Best way to dry the car - looking for methods?

C

Centexhokie

New member
I live in an area with hard water, so it is important to remove the rinse water from the car. I have been drying the car with micofiber, but it takes a lot of time compared to washing and waxing. Anyone use other methods that work well?

Thanks
 
I "flood rinse" the car to remove most of the water (via "sheeting" it off the surface), followed by a waffle weave to blot most of the remaining water off, finally followed by a plush drying microfiber and a QD to remove any water that's left. After the initial flood rinse, I work panel by panel.

It works well for me, and the whole process might take 10-15 minutes if I move spirited. It has dramatically cut back on my wash/dry induced marring.
 
You can use a "drying aid" such as Poorboy's Spray and Gloss. After you rinse but before you dry, you spray S+G and then wipe. It adds some gloss.

***I should ask, are you "pouring" the rinse water over the car (or "flooding" it) or are you spraying the rinse water? Pouring it over the paint will help minimize the leftover water so you won't have as much to wipe off.

Some people use a leaf blower to dry the car. I don't think it will be a good option in a hard water area, as the minerals would likely stay on the paint enough to form a film.

If you aren't overly concerned about scratching the paint, you might try a squeegee (or Water Blade). That would remove the water fairly quickly, but you run the risk of catching some dirt and dragging it across the paint. (Especially if you do this outside and there is a bit of wind or traffic nearby.)

Have you tried waterless or rinseless washes? Not as much water left over and you could use distilled water so you wouldn't have to worry about hard water anyway (with the rinseless. The waterless washes like Spray and Wipe don't require any extra water added.).

If you keep a good amount of wax on your car it shouldn't "hold onto" much water anyway. The only real exception would be if you used a soap that neutralized the beading of the wax, but as long as you "flooded" the paint during the rinse, that shouldn't be an issue.


Edit: D'OH! I didn't type fast enough. JP beat me! :(
 
Big Leegr said:
You can use a "drying aid" such as Poorboy's Spray and Gloss. After you rinse but before you dry, you spray S+G and then wipe. It adds some gloss.

***I should ask, are you "pouring" the rinse water over the car (or "flooding" it) or are you spraying the rinse water? Pouring it over the paint will help minimize the leftover water so you won't have as much to wipe off.

Some people use a leaf blower to dry the car. I don't think it will be a good option in a hard water area, as the minerals would likely stay on the paint enough to form a film.

If you aren't overly concerned about scratching the paint, you might try a squeegee (or Water Blade). That would remove the water fairly quickly, but you run the risk of catching some dirt and dragging it across the paint. (Especially if you do this outside and there is a bit of wind or traffic nearby.)

Have you tried waterless or rinseless washes? Not as much water left over and you could use distilled water so you wouldn't have to worry about hard water anyway (with the rinseless. The waterless washes like Spray and Wipe don't require any extra water added.).

If you keep a good amount of wax on your car it shouldn't "hold onto" much water anyway. The only real exception would be if you used a soap that neutralized the beading of the wax, but as long as you "flooded" the paint during the rinse, that shouldn't be an issue.


Edit: D'OH! I didn't type fast enough. JP beat me! :(
Click to expand...

I rinse with a spray nozzle on a water hose to rinse. There is a good coating of Finnish Care Pink on the car and the water beads very well, but the beads remain prior to drying. What do you guys mean by flood rinse?

Thanks.
 
Flood rinse = taking the nozzle off the hose, and using a steady stream of gentle flowing water to flood the panels. You'll wind up with very little beaded water on the car after doing this.
 
I flood, use a leaf blower, then dab the areas that drip......like around doorhandles and such. A wipe down with Aqua Wax usually follows.
 
I also use the flood rinse method prior to drying. It really does remove the vast majority of the water from the paint this way prior to drying with the waffle weave towel. Follow that up with a nice quick detailer and it looks good as new.
 
surprised no one caught it....:inspector::inspector:

like Jaredpointer :D and Big Leegr :D mentioned the "flood rinse" is a great way to minimizing water droplets and it does take some patients to get it right, the amount of water flow is the key to how well it works. :bigups
BUT to the best of my knowledge a Microfiber is not the best choice for water absorption...:hmmm::hmmm: if it is feasible get a few waffle weaves as a 1st choice :bigups and or an absorber 2nd choice :) there great for water absorption. the waffle weave is easier to clean and maintain, as the absorber has to be stored in its container or it will dry rock hard and crack.

good luck and Please keep us posted on your progress, we like to help and see the transitions from start to finish. :cheers:
 
JaredPointer said:
Flood rinse = taking the nozzle off the hose, and using a steady stream of gentle flowing water to flood the panels. You'll wind up with very little beaded water on the car after doing this.
Click to expand...
Do that too. I borrowed a Blaster Sidekick(electric compact blower) to try out. I used it after the rinse. I liked it just have to deal with a cord going around the car. It did work well IMO. Just chase the water into the towel. Great when working on a fresh polished surface you don't want to rub on. Autogeek sells them.
 
Pretty much the same as everyone else. In hot weather, where I worry about water spots, first of all, do not wash in the sun unless you are "The Flash." Then I divide car into four sections - hood + both front fenders, 2 sides, trunk + both quarter panels (I have a vert, so I don't have to worry about the top). Then:

Hose a section w/ nozzle to get some grime
Wash
Flood rinse
Absorber for most of the water
Waffle weave to finish

Am getting quick hose connects for Xmas (I think), so hoping this will speed things up a bit. Also, will try skipping the Absorber and seeing if I can do the whole car w/ the waffle weave.
 
JaredPointer said:
I "flood rinse" the car to remove most of the water (via "sheeting" it off the surface), followed by a waffle weave to blot most of the remaining water off, finally followed by a plush drying microfiber and a QD to remove any water that's left. After the initial flood rinse, I work panel by panel.

It works well for me, and the whole process might take 10-15 minutes if I move spirited. It has dramatically cut back on my wash/dry induced marring.
Click to expand...


I do basically the same, though sometimes I use either a leaf blower or blow gun attached to my air compressor in between the flood rinse and using the WW towel. Chases water out of those places a towel can't get to and prevents drips and runs later on.
 
tomas21 said:
Any particular Waffle Weave mfg's that are recommended?
Click to expand...

Any of the sponsors would be fine. Mothers may be available locally to you whereas Poorboy's and Autogeek have specials every so often that may save you some money to compensate for the shipping. (sometimes there is even free shipping!) Plus there's the DC discount to consider.
 
I like using an absborber, it mostly channels the water out and leaves a very thin layer of water behind, that can either be dried up instantly or taken out with a MFN towel. Also takes care of any dried up soap or hard water stains left behind.
 
For those of you that use the Absorber: have you tried the similar looking product available at dollar stores, discount dept. stores and such? Usually around $1 or $2, comes in a plastic tube. Various colors.

Just wondering if they work as well.
 
Big Leegr said:
For those of you that use the Absorber: have you tried the similar looking product available at dollar stores, discount dept. stores and such? Usually around $1 or $2, comes in a plastic tube. Various colors.

Just wondering if they work as well.
Click to expand...

They probably do, but I would think they don't do as good of a job.
 
Big Leegr said:
For those of you that use the Absorber: have you tried the similar looking product available at dollar stores, discount dept. stores and such? Usually around $1 or $2, comes in a plastic tube. Various colors.

Just wondering if they work as well.
Click to expand...

They're xxxx. A client gave me a brand new one he swore by but I won't even use it. These cheap ones are thinner and just don't seem to work the same as the original Absorber
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top