Deep Gloss Auto Salon: "High Mileage" Ferrari 360 - Opti Guarded

[jw]

I was curious what you guys use to dry your car off with. Is the big blue drying towel good. Also where do you guys buy your microfiber towels?

 

[vettefan67]

I personally have not tried the Big Blue drying towel. Way too expensive for my tastes.



I use 1 Neatitems microfiber towel to dry the car, wringing occasionally. I then use 1-2 MF's to QD the car and then another dedicated towel to dry and spray wax doorjams and under trunk areas, etc.

 

[JonB]

Big Blue is absolutely better than the Absorber or Water Bandit. It is thinner and lighter, with less chance of scratching. It holds more water and absorbs it faster. The result is much faster, safer drying. I finish up with one quality MF ie YoSteves or Neatitems.

The price is a bit steep compared to the others same as with many of the things you use for detailing. ie Souveran, PC, MF's vs Terry etc I now have three Big Blues. Since drying is one of my least favorite detailing jobs, I think they are worth every penny!



:xyxthumbs



H

 

[turnipgreen]

I just bought one a little while back, to replace my old fashioned chamois. My limited usage has been kind of positive. It does soak up water well, and is large. My only problem has been that once it gets wet, I have a hard time wringing it out. But it is much better than the chamois as it doesn't dry brittle, and soaks up water better at the beginning.



I wish I had bought two so that I could get my car bone dry without wrestling with the wringing so much (I plan to by another soon).

 

[JonB]

What kind of car do you have? My cars are relatively small so I don't have to wring it out while drying. I do wring it when I'm done and I just fold it once or twice and it wrings very easily. It isn't stretchy like the WB or Absorber so it has a different feel when wringing it out. I bought the other two cuz I have a couple of cars to wash and now I don't have to wait until it dries!



H

 

[Solaria]

I bought one several weeks ago and it worked great. I found you do need to have 2 towels to completely dry the car. One was just not enough for my Maxima.



I found out that Bed bath and Beyond has a MF towel by Aquais that has the same size and waffle design for only $17. I may just go buy that one and try it out. It is 80/20 blend, so it should be OK to use.

 

[imported_JeffBruce]

I just bought some more, Big Blue is great. Fast and easy.

But you diffently need more than 1 ...four is better if you do muliple cars...I soak in dawn/water bucket to clean and air dry.



jeff

 

[imported_memnuts]

I use the P21S synthetic chamois followed by final drying with a 100% white cotton towel. I use the chamois to bloat an area and than wipe with towel. This may take a little more time but vast majority of the water is absorbed by the chamois and only very gentle wiping is necessary with the towel. The P21S chamois never mildews or dries out and comes with its own case for storage. I have seen a significant decrease in wash induced marring using this method. :up

 

[old_gonzo]

I decided to go with the Neatitems bath size microfiber towels, and not too long ago I purchased 5 of them. They are a blessing compared to the use of the Absorber. I do not wring these towels out. When they are saturated, that's it - I pick up another one.



Washed the Escape yesterday and used 3 of them to dry. All of the larger size towels seem pricey, but I couldn't bring myself to splurge on the Big Blue towels. Even on sale, they are $25.00 each.

 

[imported_Intermezzo]

The BBT is definitely easier than all the methods I've used before. However, like BigBoyHF said, it will have trouble drying the entire car before becoming saturated if you don't sheet most of the water off while rinsing.

 

[imported_BretFraz]

BBT's and a CWB is the WTG, IMHO. :xyxthumbs

 

[TortoiseAWD]

arcticwhite,



I know it's still not cheap, but the BB can be bought from CMA in a two-pack for $39.95. Personally, I recommend getting two; I purchased one, and liked it so much that I went in on a two-pack with a friend. So, yeah, I spent $45 for two towels . . . OTOH, I haven't regretted it yet. I've tried 100% cotton Charismas, the Absorber, and the Water Bandit, and IMO the BB is far and away the winner.



Tort

 

[pingiii]

Used the water bandit and a MF towel for a while. I have since picked up 2 of the large size MF towels from Top of the Line, and I have been using those of late. I find that 2 of them will dry my mid size truck. I still use the cotton detailing towels for door jams and under the hood area.

I will pick up a big blue towel this sping, and give it a try. Enjoy!

 

[RiccoDesign]

Call me frugal (not usually) but I simply cut my big blue in half to make two regular sized towels. The towel is huge and cutting it in half makes it a lot easier to wring out. Following up the initial pass of the first towel section with the second half is sufficient to dry my entire car.

If you want more than one (which you will) and the price turns you off you may want to look into this method.

RiccoDesign@aol.com

02 Porsche Carrera 4S, 00 Porsche Boxster "S", 00 GMC Denali

 

[imported_JeffBruce]

Ricco..Good idea.. may have to try cutting in half...spending that kind of money then taking sissors to it...ahhhh...but may try it..

jeff

 

[JonB]

I kind of like the size. I flip it over the horizontal surfaces and may give it a slight tug rather than dragging it. When it starts getting damp, the added weight is good for dropping it along the sides. I drag it across the windows for and instant clean window.

I sometimes wring it out if I did not sheet the water off well enought. I just fold it over and wring half at a time. There is no way you are going to wring all the water out, but enough to continue and finish drying. I also don't try to get the car perfectly dry with the BB. I know that I will finish with a MT. The MT is just about damp when I am done, and the car is dry.... I pretty much use the same technique with the Water Bandit, but I find BB to be faster and easier. I don't think I would want to cut it in half, but everyone has there own preferences.



Two Porsche's = frugal?? NOT!!!



H

 

[RiccoDesign]

Bibboy:

I had a hard time typing that frugal post with a straight face.

I came up with the "just cut the friggin thing in half" idea after I got tired of trying to wring it out.


RiccoDesign@aol.com

02 Porsche Carrera 4S, 00 Porsche Boxster "S", 00 GMC Denali

 

[Jademonkey]

Is there any way I could get the big blue drying towel in Canada?

 

[Deep Gloss]

Deep Gloss Auto Salon
360 Modena In Corso Rosa

It's been awhile since I have posted a write up but since this owner requested I snap a few pictures I figured I may as well share

This is a ?high mileage? 360 Modeno in Corso Rosa with 40,000 miles on the odometer. The paint had not been taken care and as a result even after leaving my hands there were very random isolated deep scratches present.

Polishers Used:Makita 9227
Griots V2 DA
Megs V2 DA

Pads used:
3M Wool Pad
Megs Compounding MF
Hydro Tech Tangerine
Hydro Tech Crimson

Compounds/Polished used
M105
Menzerna Power Finish
Menzerna 85rd

Paint Protection:
Optimum Opti-Guard

Wheels/Tires/Arches:
Optimum Power Clean
Tropicare Dressing


Misc Products Used:
CG Metal Shine
1z Gummi Pflege
Ultima Trim Guard
Leatherique
Z10
Surf City Glass Cleaner


Befores:

Direct Before and After Shots:
Before:

After:

Before:

After:

50/50

Sun Shots (After):

Beauty Shots After:

 

[imported_kakeuter]

Awesome awesome awesome. Great work! By far my favorite Ferrari and now it's in the right state of mind.

-Kody-