SVX Network Forums Live Chat! SVX or Subaru Links Old Lockers Photo Post How-To Documents Message Archive SVX Shop Search |
IRC users: |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Drying the car. What is your preferred method?
Well up until now I've always used cotton towels to dry my car after I wash it. I have been experiencing tons of scratches caused by the towels since my new paint job. What could i use that will be better?
Respond fast; i want to wash my car later today!! Mike |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
I use a California Blade followed up with an Absorber (Wal Mart) like a shammy or a shammy.
__________________
. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
I second Earl's vote
for the Water Blade. Just remember to carefully clean the edge before touching the paint!
Todd
__________________
Down to none |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Do you think the water blade will have less of a propensity to scratch my paint than a towel?
Mike |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
I use old bath towels that have been washed and dired with fabric softener. There must be something in your towel or it's too soon to be washing your car. I think it takes like 3 months (?) for the clear coat to harden or at least that's what I was told when I had parts of cars repainted after body damage.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
It's been 4 months now. Apperently the roads are a lot cleaner where you are, but in order to keep my car clean i have to wash it between 4 and 6 times a week.
Mike |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
This winter has been awful for car washing. I usually wash it every other day or so. Hose it off, wet car brush it and towel dry it. Last winter it was warm enough to do this at least once a week. This winter I used a car wash once a week to keep the salt off the car. The windows and and doors froze on a few occasions.
I am real sorry to hear about the scratches on your car. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
I've had the California Water Blade for about 2 years now.. I love it. To get what it misses just carry along a small towel or something. I always use it though cause it is so quick and never will scratch your car as long as you take care of it.
__________________
2020 Subaru Outback Touring - Wife's first Subaru 2005 Volvo V70R - 5-cylinder love! :Heart: ** SOLD **1998 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Wagon - MOST RELIABLE car I've ever owned ** SOLD **2006Subaru WRXSTi (Former "Boxer4Racing.com / Continential Tire" STi) - Built EJ22t block / EJ207 JDM STi "big port heads" - 9,000rpm MONEY PIT!!! ** SOLD ** 1995 "Tree-Hugger Green" SVX L AWD(5 MT) --- "Gumby" 130K miles #399 in MY95, my original love... |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
I use the Absorber to dry off all of my freshly painted cars at my shop. I've never once had a problem with it leaving any scratches. Many people are confused on washing and waxing their car after it's painted...you can wash it immediatly when it's done. Waxing you are supposed to wait at least a full month after it was painted.
Megan |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
The water blade is good, but have you tried a leaf blower?
If the last thing you do is run a gentle sheet of water across the surface less actual water will remain than standing off with a hose and a direct spray. Then an electric leaf blower will get rid of the rest - including in the little cracks that always seem to seep when tried by towel. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Agrees with Lee. If you take off the sprayer/nozzle from the hose, and just run a gentle stream of watero ver the car, most of the water will just 'sheet' off and it'll be REALLY easy to try. Also invest in one of those super absorbant artificial chamois things. They're great, and they dry it streak free.
- Rob |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Using an Absorber,the one in the plastic tube, is the best thing.They work great and even better the older they get. I have been using the same one for at least 15 years. I have never tried a water blade, but would like to sometime.I also remove the nozzle for the final rinse,leaves way less water that you need to remove. If you are using a car wash to wash your car then obviosly you will be unable to do that.
__________________
Mike 92 LSL Teal 103k 00 RS 2.5 Silverthorn Metallic 36k 68 Chevy Camaro 07 Forester XT Sport |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Hopefully when you say 'wash' you mean actually using a mitt or rag to wash the car and not just a high pressure hose at the car wash. High pressure blasting not only pushes grit into and across the paint, it also does a poor job of removing dirt. If you use anything on it after just blasting it you will get all kinds of scratches.
I'm too cheap to use a water blade, I just keep a wash mitt, an old wiper blade and a couple terry towels in the trunk.
__________________
ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician. Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Yeah, pressure washing doesn't work real well. A nice soft mitt is best.
|
#15
|
||||
|
||||
i also endorse the Water Blade and Absorber (i use 2 - one for the body and one for the wheels).
the silicone on the Water Blade is supposedly several times less likely to scratch than a cotton diaper. i've been using it for years without any scratches whatsoever.
__________________
Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
|
|