best drying method to avoid swirls

Leather chamois
Absorber
Cobra waffle weave
California blade

I live in the salt belt so in the winter I try to hit the car wash once a week. I need a good drying technique that will reduce scratches.

I love my absorber to get most water off the body. I usually hit the spray wash with auto dryer then use my absorber.

If washing at home I use a two bucket method and microfiber. But when it's 32 degree down to -20 below I'm not risking busting my pipes at home.

I need a good after spray wash method for drying.

 

I use a backpack leaf blower when I actually take the time to dry my truck

 

Beat me to it bro

 

Haha yeah man I'm quick

 

x3

 

I use the absorber but don't actually "rub" or "wipe" with it. I just swoosh/lay it on the hood/roof like I'm flipping a sheet over a bed. Then kinda do the same on the sides. Hold by two top corners and let the bottom flop on the truck. Wring out as necessary. It gets the bulk of the water off. Then I just go over it lightly with a MF drying towel. Use a waterless wash/wax spray to assist in drying with the MF towel if you need a little more lubrication.

 

I also use the absorber and haven't had a problem yet.

 

I like your style. "Ideally" this is my weekly plan. However, three kids and Temps dipping below 10 don't always let that happen.

I've had silver and white in the past and did not have a problem with detailer in colder weather, but had black and it was like one big smudge. Never did find the right detailer for ford black.

Blazing blue pearl is now my color choice and wondering if anyone has a recomedation for blue? If you haven't seen it: it's metallic, blue, slightly darker in dark environments, slightly lighter in bright light, but not a true pearlescent blue. Nothing like Cadillac' pearl white, or whatever it's called.

 

I've done this before. Problem is when material that has been lodged in the blower comes flying out. If you have a dedicated car blower that's fine. But using it for yard work and auto detailing I have had a few episodes

 

Leaf blower FTW.

 

Best method is anything that doesn't actually touch the paint. Like a dedicated blower.

 

The problem with an absorber is if there's any grit between it and the paint it'll scratch the crap out of your paint since there's no place for the grit to go.

Your better off using a microfiber mitt if you don't use a leaf blower.

 

That's why I never rub/wipe with an absorber. Just dab or lay it flat and lift.

 

X2. That is why my absorber went in the garbage. I use a jumbo microfiber plush towel from Detailers Domain.

 

Not going that route again. Leaf blower is nice. But it blows everything in its path including any dust in the garage or debris on the ground. Gets rid of water and let's a fine dust collect before I get my spray detailer on.

Might try that waffle weave cloth. Just not sure about having to launder it each time. Maybe dab dry absorber, then waffle weave.

 

don't use the wafffle weave, you need a really plush MF

 

I agree. I never did like those waffle weaves. I bought one last summer and it just seems to smear water around.

 

Waffle weaves are only good for cleaning glass.

 

I find this is the best. I have a master blaster which blows warm air. I use to use it on my Harley Davidson after I washed it. This thing 4 hp. It works great getting all the water off the truck. You can still buy them.

 

I've always been curious about those silicone blade drying tools. Sure seems to me like there's significant scratch potential there. Can someone with experience chime in?