This is something very frustrating for me... What do you guys use to dry your MINI? What type of fabric, which brand and where can I find it?

thanks!
-erhan

 

I use a microfiber towel, I can wipe the whole car down without wringing it out.

I have heard of people using a leaf blower.

Dave

 

I use a chamois. I would love to get the little blower that people use to chase the water off the car, but that thing is expensive!

 

Dual motor Air Force Master Blaster........no towels at all.

 

microfiber towels from Costco.Q

 

Waffle Weave Microfiber Towel is the way to go. It has really deep "pockets" to absorb a lot more water. I can dry the MINI with 2. Then I always use the air compressor to get all the water in the grill and such. JUST DON"T USE COTTON!

http://www.showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=225

 

I don't dry my car.

I move right into claying it. Left over water helps to lubricate the clay in addition to the clay lube. Oh, the car is pulled into the garage before claying.

 

You clay your car every time you wash it? Wow you must have a lot of time on your hands.

I prefer to clay 2 or 3 times a year (which is plenty) and have a life the rest of the time.

 

I use these. Expensive but leave zero marks on your car and absorb a lot of water.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rying+towel.do

 

Waffle weave microfiber towels are the best. The kind of microfiber found at Costco are not intended for absorbing water. They are ok for wiping down the interior and cleaning your wheels but what you want is a towel that is soft enough to not scratch our paint and absorbent enough to pick up the water with one wipe. The air blowers are best with a waxed surface. So if you maintain your paint well and keep it waxed, those blowers are a good alternative.

Nrob linked my own favorite towels, my Belgian Waffles.

Richard

 

I use a Shop Vac 'in reverse' with a small tip attachment... a true multi-tasker. Put the hose in the other side of the Shop Vac and vacuum the interior when you're done drying the car.

 

Another waffle weave devotee here. nothing else seems to work as well at drying with no water marks with only a single pass.

I wondered what folks did about the water weeping from the tail lights and grille. I didn't think of the shop vac in reverse. But I'd probably be afraid of particulates coming out of the vac.

 

Good point. Also, if you use a air compressor or leaf blower, make sure the driveway is freshly swept. Wouldn't want any crap flying up on your perfectly cleaned car and damaging the paint.

 

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-106-a...ing-towel.aspx

 

The Shop Vac has a huge filter in it so no junk comes back out to bombard the paint.

 

I only hand wash the car 2-3 times per year. Turtle Wax is very durable and lasts more than 6 months.

 

+1 on these...I've tried waffle-weaves from many other sources too, but most are either [1] smaller in dimension (not enough surface area to complete the job; [2] with sewn-in pockets (which seem a bit superfluous and have potential to catch on trim during drying); or [3] have rough, sewn-on fabric edging (seemingly ripe for causing swirls).

In fact, I just decided that I'm going to treat myself to a new batch of Belgians...

 

I have been using "The Absorber" on my vehicles for years! It is a synthetic Chamois and it works Great! I highly recommend them. I have a Blue, Purple and Green one. 8-)

 

Thanks for all the great answers.

 

The waffle weave works very well. I got mine from Meguairs.

 

Which color works best?

 

No it doesn't. There isn't a true wax on the planet that will last six months. Even most of the synthetics won't last that long unless they NEVER see sunlight. You should be using a protectant (wax/sealant) AT LEAST three times a year, four is better. I do six times per, but I'm weird and wash my car 3-4 times per week.

 

The "pockets" are for your hands. You put your hands in there and you don't have to worry about the back of your hand scratching anything or dropping the towel. I too was concerned about the edging but I've never had a problem with swirls so maybe they're dofter than we think?

 

Cheap electric leafblower from home depot

 

Green