Best ways to dry your car explained
Drying your car is an often overlooked portion of a car wash and it sounds simple enough, but common mistakes include leaving behind lint or swirl marks on the body of the car and streaks on the windows. Even worse issues that can arise from drying incorrectly are scratched paint or etched water marks. Water marks may seem tiny and harmless, but if you are not using deionized or distilled water, hard minerals can embed themselves into your clear coat when emphasized by UV exposure.
Avoiding these mistakes can be pretty simple and you have a few different options. We’ll cover a few of the common drying methods, how each option works, the best use case for every option, what to look for when purchasing, technique and proper maintenance.
Drying your car should be divided into three sections - the body of the car, the windows and other which includes your grill and wheels. Let’s get started with what your options are;
Car drying options:
Microfiber cloth (waffle weave & twisted loop)
Chamois
Airdryer
Car blade squeegee
Note: If the water is sticking and not beading off quickly, this can be an indication your vehicle is in need of a wax.
Microfiber towels (waffle weave & twisted loop)
How they work: Microfiber towels are made of a polyester/nylon blend and as the name implies they are made of microscopic fibers which create a denser towel making it softer, more absorbent, and less likely to wrinkle than cotton. Waffle Weave Microfiber Cloths have a series of tiles called thirst pockets. The high low pattern allows water to be picked up and pushed into the lower sections allowing the towels to stay dryer and can be used longer without ringing as often or switching out towels. Twisted Loop Microfiber Cloths have a series of microscopic twisted loops that allows them to glide over surfaces while absorbing very quickly. (Similar to a mop.)
What to look for when purchasing: Waffle Weave Microfiber Cloth - Double-sided microfiber with large thirst pockets/squares. Twisted Loop Microfiber Cloth - Double-sided microfiber with twisted loop long piles to provide maximum cushion for gentle wiping.
How to Use: Waffle Weave Microfiber Cloth - The high low pockets of the waffle weaves help it stay dryer longer making them ideal for drying glass streak-free. We recommend folding into a square and using it as a wiper and refolding to a new dry side before moving on to the next window. If used to dry the body of the car, the waffle weave also lends itself well to pat drying. Simply lay the towel on the wet surface and pat lightly.
Twisted Loop Microfiber Cloth - Lay flat and pull across the surface. A good twisted loop is highly absorbent and should leave a dry, streak-free surface because the twisted loop glides over the surface. This makes it our top option to dry the body of the car while avoiding scratching or swirls.
How to maintain for best results (washing & drying): (This applies to both waffle weave and twisted loop microfiber products.) Wash in cold or warm water, not hot as water that is hot enough can damage the fibers. Do not use fabric softener as it can clog the fibers and therefore reduces the efficacy of the product. The fibers are naturally soft and do not require fabric softener.
Chamois towel
How they work: Can be made of a synthetic or leather material and highly absorbent.
What to look for when purchasing: Look for synthetic chamois as they absorb moisture better than their leather counterparts.
How to Use: Must be used dampened. Dampen your chamois and begin wiping until the entire area is dry. Laying flat and pulling is a good technique for chamois. Chamois are best used when drying something with lots of surface area to cover quickly. The drawback is chamois are so absorbent they must be rung out periodically. Think bigger vehicles and boats.
How to maintain for best results (washing & drying): Hand wash without detergents and hang dry.
Air dryer
How they work: Uses air flow and hot air to increase the temperature, speeding up the evaporation of water. Since warm air can contain more moisture than air, more water can move from your car's surface into the air, moving from a liquid into a gas state.
What to look for when purchasing: Look for a dedicated car dryer with a replaceable air filter. This will prevent any contaminants from flowing through your hose. You’ll also want mobility either from a long enough hose for your vehicle, wheels or a handheld dryer with a long chord.
How to Use: Tough to reach spots like mirrors, trim, and water drip from emblems.
How to maintain for best results (washing & drying): Clean your filter regularly and replace when necessary.
Car blade squeegee
How they work: Squeegees are used to move water quickly off the car rather than absorb water.
What to look for when purchasing: For wiping off the body of your car, look for a soft and flexible rubber or silicone T edge blade. This means the bottom looks like an upside down T. Great for wicking the water off.
How to Use: Glide the blade across the surface of the car and wipe water off the vehicle. The squeegee works best on smooth, flat surfaces and when you need to work quickly. They’re great for combating water spots. Contouring around curved and sharp lines may require a second pass with a microfiber.
How to maintain for best results (washing & drying):
Wipe off the blade and clean with soap regularly. You can identify that your squeegee is breaking down by excessive noise or streaking. If the blade starts to rip apart it should be replaced immediately. If you have a rubber blade, store out of direct sunlight. Sun exposure dehydrates and deteriorates rubber.
Note: This article is specifically speaking to drying methods for removing water after a car wash only.
