Surprised how well drying towels worked
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 334
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Surprised how well drying towels worked
Review: Switching from Chamois to Drying Towels forum recommended
The Backstory: I’ve always used real or synthetic chamois, but they perform poorly in cool weather. Today, it finally hit 50°F in Indiana, so I gave the car a bath to test a new method.The Results: I tried a specific microfiber drying towel and was honestly surprised: amazon.com/dp/B0DPZTLVHL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_t itle
- Zero Water Spots: Even with Indiana's notoriously hard water, the finish was perfect.
- Clear Glass: The windows came out looking great.
- Efficiency: I managed to dry the entire car using just one towel.
Quick Note: The "hard water" is a huge deal because the minerals in Indiana water (calcium and magnesium) usually leave white spots if the car isn't dried instantly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,839
Likes: 2,165
From: Kelso, Wa
Hadn't seen these.
We all have our favorites. Adams, Griots, Chemical Guys, The Rag Company, are ones I use. Chemical Guys and Griots PFM being my primaries.
I was in your camp, using only genuine chamois for car drying, but having to soak them and wring them to get them soft and the problem of getting into the tighter places had me looking for a better solution. Then they invented MICROFIBRE!
We all have our favorites. Adams, Griots, Chemical Guys, The Rag Company, are ones I use. Chemical Guys and Griots PFM being my primaries.
I was in your camp, using only genuine chamois for car drying, but having to soak them and wring them to get them soft and the problem of getting into the tighter places had me looking for a better solution. Then they invented MICROFIBRE!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 312
Likes: 234
From: Torrance, CA
Review: Switching from Chamois to Drying Towels forum recommended
The Backstory: I’ve always used real or synthetic chamois, but they perform poorly in cool weather. Today, it finally hit 50°F in Indiana, so I gave the car a bath to test a new method.The Results: I tried a specific microfiber drying towel and was honestly surprised: amazon.com/dp/B0DPZTLVHL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_t itle
- Zero Water Spots: Even with Indiana's notoriously hard water, the finish was perfect.
- Clear Glass: The windows came out looking great.
- Efficiency: I managed to dry the entire car using just one towel.
Quick Note: The "hard water" is a huge deal because the minerals in Indiana water (calcium and magnesium) usually leave white spots if the car isn't dried instantly.
The point is that it's no more work to wash a dozen microfiber hand towels than it is to wash one large one. They go in the wash cycle, cold water, then into the dryer on minimal heat or air fluff, done. So, whichever you prefer to work with. 🙂
Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 515
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From: Forsyth Illinois
I air dried my ceramic coated '21 with an Adams blower then wiped the door pockets with a waffle weave towel. Never had to put a towel on the carbon flash nacelles and they looked like factory new when I sold it last fall. Air dryer got rid of the nagging drips from window trim and mirrors as well and didn't have to worry about swirl marks either. On the list for a '27 GS, so will ceramic coat this one and use air blowing approach on this one too. I am a fan of the waffle weave towels, they do hold a lot of water, and like a chamois, you can wring it out and go again if needed (I do so with my truck).
Racer
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From: Evansville(ish) Indiana
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I think I will have to give the drying towels a try. I currently use an Absorber to get the water off and then follow up with some Adam’s Detail Spray and a microfiber towel. Has worked well, but perhaps I can cut down on the time required for a detail job.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,887
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
I do a thee towel approach, especially on my trucks. On my trucks, the first towel (CG Woolly Mammoth) I use for everything except the bottom 1/4 of the truck/rockers, the roof, and the door jams. I use the second towel (CG Woolly Mammoth) for the bottom 1/4 of the truck including the rockers and the roof and the third towel (CG Workhorse) I use to wipe down the door jams.
Wheels I use a terrycloth towel....
Woolly Mammoth Microfiber Drying Towel, 36" x 25" | Chemical Guys
Workhorse Professional-Grade Microfiber Towel 3 Pack | Chemical Guys
Wheels I use a terrycloth towel....
