How to pat dry?

[stealthwolf]

God knows, this sounds silly but how do you dry the car properly?

I've got some proper drying towels (CG's miracle dryer ones) but I don't think I'm drying the car properly and end up frustrated and wipe the car down - very bad, i know!

The way I've tried is to place the towel, fully unfolded, onto a surface, eg the bonnet. Then I press on top of the towel, very lightly, with my hand. But I find this doesn't remove much water and even after patting the entire towel twice, still has water droplets left over.

I've also tried 'dabbing' a folded towel, turning to a clean side when I move on to a new surface. Picks up a bit more water but still not great.

What am I doing wrong?

[JPC]

a slightly wet drying towel will do a much better job mate. it sounds like that will help you greatly from what you said.

[autoperfection.com]

Providing the towel is clean everytime you use it, there's nothing wrong with wiping the towel across the paintwork using a soft, gentle amount of pressure.  After the wash stage, the car should be clean so you shouldn't have any worries about inflicting damage with any dust/dirt particles.

As JPC says, if the towel is slightly damp it will absorb a lot more of the water.

I too, personally, can't get on with "patting" the car dry because I feel it just doesn't suit me!  I use the wiping method all the time and I've never had a problem with this technique - a good method that I use is to have two towels... have one to lay over the paintwork to absorb the bulk of the water, as you're already doing, then use the second towel to remove any left-over water with the "wiping" method - just need to make sure that the towels are clean 

If you are worried about using the wiping method and causing damage to the paintwork, then it is sometimes a good idea to use a quick detailer whilst drying the car, as this adds lubricity 

[VC]

is this where i get slapped in the face by saying i use a chamois leather?

i've bought said towels too and merely end up spreading water around so give up and revert back to chamois

[JPC]

the thing i would be worried about with wiping is, thats if there is dirt on the paint work, you can bet you will do some damage.
I am reasonably confident i never leave behind any dirt on the car, so if i have to resort to wiping dry (rarely) i will.

But what i do usual:
what i would suggest stealth, presuming you have a good layer of wax on the car IS:

Rinse the car off with an open ended hose, and sheet the water off the car. When i do this, 90% of the water goes. then i can just pat dry the remaining water.

[JPC]

is this where i get slapped in the face by saying i use a chamois leather?


YES!!!

i've bought said towels too and merely end up spreading water around so give up and revert back to chamois

what towel did you buy?

i find the waffle weave ones a bit poor to be honest.

and as with a chammy, the drying towels will work much better when they a little damp

[VC]

 

i've bought all sorts over time, waffle things etc mainly through forum group buys. seems people use withcraft to get them to work, i end up cleaning my zorst tails with them cos i don't get on with them

i will say i do have an immaculate chamois, and the car is always rinsed... but the fear is there

[JPC]

its just that with a chammy, grit can be trapped between the chammy and with paint.

id recomend one of these, the best ive used

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/miracle-dryer-ultra-plush-25-x-36-/prod_362.html

and if you do order, just put on the order jay from miglior sent you! ;)

[VC]

thing is i've bought stuff that looks like that before so would feel like i was just adding to the collection tbh 

need to see one in action 1st hand i think

[autoperfection.com]

thing is i've bought stuff that looks like that before so would feel like i was just adding to the collection tbh 

need to see one in action 1st hand i think

We've got a selection of different drying towels we can show you "in action" when we come to see you in June if you're not in any major hurry to get one 

[VC]

no hurry, i'll keep grinding away with the leather until you come and pat me down with your action 

[stealthwolf]

id recomend one of these, the best ive used http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/miracle-dryer-ultra-plush-25-x-36-/prod_362.html

^^^ I got three of them. Use one for the bonnet, one for the roof and one for the rest.

Like I've said before, I end up wiping the car down anyway.

Thanks for the help guys!

[autoperfection.com]

Like I've said before, I end up wiping the car down anyway.

Thanks for the help guys!

As long as the towels are clean and the car's clean, you shouldn't have any problems 

[stealthwolf]

^^^Are you guys gonna be open on Friday?

[autoperfection.com]

^^^Are you guys gonna be open on Friday?

Yep - we've got you pencilled in!!  Are you still planning to come see us?  I can't guarantee that we'll have any cheese sandwiches, but we've got a mean coffee machine that'll definitely be turned on!