how do you dry your car?
 

is the chammy still the best? microfiber towels?

what do you use?

I use a low pressure setting on my hose to get most of the water off and do a low pressure rinse, then I take out my leaf blower and blow it dry. The less you touch the paint, the better!

i actually did that when i lived at home, no leaf blower now though.

Clean Microfiber towels for me.

:word: Electric leaf blower ftw. If I decide to wash my car at a local self serve place, I only go to the one that has an blower. Like xxscaxx said, less stuff touching the paint, the better! :thumbsup:

Personally I use microfiber towels, usually two each time.

And I think the proper spelling is "chamois," if I'm not mistaken.

I use a leaf blower to get the water out of the front grill and to blow any remaining water from the tail lights.

"The Absorber" synthetic chamois and compressed air. Only when the car is thoroughly clean, and I try to use different ones for each car I clean.

http://www.sailcharbonneau.com/images/Absorber.jpg

+1 for this.

The Absorber is by far my favorite. After I use this Absorber chamois, I go once over the car again with a microfiber. :D

A lot of detailing enthusiasts use a microfiber waffle weave towel.

I lightly spirit mine with a quick detailer, I use Mothers' 'Showtime' QD which smells like cinnamon. This adds a bit of lubrication to prevent micro-marring and light swirl marks.

If your car is waxed well or similar, then take the nozzle of the hose, so that water is just streaming off. Now direct that water horizontally onto the car so that the water layers up and just slides off. This makes it much more easier to dry and also decreases the number of water spots that can form during the drying process.

This is also known as the water sheeting method of drying.

I was able to dry my garaged FR-S by blotting the towel over leftover water droplets, so I didn't have to drag a towel across the paint.

Oh, I didn't know to use the sheeting method after washing, too. I always start the wash with it but never to dry. However I use a Mr. Clean Auto Dry with the filtered water to reduce water spots. Then the Absorber then compressed air, and keep it out of the sun the whole time.

sheeting method (described above) => small electric leaf blower => waffle weave microfiber towel

I just washed my car last night and thought, "There has to be a better way to dry this." I hate using towels and chamois - they take too long, are inconsistent, and I always feel like I'm scratching the paint when I use them. I think I am going to go ahead and get an electric blower.

+2 i love this thing

I would use the sheeting method, then blot the paint dry, use a slick QD and new plush MF towel and wipe down.

I really like to use DI water, as I don't have to dry and can leave the water on the car with no fear of spotting! CR Spotless system bought from Costco.com is the best deal around.

Cheers,
GREG

I have a synthetic flubber-like drying towel. It's about 10"x10" and I can dry my entire car in about 10 minutes with it. I just keep wringing it out and reusing it. I swap it out when when it gets remotely dirty, at $4 it's really not a big deal.

leaf blower then MF, yes quick shine helps!

Can i simulate this leaf blower effect by gunning down the highway and back to my garage briefly?

Towels work well most days, although on colder days still get some watermarks.

Electric leaf blower.
If needed, I get out my computer duster for tighter areas.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
Bonus is that I never need canned air again. Ever.

Blot anything left with a towel.

I like the idea, but I think that leaf blowers usually blow about 200 mph, so you will need a serious turbo kit for that!

Or just wipe down with micro fiber. Then use spray wax then wipe with micro fiber. No streaks no stress perfect shine.

waffle weave microfiber towel

I wash my car at a DIY place and they have a spot free rinse. I do this, then light mist with instant detailer while wet, and then a very light touch with a big microfiber (6 sq feet) which I wring out every so often. Then lightly go over with small microfibers to get any left overs.

I noticed a few light marks the last time I washed it but I'm not sure if it's from drying or my wash mitt. Small enough that they'll disappear with a good wax but still there.

Planning on getting a polish and opticoat soon. Subaru clear coat is SOFT. :(

Nathan

Metro Air Force Master Blaster is what I use. Its basically a giant hair dryer but filters the air unlike a standard leaf blower and has a vacuum style hose and attachments to get in the smaller areas that are a pain with a leaf blower.

Just received mine yesterday and can't wait to use it.

Previously tried leaf blowers (electric and gas) and still ended up using MF cloths. I expect the Metro will be much better and quicker.

My car cleaning habits were formed long before there were all these newly devised methods for detailing automobiles. Our old bath towels end up being used to dry the car when I go to the do-it-yourself car wash. As much as I like my FR-S it's still just a car.

use a silicone water blade that i got for $20 at walmart, then spray eagle 1 wax as u dry as the car is still a little wet.. and then dry with a microfiber towel(s) until i get that glossy shine woooo

I'm OptiCoated. 90% of the time, I'll wash the car, then drive down the highway for 10 minutes and it works perfectly.

When I need to look absolutely perfect (shows, meets, etc)... I use an air compressor to get every nook and cranny.

I've never touched the paint for drying. Consequently, I'm over 5000 miles and don't have a single swirl mark. :) Too anal?

+3 I was skeptical but this thing rocks, I will be buying another.

I've heard bad, bad things about water blades... never used one, personally :iono:

They're only bad if you have contaminants still on your paint. Because then you'll be dragging those along with the blade.

I have one. Only use it for windows.

That's what I suspected. Kind of like using a dirty chamois.

I use a big waffle weave microfiber towel. You drape it on the car then walk around dragging it across takes about 2 mins total and is streak free.

Whats a good leaf blower to use? Anyone know?

I don't think there's a huge difference in this kind of a scenario. When I do use one (if I visit my family's place), I use my dad's, which is probably 25+ years old.

If the leaf blower is not soley used for drying a car, and is used in a dustless environment you are dusting your clean car with tons fine dust.

Cheers,
GREG