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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > how do you guys dry your cars after washing?



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      01-14-2013, 06:32 PM   #1
N8N
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how do you guys dry your cars after washing?

So I paid Raja Ventureshield a while back to do a paint correction on my car and figured I would invest in some better car wash products than I've used in the past. I have to admit that since I've been driving company cars for the last seven years or so my method of washing has usually been "drive through automatic car wash"

So anyway I get on DD and order the basic Sonax car wash kit with the soap, wash mitt, little bucket insert thing, and a pair of waffle weave drying towels.

Here's the thing - either I'm doing something horribly wrong or those towels don't dry worth squat! Tonight I finally had a chance to wash the car when it wasn't raining, I wasn't stuck at work late, and I wasn't miserably sick with the flu (ugh!) So I washed it at the place down the street, left the wash bay, drove home about a half mile, then tried to dry the car, and even the tiny bit of water left on the windshield just got pushed around rather than absorbed. Not a big deal for now because, well, it's winter and it'll look like hell in two days anyway, but eventually it's going to not be winter anymore and I'm going to want it to look really ,really good. And I can't, not with water spots all over it!

Before I break out the old school chamois (yes, I have at least two!) that I know will work, what are you guys using?
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      01-16-2013, 06:25 PM   #2
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I use the pooling rinse method (look it up on youtube); I then use an electric leaf blower to finish my drying process
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      01-16-2013, 07:38 PM   #3
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Pooling method then leaf blower, and last a cobra waffle weave guzzler towel to get the rest of the water drops off
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      01-16-2013, 07:45 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otruba_843 View Post
Pooling method then leaf blower, and last a cobra waffle weave guzzler towel to get the rest of the water drops off
You must shop at autogeek


I do the same thing
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      01-16-2013, 08:31 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neothin87 View Post
You must shop at autogeek


I do the same thing
Maybe

Just got this shipment in today. The washmitt is so soft I can even describe it. There is no way this thing is putting swirls in the paint! Best $10 ever spent

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      01-18-2013, 07:37 AM   #6
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Pooling. Spray detailer with waffle
microsoft towel drying method.
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      01-18-2013, 10:41 AM   #7
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1. Pooling / Sheeting method
2. Detailed Image Waffle Weave

This is what I wrote as a DI review for the towel:
Quote:
Reviewed by Mike P. on 10/20/2010
Would they buy this item again? Yes
I love when these go on sale so I can stock up. The waffle weave does make a difference compared to normal microfiber towels, it really soaks up the water. And unlike some competitor's products, I never have lint issues with my DI towels, and it's safer on the soft BMW paint than cotton, chamois, or an "Absorber".
Combined with the pooling method, one of these towels is enough to dry the whole car.
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      01-18-2013, 11:18 AM   #8
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I use 1 - 2 DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towels. They are paint safe, highly absorbent and very durable. Even when they are wet they keep soaking up more and more water.



As always we offer 10% off with the code e90post! Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be happy to help.

Greg @ DI
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      01-18-2013, 11:21 AM   #9
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Get a blower at Home Depot for $30 (homelite). Then use a QD if you did a thorough job and a waffle weave. Also would recommend Dodo Juice "time to dry", just a bit pricey but it works.
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      01-22-2013, 11:04 AM   #10
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Has OP washed the towels? This sounds like the problem when you wash towels and add softener. Or when towels are just old.

Time to buy new ones.
Try and dry the car at the car wash place too. That will minimize water spots and dirt scratches.
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      01-22-2013, 01:22 PM   #11
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i use 3-4 items.

1.california blade (only for windows, do not use on paint as it may cause scratches)

2. absorber. Soft on paint, absorbs lots of water and reusable.

3. electric leaf blower. for wheels/emblems and mirrors.

4. microfiber for what ever is left.
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      01-22-2013, 01:39 PM   #12
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I watch the Mexicans dry it at my local car wash
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      01-22-2013, 07:17 PM   #13
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I know that technology has changed so much over the years, but imho washing an object hasn't changed all that much. I use a chamois--defies logic how much h20 they sop up.
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      01-22-2013, 07:23 PM   #14
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Leaf blower for drying everything on my car then if any water left I go over it with a microfiber mit.
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      01-22-2013, 10:47 PM   #15
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Waffle weave towel. Works great.
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      01-23-2013, 02:17 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vapore0n View Post
Has OP washed the towels? This sounds like the problem when you wash towels and add softener. Or when towels are just old.

Time to buy new ones.
Try and dry the car at the car wash place too. That will minimize water spots and dirt scratches.
I agree. Make sure you wash the towel with microfiber detergent. I always use the "clean washer" setting to rinse out any regular laundry soap and softener from the machine before I wash my microfiber towels. I even rinse out the tray where you put the softener to make sure there isn't any when I wash them. I'm may have a small OCD problem.

Anyway, to dry the car I usually fold the towel in half twice, spray some QD on it, and blot dry the section I just washed from the top down. This avoids dragging anything across the paint.
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      01-23-2013, 12:27 PM   #17
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I'm not very patient so I use the body squeegee and then of course a absorbent towel (the ones that have to remain sealed) It has done wonders even on my black automobiles that I might put 18hrs worth of detailing into on a stretch. (the pooling method in addition of course goes without saying)
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      01-23-2013, 02:15 PM   #18
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This is the place i go for car wash

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      01-25-2013, 02:54 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Detailed Image View Post
I use 1 - 2 DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towels. They are paint safe, highly absorbent and very durable. Even when they are wet they keep soaking up more and more water.



As always we offer 10% off with the code e90post! Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be happy to help.

Greg @ DI



one of these and the leaf blower.
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      01-25-2013, 04:22 PM   #20
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Well I was using a waffle weave towel, but it was from DD not DI... brand new never washed... but I have not been able to wash car since as it's been below freezing consistently! Resembles a salt lick now more than a JB E92... was really hoping to be able to try out some suggestions but no such luck...
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      01-25-2013, 04:29 PM   #21
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Coming from a former detailer. A shammy manufactured by water sprite is your best bet!
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      01-25-2013, 06:20 PM   #22
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I use one of those California blades to squeegee off most of the water and then a micro-fiber cloth. Hasn't created any scratch that I can see.


I am kidding!! Of course I don't do that! Only a caveman does that.



A rainbow forms where I wash my car and then a golden unicorn comes running down from the rainbow so that I can cut off the tail of said golden unicorn to properly dry my bimmer. Golden unicorn tails absorb a ridiculous amount of water. Much better than using a plain white unicorn tail.
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