I used to just use beach and shower towels to dry my previous cars, but they left a bunch of micro-scratches. I heard that microfiber was a good way to go, but in my case, microfiber = microscratches. I've used shammies, but it takes forever to dry, and the car has to be in a cool, dry, shaded place to not have water spots everywhere. Anyway, what do you guys normally use?

 

microfiber /= microscratches

i use microfiber towels and the paint is fine

 

Try an Absorber. That is the BEST thing you can get! Also, the California Car Squeege isn't to shabby either! That helps A LOT with drying the the glass part, which takes some time to do with the Absorber.

 

If you use a towel, you can't go wiping it over the surface.

You have to drop the towel on, and then lift it directly up. Always avoid dragging a towel (yes, even microfiber) over the paint.

I use a leafblower.

 

DUDE I don't know why, but that just sounds so wrong.... LOL!!

 

yeah the absorber is great. i use that a lot....but just like ^ said i have heard the leaf blower works well too

jake

 

I'm wit Paul
This is going to sound insanely stupid, but. . .

I've tried the absorber, the microfiber towels, and any soft cloth you can think of. The best thing I have found so far is a combination of a soft water maker, ie mr. clean car wash gun, and a leaf blower. lol. Never have to touch the car in most cases. Sometimes when the leaf blower acts up I wash the car and hope on the highway, when I get back I do the "drop on" towel method with a brand new microfiber towel. Do not reuse microfiber towel. Even if you clean the poop outta them they still carry tiny dirt pieces that can leave swirls. I usually do a wash and wax during the change of seasons too, then and only then do I wipe down the surface with a microfiber towel and absorber combination. I have some light swirls from when I go to shows and do the quickshine thing but I usually get them out when I wash and wax.

I know I sound insane but it only takes me a few minutes to dry the car off in most cases. lol

 

Dirt baths. Sand damage and full refinishes!

 

I use the Waterblade and Absorber combo. Gets almost all the moisture fairly effectively. Only bad thing about Absorber is you have to use it about a thousand times before it soaks up water the right way....

 

i use that rubber squeege and it works wonderfully.

 

I just bought one of those absorbers last night...Ive never had any trouble with it...this is the mini one too.
Microfiber finishing towels work wonders too.

 

California Water Blade, then microfiber drying towel.

There's different kinds of microfiber. Make sure you're using a drying towel. It's made to absorb water better. Some of the other microfiber towels are made for glass, or buffing, or cleaning other various parts.

You should always wash/dry in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight, no matter what you use.

-THE DON

 

I've always used genuine sheepskin chamois. They work remarkably well if you use 'em correctly. Pre-wet it ring it out (I use the roller thing, two rollers with a crank) then lay it flat on the surface and pull it along. I can dry the entire top of my car with 3-4 passes.

IMO, microfiber towles are crap when it comes to absorbing water.

 

i use mr. clean auto dry car wash.. best damn product i've ever used...

well worth the 18 dollars.. it pays for itself quickly

 

I just go to public car wash with good pressure and put the minimum credit (like 75 cent). Use the high pressure soap 60% of the time, 30% on rinse, 10% on spotless rinse. Then I just use the squeege to dry it and towell to get some area.

 

This is what I use.
http://www.properautocare.com/bigbludryint.html

If you aren't using microfiber or a good chamios, like the Absorber, or the leaf blower technique, you are scratching your car. Even if you are using these tools, you could still be scratching you paint if you aren't careful.

 

Wow, thanks for the responses everyone. So many schools of thought on it. I'm confused about the leaf blower thing though, is that the name of a product you can find on the shelf? I'm also going to look into the absorber and a good clay bar, because I've heard good things about both in the past. Those microfiber cloths I was using must be total crap, because I checked each one for any small pieces of dirt I could find, maybe I'll just use em' on the wheels from now on.

 

check out www.autopia.org

Also, a leafblower is a leafblower

 

I have used a soft bath towel (AAGH the scratches, but Scatch X got them out), chamois (rag and sponge types), absorbers and final drying cloths sold in plastic tubes at Target, but the best (i.e. fastest drying method) that I've found are Target's large drying microfiber towels. They don't drip, scratch or streak. JMO

 

One of the best things you can use is a 100% cotton MADE IN USA towel.

Note I put MADE IN USA huge. If it is not MADE IN THE USA it is not 100% cotton. The loops maybe, the backing will not be and that wil scratch. i have used a ton of different drying techniques and the ones I use are:

100% cotton MADE IN THE USA towel
Leafblower
Microfiber (microfiber is paint friendly as long as you pay attention and have a soft hand.)