txdoglover

What do you guys use to wash and dry your cars with? I hand wash mine and dry it before I leave the car wash. I have found that some of the microfiber cloths aren't as absorbable as I would like. Do you wash your drying towels with or without fabric softener? I'm thinking the fabric softener may make absorbancy worse.
I've been seeing some very fine scratches on my paint and we noticed some of them last month after it was at the mechanics for work. Thinking maybe they are not being as careful as I would like when they work on it. Or maybe it's what I'm drying it with? Thoughts? thanks.

gluvnaa

I have a black 69 and have tried several waterless car washes.

I think that they are all pretty similar, but I prefer Griots b/c I feel it dries cleaner. You can get it at any local auto parts store.
Mothers is a close second though.

I use 2 high end mirco fiber clothes. One for spray application and one for clean wipe.

Hope this helps.

carjack007

I also use Girots... I have never used soap/water.

lvmyvt76

watch what gets in your washing cloth, that is where a lot of scratches come from. Rinse it out often during the washing part. Never use it on other cars. Some light scratches can be buffed out.

Gilded_Splinters

Agreed. I try not to let my wash mitt sink to the bottom of the pail as that's where grit and dirt wind up. There are things available for this, but you can probably improvise something.

Also. I try to wash the dirtiest parts of any car last. Rims, rocker panels and wheel well areas might have the most junk on 'em, so why not do those areas last?

MrJlr

The "top-down" approach

Dustup7T2

Since my car is frequently driven and has a repaint, I haven't been overly attentive to the wiping tools used. Painted color code 972 Classic White, any imperfections also show the least.

Primarily, I do my washing at a local dollar (remember when they used to call them quarter?) car wash, in a bay vs the conveyor-pass-through. The car sits too low to run there so it sits while I wand and soapy brush the road grime off.

Of course, employing a public soapy brush can hold grime from previous users if not rinsed in a holding reservoir. Again, I'm not too concerned but I clear the obvious before use.

After rinsing with the wand then I have a dedicated Sham-wow chamois wanna-be that is constantly rinsed to dry the car. If soiled during use, I use waterless hand cleaner, like Goop, to hand clean the chamois and air dry after returning home.

Once home, I lay down a fresh coat of Mothers carnuba wax about every fifth or sixth washing. On average, I probably wash the car 4 times a month during driving season.

In spite of other's comments, I haven't washed the paint off yet.

The car is returned to a best of ten-footer status and is as clean as the paint will be until I rack up more miles.

AirborneSilva

I use Mothers dry wash on mine, have a few leaks I need to sort out before I can think about washing with soap and water, but the mothers works fine for me.

To answer your question about using fabric softener on towels, yes it will make the towel less absorbent.

Mikesfreetime

I'm with you my 69 Mustang I restored has never seen water by rain or a faucet. My Vette will not either if its ever finished.

7T1vette

I use the quarter car wash sprayer, but only if they have a "Spotless" rinse option on the selector. It dries while I drive...spotlessly.

Mick71

I've been using "The Absorber" for about five years to dry my black '71, and like it. I use Turtle Wax car wash and two buckets, one for soap and one with clean water to rinse out the dirty sponge before putting it back in the soapy water. I drive my car alot, so I wash it alot, too.

https://www.cleantools.net/products/absorber-xl/

gluvnaa

For my DD, I also use the 2 bucket method. Its really amazing to see the dirt in bucket#1 and to keep bucket#2 cleaner. I have also heard of a 3 BUCKET method - but Im not THAT picky on my DD. :-)

I also use the Absorber.

Mikesfreetime

Never seen the absorber but my neighbor has a squeegee that he uses. He gave me one and its actually pretty cool. I use it on my DD but not on my collectables.

briankeery

Detail spray and microfibre cloths.........no water NEVER.

kanvasman

I use the squeegee too. DOes not scratch or does not leave any spots. Especially good on outside of windows.

CheezMoe

This ^ I use Griot's! Car hasn't seen water in many many years other than the ah chit rain while out and about.

jkippin

anybody ever use pledge?? I have a 71 c10 super that is Dark Olive Green and I put down a good coat of Mothers on it a few times during the summer. When I get ready to go someplace for a quick cruise and don't have time for a good coat of wax I use Pledge. LOL The nice thing I found about it is if you have any crazing on a Vette it wont leave wax residue in the cracks and leaves an awesome shine.
AS far as I know it does not affect the Carnauba wax....hasn't for me yet any way.

hotrodnick

I wash mine at home using a garden nozzle that has the shower setting. I use what ever car wash that is on sale and rinse good. I use a water blade to get most of the water off and finish with terry towels and micro fibers. A coat of McGuires glaze and wax over that seems to make the swirls go away. A California duster is used between washings. I need to work on my 79 to build it's shine up but my 95 LeBaron looked pretty good using this method. Remember to wipe the door jamb's, pop the hood and dry any thing that has gotten wet. Works good for me.

hereigo

Then dry with compressed and dried air.
I replaced the furnace at a Porsche dealership and learned how the pros detail a new delivery....
I am in the heat and air business, built a refrigerated air dryer like the dealership had....MUST be dry air....

hotrodnick

Leaf blowers work as well