Woolly Mammoth Microfiber Drying Towel, 36" x 25" | Chemical Guys
Workhorse Professional-Grade Microfiber Towel 3 Pack | Chemical Guys
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 137
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I air dried my ceramic coated '21 with an Adams blower then wiped the door pockets with a waffle weave towel. Never had to put a towel on the carbon flash nacelles and they looked like factory new when I sold it last fall. Air dryer got rid of the nagging drips from window trim and mirrors as well and didn't have to worry about swirl marks either. On the list for a '27 GS, so will ceramic coat this one and use air blowing approach on this one too. I am a fan of the waffle weave towels, they do hold a lot of water, and like a chamois, you can wring it out and go again if needed (I do so with my truck).
I get all the big water spots off, spray some ceramic detail spray on it, and wipe it down with a waffle-weave towel.
I don’t do this anymore, but on my old Camaro (which wasn’t ceramic coated), I could almost “dry” it just by using water from the hose with no nozzle. Then I would spray detail spray on it for a final wipe-down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,762
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From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
Same for me. My car is ceramic coated, so drying is pretty easy. I have a handheld, battery-operated air dryer. I also have the old plug-in Adams handheld air dryer. In my opinion, the Adams dryer is better at getting air out of all the crevices, but only because it has a very narrow nozzle.
I get all the big water spots off, spray some ceramic detail spray on it, and wipe it down with a waffle-weave towel.
I don’t do this anymore, but on my old Camaro (which wasn’t ceramic coated), I could almost “dry” it just by using water from the hose with no nozzle. Then I would spray detail spray on it for a final wipe-down.
I get all the big water spots off, spray some ceramic detail spray on it, and wipe it down with a waffle-weave towel.
I don’t do this anymore, but on my old Camaro (which wasn’t ceramic coated), I could almost “dry” it just by using water from the hose with no nozzle. Then I would spray detail spray on it for a final wipe-down.
good point..I should have added that i also do the same...It hit the car with my backpack leaf blower first and follow up with the towels...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 63
From: Iowa
California Water Blade to get off the big stuff and then one big gray Griot's MF towel to finish. I couldn't believe how great the MF was compared to any towel or chamois I had ever used. Nice and dry, but if the sun starts to make spots before I get to a section, there is enough moisture in the towel to remove the spots and dry everything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,155
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
A leaf blower, specialty car drying tool, or even a quick drive is best for most washes. Same for the wash. I normally do not touch the paint. I probably only "touch" the paint twice a year. I do have SFM which is super easy to keep clean unlike a black car.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 29
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From: wisconsin
I bought a short attachment for my leaf blower and with ceramic coat it gets almost all the water off. Use micro fiber to get the rest and a couple more for the wheels,door jams and engine bay. I also use a ceramic maintenance spay from the manufacturer every 4 or 5 washes.
Last edited by dan n; Feb 18, 2026 at 11:13 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 186
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From: Paso Robles, Ca
California Water Blade to get off the big stuff and then one big gray Griot's MF towel to finish. I couldn't believe how great the MF was compared to any towel or chamois I had ever used. Nice and dry, but if the sun starts to make spots before I get to a section, there is enough moisture in the towel to remove the spots and dry everything.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 334
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 334
From: Indianapolis Indiana
My first job was as a detail at dealerships. Please, please, please, touch your car as infrequently as possible.
A leaf blower, specialty car drying tool, or even a quick drive is best for most washes. Same for the wash. I normally do not touch the paint. I probably only "touch" the paint twice a year. I do have SFM which is super easy to keep clean unlike a black car.
A leaf blower, specialty car drying tool, or even a quick drive is best for most washes. Same for the wash. I normally do not touch the paint. I probably only "touch" the paint twice a year. I do have SFM which is super easy to keep clean unlike a black car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
I have a couple dozen of the 12x12 ish ones of different brands that work pretty well on my CC e . Ironic i bought what i thought was a 4 pack of them but it was a single 35x24 .....they work great and i just bought another . One use then they go into the all in one washer dryer normal setting but no fabric softener and i take out before completely dry . I too was impressed how well they work but i do use a leaf blower to get 75 % of the water off first