teomcdohl

I've washed and waxed cars, and the hardest part is waiting for the car to dry before starting waxing. As everyone knows, wax + water = not fun. Any suggestions how to dry a car the quickest? Any suggestions on wax? Also, by reading this board I've heard of clay for the first time. After washing a car, then I'd guess you'd clay it, then wax it? Any suggestions?

Additionally, what is the best way to clean excess wax off (in emblems, on glass, ect)

Thanks

tl2go

I'd revisit your supplies and tools. Not sure most will relate to your difficulties drying a car or waxing. Get a gentle wash solution, some good microfiber waffle weave towels for drying and use a quality wax. Water, spotting and excess will become things of the past, IMO.

lusid

To get excess water off a car, I'd suggest a leaf blower (electric favored)

AZuser

Are you telling us that you just stand around and wait for the car to air dry?

As tl2go recommended, get yourself 2 or 3 waffle weave towels. You want more than 1 in case you accidentally drop one. They'll dry your car in no time and won't cause any micro marring/swirls in your paint.

Hawhyen51

I think almost everyone is familiar with a process called "sheeting". Remove the nozzle from the end of your hose and let the water flow over the surface. You'll have little residual areas of water and a MF waffle weave towel will pick those up. For nooks and crannys where water can accumulate, I do use a leaf blower for those areas to simplify the drying process. BTW, my leaf blower is used for that specific purpose and not for anything else.

teomcdohl

thanks for all the replies. its not that i don't mind waiting around for it to dry, the problem is in the trouble spaces (as hawhyen51 mentioned before) can be a pain and tricky to dry. I especially like the leaf blower idea, and the mf waffle weave towels as well. Thanks for all the good ideas.

GTSX-05

iTrader: (1)

Before waxing any of my cars, I wash with any high quality soap i.e. Mequires etc. I use a pressure washer to get the dirt off. When drying I use the "sheeting" method of removing any access water and dry it by hand with MF towels, cloths.

Furthermore, I have a handheld wet and dry shop vacuum which I run over all the nocks and bumper gaps to get all the access water out of the car. Then normally I use a three step wax system applied with a random orbital buffer, I use a base coat cleaner, scratch and swirl remover, and a high quality wax to seal it against the elements.

Hope any of this helps!

stevenmor

Very good thread. Can anyone recommend a certain MF waffle weave towel, or does it matter? Also, where would be a good place to get them.

Thanks!!

lusid

I know exceldetail's site has good MF waffle towels. Even your local car parts place will carry it. Just make sure you get "2" towels, the first towel will pick up the big water droplets, then the 2nd (aka associates) will pick up the remaining water marks left.

lusid

Jesstzn

I use the sheeting then pre-dry with 1 WW then I use my compressed air to blow out the hidden water .. then second WW to do the final dry.

If you use a good sealant and not a cheap OTC wax you apply a lot less and less id accumulated arounf the letters etc.

I use QD and a tooth brush if I have to remove someone elses "slathered" on wax.

I don't apply sealants "over" the letters but around them ... what takes a little longer in the start saves in the end.

Wax/Sealants don't need to be applied in gobs .. just makes longer drying times and promotes streaking ... should go on thin and even.