint which can be avoided by blotting. And that if the towel picks up a piece of grit, wiping will drag it around the car scratching as it goes. With microfiber I don't have a problem with the first part and frankly don't worry about grit pieces either. Most people who blot have dark colored cars with soft paint (i.e. Porsche) which mar incredibly easily.



2. Why not use some compressed air to blow out the mirrors? I think every side mirror ever made traps some amount of water. I don't know what silicone would accomplish but try it if you like.



3. Waffle weaves are available at most of the MF towel suppliers. Start at Autopia Store - click on the "shop!" pic icon at the top of this page.
 
Are yall talking about the waffle weaves available from here?



What about those absorber pads



Also, I was going to ask about the leaf blower, is that safe?



jon
 
Big blue waffle weave from microfibertech.com :bow



In the winter (when its real cold) it takes that and a couple of normal MFs to dry, but in warmer weather all the water is soaked up by the waffle weave in a matter of minutes :up
 
WW from Pakshak, mf from Pakshak.



Sheeting technique, then blot the water (after using an electric leaf blower to remove any excess water) then dry with mf. Then mf and QD:up .
 
If using a water blade is an accident waiting to happen using a compressor is a disaster waiting to happen. Any rust in the tank of the compressor will effectively turn the device into a sand blaster.

I have used the water blade on both light and dark colored cars and have never had a problem. I did find that the product really did not conform to curves well unless significant pressure was applied and I was uncomfortable with doing this.



As of this weekend I am a micro fiber towel believer, the Big Blue from CMA has to be used to be believed.



What I did not need was another mystery to ponder on Friday nights with beer and poppers. Now instead of only trying to determine the direction of rotation of the propellor ( BMW logo-motorcycles!) I now also get to contemplate just where does the water go after a mf towel is used??
 
RJJ said:
I did find that the product really did not conform to curves well unless significant pressure was applied and I was uncomfortable with doing this.
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Actually, the CWB instructions tells you to use a finger or thumb to push that spot of the blade down to reach recessed areas. Push down on the large, flat part, not the blading surface itself. I used to have similar trouble with a ridge in my hood until I bothered reading the instructions better! :p



HTH
 
4DSC said:
Actually, the CWB instructions tells you to use a finger or thumb to push that spot of the blade down to reach recessed areas. Push down on the large, flat part, not the blading surface itself. I used to have similar trouble with a ridge in my hood until I bothered reading the instructions better! :p
Click to expand...



Waittt, you guys had to read to figure that one out? It kinda just came to me :).
 
I use my CWB to get the majority of water off the hood, top and tonneau cover, then use the leaf blower to get the water out of the mirrors, door handles, around the side windows on the extended cab, around the back window, the 3rd brake light cover, the taillights and the roll pan, then the grill and headlights.



The I dry with a mf waffle weave. I got mine from www.pakshak.com. He posts here, he sells the mf towels that are as good or better than anybodys, he gives great service, a discount to Autopia members and he's just a guy trying to make a living. He deserves my support because he's proven that he's one of the good guys and sells good stuff.
 
4DSC, I don't recall seeing that advice on the packaging. It certainly may have been there though-I did really try to like this product. Much unlike Big Blue towels, which were love at first use, the lack of drag is unbelievable.
 
Used cotton towels for a while, then the Absorber (didn't like it). Recently switched to Big Blue waffle weave from CMA. Can't imagine using anything else. Great product.
 
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