What is the technique to properly dry car

O

OCD

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Recently noticed swirls in proper light which I suspect was due to drying technique - Cali Waterblade followed by Neatitems MF (suspect the latter as mechanism of problem) ? MF over surface in part dry from waterblade?. Have seen others comment on blotting technique - seems that this would not completely remove all water and any fine remaining droplets allowed to dry would leave a spot and then be zaino'd in. Similarly any technique that took a while would likely allow some drying with same water spot effect. Thought my initial technique was good until noticing extensive fine swirlling in proper sunlight which is in the direction that I only used with drying. I know there are swirl remover products but if I keep creating them with each wash and then have to remove will eventually be left with no paint. Need advise on how to dry properly without swirling or water spots on black car with use of zaino. thanks
 
Steve,



CARGUY posted a detailed technique for car drying. Please do a search for this topic using his screen name. I'm sure you'll find it. It's one of those posts you'll want to print out and have in the garage with you, its so good.
 
I enjoy using the california Water Blade followed with MF to get the remaining H20.



Some seem to be concerned about the blade scratching, but if you've had a simple physics course, you will know that the blade has less of a chance of scratching paint than a chamois.



The blade pushes water along with just one very fine line actually making contact with the surface, whereas a chamois or any other towel has a much larger surface that can drag dirt across the finish.



The only time a blade has a better chance of scratching is if it's dropped on the surface.
 
After wash is complete I remove the nozzle, allow water to wash over the surfaces then lay/blot the large Neatitems MF towel on any remaining drops. There is no problem the MF towel getting all remaining drops. No spotting, works like a champ.
 
Here's what I do on our Bravada.



I take a mf and take of 90% of the water wringing it as needed.



Then I follow up with QD and a fresh dry mf. I spray some on the towel and some on the car, keeping a damp side and a finishing side as needed.
 
I use a silicon car blade and then use a chamois.



The only time a blade or a chamois will scratch is if there is dirt on the car still. These get caught in between the two surfaces and the dirt scratches. Just make sure you rinse off the blade andor chamois really thoroughly before use.



The blade has a very little chance of scratching on its own, because its made of silicon.
 
I have recently had some good success with this method thanks to great tips from the forum.



1) use hose nozzle to sheet off water

2) leaf blower to blow off excess water

3) Absorber followed by MF towel
 
I have been debating getting a Toro leaf blower too.



Let me ask, do any of the neighbors think your crazy when you have the leaf blower out blowing the car??
 
Yes, lolol..I had my next door neighbor ask me what the hell I was doing?? After he saw how good it worked he said he might have to try it. :D
 
Pats300zx said:
I have recently had some good success with this method thanks to great tips from the forum.



1) use hose nozzle to sheet off water

2) leaf blower to blow off excess water

3) Absorber followed by MF towel
Click to expand...



yep:)
 
Stay away from leaf blowers for drying vehicles! If there is anything in the air between the blower and the finish of the car, it will cause more damage than a blade or chamois ever would. The only way I'd use one is if it was in a more controlled environment than outside.



just my .02
 
I have used a leaf blower for a long time with no bad results...keep it about 2-3 feet away..with a nicely waxed/sealed surface the water runs off quickly with no problems.



Now do not do it on a beach that is for sure:D
 
We're in a brand new neighborhood, so there is dirt and dust everywhere. It's kind of like being on the beach, now that you mention it. You are probably right. Honestly, chamois, blade, leaf blower, compressed air, terry cloth, MF, etc. all will work and have their pluses and minuses. If you use common sense while doing it, you should be OK.



(In my neighborhood, I'll leave the blower for yardwork. At least until the dust settles from construction.)
 
This is what I do, sure it's time consuming but at least I'm not rubbing the paint.



I get my terry cotton towels and I lay them on the wet surface and I pat them. 95% of the water is soaked up and the remaining 5% is air dried with no worries about water spots.



Works like a charm for me.
 
A sink backed up at work the other week, causing water in the the drain on the floor in the lab to overflow. I used one of the huge work shopvacks to suck up the water, and surprisingly it sucked up the water dry. I was amazed. I think it would work on a car but you would have a devil of a time trying to not get the nozzle to touch your car cause you would need to hold it a fingers thickness away from a car without touching it at all. Not to mention how long it would take and your car would probably dry with spots. They should make home installed car driers that you can attach to your garage and just pull in your garage after washing.
 
YoSteve said:
A sink backed up at work the other week, causing water in the the drain on the floor in the lab to overflow. I used one of the huge work shopvacks to suck up the water, and surprisingly it sucked up the water dry. I was amazed. I think it would work on a car but you would have a devil of a time trying to not get the nozzle to touch your car cause you would need to hold it a fingers thickness away from a car without touching it at all. Not to mention how long it would take and your car would probably dry with spots. They should make home installed car driers that you can attach to your garage and just pull in your garage after washing.
Click to expand...



You'd have to sell the car to pay the electric bill :p
 
i use two bath size terry towels...lay em on the hood, trunk & top surface .. roll them off...blot the doors & fenders...then blot with MF for remaining water
 
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