How do you towel dry your car?
07-31-2001, 12:20 AM
#1
Drifting
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How do you towel dry your car?
I've not been able to towel-dry my TLS very effectively at all after I wash it! I'm using two bath-sized cotton towels to get the water off the car surfaces but I can't stop getting water spots and streaks on the surfaces. I've actually tag-teamed the towels to let one air dry while I used the other one and still some spots on the towels saturated and left streak marks.
How many towels do you use? Do you use towels at all? How do you prevent streaking? Am I doing this the wrong way?
How many towels do you use? Do you use towels at all? How do you prevent streaking? Am I doing this the wrong way?
07-31-2001, 12:27 AM
#2
Three Wheelin'
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ditch the towels
get a cheap chamois. i prefer the fake ones because they are very easy to maintain, and if there is a pebble caught it in, youll see it
theyre only a few dollars
i barely use my real chamois
get a cheap chamois. i prefer the fake ones because they are very easy to maintain, and if there is a pebble caught it in, youll see it
theyre only a few dollars
i barely use my real chamois
07-31-2001, 12:48 AM
#3
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I use one Ultra Cloth to dry the whole car. It's an ultra absorbent synthetic cloth that is made in Germany. Don't get the stuff from the far east (except Japan) Ultra Cloth are soft, durable, lint free and suck up water like mad. I found them in the cleaning aisle at the local supermarket. Great stuff at a great price. I've tried towels, old t-shirts, synthetic chamois, real chamois in the past and Ultra Cloth is the best.
When drying with the Ultra Cloth I rinse once in a while in case any dirt was picked up.
When drying with the Ultra Cloth I rinse once in a while in case any dirt was picked up.
07-31-2001, 01:25 AM
#6
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white terry cloth...Kragen's/ autozone sell them like 3 for $6...works really great...only need 2 cloth...at most 3.
oh, and those sh*tty armorall 'no good for anything' wipes.... glass wipes are actually pretty good for birddrops...
oh, and those sh*tty armorall 'no good for anything' wipes.... glass wipes are actually pretty good for birddrops...
07-31-2001, 01:29 AM
#7
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Another vote for the Absorber here..
I like it so much, I have 2 of them, the both work great!!
Keep one in your car along with a small bottle of water. Just in case you get a bird bomb or park too close to a sprinkler or etc...
But sometimes they do leave little water streaks if it is too wet.. you can get rid of them with a dry cotton towel or a micro fiber towel..
Best inventions for washing and detailing cars:
1) Clay bar
2) Absorber
3) Micro Fiber towel for removing dust and buffing wax off
4) Soap - Duh.. j/k
I like it so much, I have 2 of them, the both work great!!
Keep one in your car along with a small bottle of water. Just in case you get a bird bomb or park too close to a sprinkler or etc...
But sometimes they do leave little water streaks if it is too wet.. you can get rid of them with a dry cotton towel or a micro fiber towel..
Best inventions for washing and detailing cars:
1) Clay bar
2) Absorber
3) Micro Fiber towel for removing dust and buffing wax off
4) Soap - Duh..
j/k
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07-31-2001, 09:05 AM
#13
Oracle Apps/Database Dude
ABSORBER
Walmart on 135th and BlackBob automotive section. It comes in a tube a little larger than the paper towel core. It'll say 'absorber' on it. It looks like the chamois rolled up. My kid says it looks like a big burrito.
Good luck, I love my absorber..Like mr tl says ditch the towels
Walmart on 135th and BlackBob automotive section. It comes in a tube a little larger than the paper towel core. It'll say 'absorber' on it. It looks like the chamois rolled up. My kid says it looks like a big burrito.
Good luck, I love my absorber..Like mr tl says ditch the towels
07-31-2001, 09:10 AM
#14
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I have a couple Absorbers, also. They come in a roundish plastic container about a foot long. They are coming in different colors, now, so I have a purple one to match my Meguire's stuff, and my purple California Car Duster.
