how do you dry your car after washing it?

[Jumpem]

I used the Mr. Clean spot free rinse sprayer on my Miata and never had a problem. But it doesn't seem to be cutting it on a black car now. I end up with pale water spots all over my car after rinsing it.

I guess I am going to have to try drying it by hand. I'm paranoid about causing scratches though.

What do you guys use to dry, microfiber towels? Do you wash the whole car and then dry it, or wash and dry a small section at a time?

thanks!

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Use a micro-fiber cloth/towel. they work great - no scratches.

Proof

 

[Saint Nick]

I used a leather shammy thing... I do'nt know what it is made out of honestly. It does a good job, but its a pain to wring out. i never dry my car properly

 

[EagleKeeper]

Car drys before it is even washed out here.

 

[ggnl]

I usually just drive it real fast, but I don't like my car very much

 

[radioouman]

shammy

 

[Medicine Bear]

Micro-fiber towel. Can't beat em

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: radioouman
shammy

its spelled "Chamois" :disgust:

 

[Dedpuhl]

I haven't washed my car in 2 years. It's not worth it to have it shiny...with a bunch of door/fender dings and scratches...

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
Use a micro-fiber cloth/towel. they work great - no scratches.

Proof

Nice car.

Can you give me a brief step-by-step of how you got those results?

 

[Sentinel]

just use a soft towel, microfiber pushes the water around.

 

[Jeff7181]

I don't... I use that car wax that doesn't bead... water just sheets off. If it doesn't rain hard enough to get the water moving, I just go spray it with the hose... it's really a spot free dry every time.

 

[SouthPaW1227]

I use a "California Water Blade"

this thing is a miracle of science. the most amazing car-dryer of all time. Just swipe swipe swipe, no spots, no swirls, perfect.

 

[zoiks]

I squeegee the water off and then towel off the rest. Turns out absolutely perfect with no mineral stains.

 

[bonkers325]

hair dryer

 

[Jeff7181]

To the people who use squeegee's or "water blades..." aren't you worried about scratching the paint?

 

[compnovice]

Use distilled water...no need for drying

 

[Actaeon]

For best possible results, get used to washing your car at night. During the day the Sun evaporates the water very quickly and you will get water spots from the residue left behind. During the nighttime, since the sun isn't out, it gives you ALOT more time to mess with the water left behind to reduce all spots possible.

Use a Water Blade to rid most of the water on the vehicle in a quick couple of minutes. By the time you do finish this, 95% of the water is gone. Then get a Chamois Cloth to get all the small spots that you couldn't get to with the water blade. If you want, you can probably skip the Water Blade section, but it saves ALOT of time. At only 20 bucks, its a great deal.

The Result

More over here... (Stock Miata and Rota Circuit 8 are good examples)

EDIT: Oh remember, thats an 11 year old car with no clearcoat! Pretty darn good if I say so myself . Your STi should be even better looking.

 

[CVSiN]

i got this great thing called "The Absorber" its a super soft super absorbant artifical shammy bascially..
very cool can get at most car parts places.

 

[KidViciou$]

i use the turtle was drying towel. when u first use it, there's like a wierd residue it leaves behind, but after a few uses, it's REALLY good! it beats a lot of high quality suede chamois!

 

[pclstyle]

water blade for me

 

[KidViciou$]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
The Result

looks like you slalom a lot

 

[eplebnista]

I let the air dry it.

 

[MiniGolfIsFun]

Water Blade then microfiber to finish up.

Some people worry about scratches when using the water blade, but if you did everything correctly there should be no scratches whatsoever. Been using mine for about 2 years now on a new car and no problems at all with it.

And about microfiber just pushing water around....I don't think it does that. Otherwise my towel wouldn't get wet much and I wouldn't be able to dry the car, ya know?

And as for the absorber, great product.

 

[Kelemvor]

Drive real fast...