How to dry with Xpel
#1
How to dry with Xpel
I washed my GS for the first time tonight and I have Xpel over most of the car. How the heck do you dry the Xpel covered panels? I tried several different towel types and they just pushed the water around. Do most people blow dry their cars?
#3
Burning Brakes
same here costco yellow micro fiber, it even matches my car
Last edited by smajicek; 02-20-2017 at 07:51 PM.
#5
^^^ What do you use to blow dry with?
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 02-20-2017 at 10:01 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
#9
Drifting
I dry the car and don't pay much attention to whether I'm drying paint or portions of the car covered with PPF. I usually dry with a blower similar to the Master Blaster but occasionally use a waffle weave micro fiber drying towel with a little detail spray to aid drying or Aquawax. I've had no issues with edges or corners of the PPF pulling up due to using the above drying towels.
#10
I use the smaller 4HP Air Force Master Blaster and a "waffle weave" towel.
The waffle weave towels absorb much more water than a microfiber towel. While the microfiber towels feel plush, they are not as effective in drying than waffle weave towel.
You would not be disappointed using these towels.
I use Microfiber towels for detailing products. They are great for hand buffing polishes, sealants, or ceramic coatings & ceramic coating boost products.
..
The waffle weave towels absorb much more water than a microfiber towel. While the microfiber towels feel plush, they are not as effective in drying than waffle weave towel.
You would not be disappointed using these towels.
I use Microfiber towels for detailing products. They are great for hand buffing polishes, sealants, or ceramic coatings & ceramic coating boost products.
..
Last edited by nmvettec7; 02-20-2017 at 11:53 PM.
#12
Drifting
I dry it the same way I did my prior cars that did not have the Xpel. Usually, I 1st use one of those soft rubber-silicone blade things (forget the name). I have been using one of these on my corvettes for close to 20 years now without any issues. I then use the drying towel that I think Griot's sells-----big blue towels that work great. If you were hesitant to use the rubber blade, these towels will do the job---3 will easily do the entire car. Their latest version may be in a different color---mine are about 5 year sold.
For the rims I use a blower I got from Griot's----I like it better than my leaf blower in that the air flow is more controlled and I don't worry about it blowing sand bits, etc. like I did with the leaf blower.
Notably, with the Xpel I typically only wash the car twice a season. I have been known to gently hose the car off after getting caught in the rain or after the car got dirty (parked for 4 hours at a working farm with all dirt roads---car was COVERED with the road dust)......................and then driving it on the highway for a few minutes to dry it off. Then used a micro soft towel to wipe off the few remaining water spots. yes, I am lazy when it comes to washing the car-----this is the main reason I got the Xpel (to cut down and eliminate the washing, waxing, polishing, etc.)
For the rims I use a blower I got from Griot's----I like it better than my leaf blower in that the air flow is more controlled and I don't worry about it blowing sand bits, etc. like I did with the leaf blower.
Notably, with the Xpel I typically only wash the car twice a season. I have been known to gently hose the car off after getting caught in the rain or after the car got dirty (parked for 4 hours at a working farm with all dirt roads---car was COVERED with the road dust)......................and then driving it on the highway for a few minutes to dry it off. Then used a micro soft towel to wipe off the few remaining water spots. yes, I am lazy when it comes to washing the car-----this is the main reason I got the Xpel (to cut down and eliminate the washing, waxing, polishing, etc.)
#13
Team Owner
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#14
I also have an AF Master Blaster and love it. I previously used an electric leaf blower, and yes, the MB is a little pricey, but it is head and shoulders better.
#15
Intermediate
I use a combination of air blower and the yellow microfiber towels from Costco. The air blower really is great for getting that excess water out of the nooks around lights and such and if you don't blow it out it will leak down and leave nice little streaks.
#16
Le Mans Master
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All good solutions here, but if you don't want to blow dry it, buy "plush" microfiber towels. They work great on mine. Not the thin yellow ones I see a lot of out there, but a thick plush one.
#17
Le Mans Master
I use my leaf blower.
NOT a fan of Master Blaster.
NOT a fan of Master Blaster.
Last edited by Maxie2U; 02-21-2017 at 11:26 AM.
#18
I will add that the Master Blaster or leaf blower method only works well, if you have a very hydrophobic coating on your car. With ceramics, water flies off, and you don't even need to touch the surface with a towel, but any good wax or other type of coating can produce the same effect if you apply it often.
If water on the paint surface is not really beaded it up, the Master Blaster/leaf blower method just moves sheets of water around, and it's not a good method.
If water on the paint surface is not really beaded it up, the Master Blaster/leaf blower method just moves sheets of water around, and it's not a good method.
#19
Le Mans Master
I bought a master blaster about 7 years ago. It didn't impress me. Still had to follow it with a towel to dry the surface properly. It did a good job on the wheels though. Always made me wonder if blowing all that water around could hurt anything.
About a year after I sold my 2009 C6 talked to the new owner. He told me about some issues with corroded plugs under the tail lights to the tune of $350 repair bill. Always stuck in my mind it was caused by forcing water into the lights with the master blaster. Maybe, maybe not?
I ditched the master blaster about a year later. A soft squeegee and some good towels are all I need.
About a year after I sold my 2009 C6 talked to the new owner. He told me about some issues with corroded plugs under the tail lights to the tune of $350 repair bill. Always stuck in my mind it was caused by forcing water into the lights with the master blaster. Maybe, maybe not?
I ditched the master blaster about a year later. A soft squeegee and some good towels are all I need.
#20
Safety Car
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