You can get the Absorber for $8 or so in the Auto cleaning section of Walmart, or any store that sells care care products, probably. http://www.theabsorber.com/
You can get the Absorber for $8 or so in the Auto cleaning section of Walmart, or any store that sells care care products, probably. http://www.theabsorber.com/
07-31-2001, 09:17 AM
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I do use a very, very old t-shirt on the windows. Seems to keep water spots off the best. You have to rub pretty hard, though. Plus, I wax my windows (everything but the windshield that has rain-x on it, so much that I don't use my wipers in the NW).
07-31-2001, 09:19 AM
#17
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I use a California water blade to get off the majority of the water and then an ABSORBER to do the detail work. I bought both of mine at the Target at 119th and Blackbob.
07-31-2001, 11:02 AM
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I use a leather shamois and a towel. I really don't worry too much about the spots because I use the Eagle spray Wet and Shine to finish the car off.
You can use other brands such as Meguires; they all have some sort of spray and wipe detail product.
This gets all the spots off and cleans it up real nice.
You can use other brands such as Meguires; they all have some sort of spray and wipe detail product.
This gets all the spots off and cleans it up real nice.
07-31-2001, 11:21 AM
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Originally posted by TLinKC
I use a California water blade to get off the majority of the water and then an ABSORBER to do the detail work. I bought both of mine at the Target at 119th and Blackbob.
I use a California water blade to get off the majority of the water and then an ABSORBER to do the detail work. I bought both of mine at the Target at 119th and Blackbob.
07-31-2001, 12:01 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
TWO large 100% cotton bath towels; one for mopping off all the water and the second for really drying and detailing. Don't dry your car in direct sunlight and you won't get as many spots. I have a large shamee but its a pain to wring-out so often so I don't use it much.
** DO NOT wash/dry your towels with Fabric Softener; the silicon in fabric softeners will scratch your finish and give your swirlee marks.
** DO NOT wash/dry your towels with Fabric Softener; the silicon in fabric softeners will scratch your finish and give your swirlee marks.
07-31-2001, 12:14 PM
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I use the Water Blade first to get off large amounts of water.
Then I use the Absorber to dry it well after that I use spray detailer. The spray detailer will get off any water spots & leave the car looking like its been waxed. Everybody makes spray detailers some work better than others. Zaino has its Gloss Enhacer,Meguiars makes a few Final Inspection & Quick Detailer.
Eagle Onehas one called Wet, & Mothers makes one also. They all can take off water spots . Zaino I found works the best but its mail order & cost slightly more.
Then I use the Absorber to dry it well after that I use spray detailer. The spray detailer will get off any water spots & leave the car looking like its been waxed. Everybody makes spray detailers some work better than others. Zaino has its Gloss Enhacer,Meguiars makes a few Final Inspection & Quick Detailer.
Eagle Onehas one called Wet, & Mothers makes one also. They all can take off water spots . Zaino I found works the best but its mail order & cost slightly more.
07-31-2001, 12:58 PM
#23
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Be careful of the water blade..............
Originally posted by FTM-1
I use the Water Blade first to get off large amounts of water.
Then I use the Absorber to dry it well after that I use spray detailer. The spray detailer will get off any water spots & leave the car looking like its been waxed. Everybody makes spray detailers some work better than others. Zaino has its Gloss Enhacer,Meguiars makes a few Final Inspection & Quick Detailer.
Eagle Onehas one called Wet, & Mothers makes one also. They all can take off water spots . Zaino I found works the best but its mail order & cost slightly more.
I use the Water Blade first to get off large amounts of water.
Then I use the Absorber to dry it well after that I use spray detailer. The spray detailer will get off any water spots & leave the car looking like its been waxed. Everybody makes spray detailers some work better than others. Zaino has its Gloss Enhacer,Meguiars makes a few Final Inspection & Quick Detailer.
Eagle Onehas one called Wet, & Mothers makes one also. They all can take off water spots . Zaino I found works the best but its mail order & cost slightly more.
07-31-2001, 02:56 PM
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The Absorber is the best thing around I have about 3 of them...You wont go wrong with it + plus you take it everywhere you go in the trunk for those emergency situations....
