Drying the car....What do you use?

[FuryNSX]

I'm at a loss for ideas. After years of washing my cars, I'm still not satisfied when it comes to drying. I've tried different chamois type clothes, both natural and synthetic, and cotton terry clothes. Almost always minor water streaking is left behind. I've read the FAQ, and didn't find anything too enlightening. I think it's time to replace what I've got and try something else.

What do you guys use when it comes to drying your cars?

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1995 NSX-T
1999 3.2TL
2001 Odyssey
1992 SC400
2003 Chevy Suburban LT

 

[Norm]

I like micro fiber towels. I squeegy or blow off excess water then use a smaller one (16" x 16") to get most of the remainder and then "finish" with a larger (25" x 36") towel. I have purchased from several sources but the larger size is hard to find. One source is Griot's Garage. www.griotsgarage.com

 

[zoomnsx]

I use this: http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_2000&L2=L2_2060&SKU=15022

 

[NSX2NV]

I use "The Absorber" I think the case labels it as a sponge cloth. I've gone through 2-3 in 5 years you just throw them in the washing machine after your done and their good as new. Any place that sells washing and waxing supplies should stock them.
http://www.absorber.com/home.html

[This message has been edited by NSX2NV (edited 13 January 2003).]

 

[nsxtasy]

I use 100 percent cotton towels. They only leave water streaking when they're already wet. So you just need a bunch of them. And you can get a bag of 36 for $12 at Sam's Club, so you shouldn't run short.

What I do is go over the entire car with one towel, squeezing it out frequently, just to get the excess beaded water off the car. The surface will still be wet, but the amount of water will be much less. Then I use several more towels to go over it a second time, changing sides and replacing the towel with a dry one as soon as it's not removing all the moisture.

 

[ak]

Use Meguire's Quick detailer after you dry. Takes away the water mark and gives nice shine.

 

[nsx4fun]

I use the California squigee to quickly throw the bulk of the water off. Then I use a Chamois.

 

[SilverOne]

I think it's around $30, an electric leave blower from home depot!!! Works great.

 

[Honda4Life]

I use the California Water Blade, follwed with 100 percent cotton terry towels...

This is the best way I have found to dry a Black or dark colored car without it dryin too fast or leaving streaks.

just my $.02

 

[Soichiro]

Nsxtasy as usual gives good advice. The crux of the matter is - if you are leaving wet streaks on your car you are not drying it completely! Use several passes with cotton terry towels to completely dry the paint. Eliminating these faint streaks will make your car look shinier. Remember to only use straight line motions whenever you touch your paint.

 

[tbNSX]

FuryNSX,

I use the CA Water blade on the windows only, then for the rest of the car the micro fiber towels from costco (one in each hand).

The micro fiber towels are under $11 for a 10 or 12 pack. I find them better and quicker than using terry towels or a chamois.

 

[cpmoran]

I use the CA blade on prelude but i am scared to use it on my nsx will it leave hair like scratches? My car is white black maybe i could use it on the white since you cant see swirl marks or scratchs on the white but does anyone with a black or dark color use the cali blade to dry the entire car. (i know you must go over with something, I use the Absorber)

 

[dustin]

I also use the absorber. I "drag" it across the surface (i.e, I don't apply any pressure other than gravity). Works for me.

 

[tosugrad]

Go to Target and for $7 get a equivalent "California Water Blade" and then go to www.microfibertech.com and order the big 25" x 36" microfiber towel for $15. No reason to waste money at Griots! Works great on all my cars, expecially my black NSX.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I have been using 100% terry cloth towels as Ken does. I live in New York State, have a well as the main water supply and have the hardest water I know. A good coat of wax, helps the car dry better, and I do use quick detailer as AK mentions. It comes out spotless with no streaks. My car is Blk/Blk.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[NSX 3.0]

I'm with Ken and Larry also 100 percent Cotton Towels and never had a problem with them. After washing which I dont do much I just use the Zaino Gloss Enhancer turns out great on Black.

Steven 91 Blk/Ivory

 

[Slingshot]

I use the California Water Blade using little to no pressure to remove the bulk water; then chase with 200 MPH Black & Decker Leaf Blower. Next, Meguiars Quik Detailer Mist and Wipe with 100% cotton bar towels from Walmart. It is quick, spot, streak and swirl free ... with that just waxed look!

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

I also use the absorber...my car is blk/blk like your car fury.What i usally do is remove the nozzle and with a nice smooth stream of water i work it from the roof down drawing as much water off as possible and then i take the absorber and dab the beads that are left and my car is spotless.

 

[PHOEN$X]

I use the sun.

Just kidding! Actually, I wash my car with soft water, which leaves little to no streaks/spots. To dry, I've used (real & synthetic) chamois, 100% cotton cloths, and sponge cloths. Lately I'm leaning toward the latter two, because they're much easier to wring out (or replace, as in the case with the cotton towel).

 

[gheba_nsx]

California blade and soft cotton towel!

 

[john576]

Leaf blower- funny at first, but I'm gonna try it. It may save you from driving it around the block if your doing a "pre-storage wash"

 

[Joel]

What's a good & rather cheap leaf blower? I heard shop-vac is good.

 

[Sven]

I have a question related to this topic. I often frequent the M5 forum since my son has a new one. The posters there are very conservative about using anything but microfiber cloths when washing/drying their BMWs. The prevailing wisdom is that the paint on new cars is much poorer than in the past due to more strict environmental laws. Is the paint on newer NSXs also more vulnerable to damage because of this?

 

[ncdogdoc]

Don't laugh, but I use a portable dog dryer!

Very similar to a leaf blower, but has a 3 foot hose and different tips to adjust the velocity of the air. I follow that up with a fake chamois, then with 100% cotton towels or microfiber towels. Larry is right about the wax. The longer it has been since you did a really good wax job, the harder it is to get the car dry.

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Gary Yates
1995 Red/Tan Boooleevard Cruzer
1992 White/Black Track Rat
2002 Red and White Cooper S - for sale, please inquire

 

[project13nsx]

i use california water blade for the most part then finish up with terry towels. Been great for me so far!!!!