07-31-2001, 05:33 PM
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This is a neat trick for faster drying. After washing the car take the spray nozzle off the hose, then run the water right out of the hose to rinse, start at the top and work your way down. By doing this way it eliminates the small water droplets that you would get with a spray nozzle, and the water just sheets right off the car making it easier to dry.
One more vote for the Absorber.
One more vote for the Absorber.
07-31-2001, 07:29 PM
#28
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quick question
would using a window wiper work well before the absorber? not just on the windows, but also on the body of the car?
is that a water blade, or is there a difference?
thanks all
is that a water blade, or is there a difference?
thanks all
07-31-2001, 10:00 PM
#30
Drifting
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OK, I went down to Target and bought me a Cali Water Blade and a Cali Car Duster. Can't find the Absorber anywhere. I'll try Wal-Mart tomorrow.
I've just finished putting a coat of Z-6 on my TLS. Boy, whatever Sal Zaino puts in that bottle really shines!
I've just finished putting a coat of Z-6 on my TLS. Boy, whatever Sal Zaino puts in that bottle really shines!
07-31-2001, 11:53 PM
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Originally posted by FTM-1
I use the Water Blade first to get off large amounts of water.
Then I use the Absorber to dry it well .
I use the Water Blade first to get off large amounts of water.
Then I use the Absorber to dry it well .
Ed
08-01-2001, 12:53 AM
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I use the Squeegee (sp) but not only on the windows i use it on both the body and windows. I think its be best way cuz rocks cant get stuck in a Squeegee (sp) so after each wipe u wipe it and take another swipe. and i also use a old clean under shirt to wipe the water left on the car
08-01-2001, 09:06 AM
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Originally posted by thebeginning99
I use the Squeegee (sp) but not only on the windows i use it on both the body and windows. I think its be best way cuz rocks cant get stuck in a Squeegee (sp) so after each wipe u wipe it and take another swipe. and i also use a old clean under shirt to wipe the water left on the car
I use the Squeegee (sp) but not only on the windows i use it on both the body and windows. I think its be best way cuz rocks cant get stuck in a Squeegee (sp) so after each wipe u wipe it and take another swipe. and i also use a old clean under shirt to wipe the water left on the car
08-01-2001, 12:54 PM
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I just purchased a california blade. Haven't used it yet. After all I've read here, I'm definitely going to pick up an ABSORBER and give it a try.
I've always used a chamois in the past. I'm partial to those natural skin products.... Same holds true for me in the condom isle!!
I've always used a chamois in the past. I'm partial to those natural skin products.... Same holds true for me in the condom isle!!
08-01-2001, 04:28 PM
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The california blade is amazing for removing large amounts of water. I have had the Absorber for almost 15 years but I rarely use it. To me a cotton diaper works best. It's very absorbant and sucks up a lot of water. And because it's thin, it's easy to wring out. Been using diapers forever, to wash and dry my cars. Now with the california blade the drying is easier!
08-02-2001, 11:25 AM
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This is a GREAT tip!
I tried this last night, and it works great! There is very little water left on the car after running the hose without the nozzle over the body. I think I rang out the absorber 3 or 4 times for the whole car! Usually you have to ring it out constantly! Great tip, CVCC!!!
Originally posted by CVCC
This is a neat trick for faster drying. After washing the car take the spray nozzle off the hose, then run the water right out of the hose to rinse, start at the top and work your way down. By doing this way it eliminates the small water droplets that you would get with a spray nozzle, and the water just sheets right off the car making it easier to dry.
One more vote for the Absorber.
This is a neat trick for faster drying. After washing the car take the spray nozzle off the hose, then run the water right out of the hose to rinse, start at the top and work your way down. By doing this way it eliminates the small water droplets that you would get with a spray nozzle, and the water just sheets right off the car making it easier to dry.
One more vote for the Absorber.
08-02-2001, 11:57 AM
#40
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Re: This is a GREAT tip!
Originally posted by swhtech
I tried this last night, and it works great! There is very little water left on the car after running the hose without the nozzle over the body.
I tried this last night, and it works great! There is very little water left on the car after running the hose without the nozzle over the body.
Also, another tip; if possible.. wash your car on an incline.. this helps to prevent the water from "standing" on your car on the flat parts.