i finally got my tc in yesterday. today i washed it and dried it with a shammy, but the shammy left spots and streaks everywhere. I use to clean my old car with a regular towel, like the ones you use to dry yourself off when u shower, but i think it might have caused a few slight scratches. should i find a different brand shammy and try it again or what? any suggestions are appreciated, thanx

dont use a regular towel! talk about hairline scatches and lint everywhere! The Absorber works great!

i second the absorbers...just wash and wring 'em out real well after each session.

thanks

Um... before you get the absorber, I've got it. It's vaguely decent. Not good. Get a bunch of microfiber towels. Costco sells big packs of them for like $10. If you car is really clean, you can get a california water blade (like a silicon squeegie) to get most of the water off first, and then follow up with micro fiber. The Autopia forums (and maintenance on this board) will back me up there.

Absorbers are like 10 year old technology. I have one and I'm totally dissapointed with it. It just doesn't dry all the way.

i use a chamois towel. its really a good absorber. its soft as hell too.

the absorber works great for me

Um... before you get the absorber, I've got it. It's vaguely decent. Not good. Get a bunch of microfiber towels. Costco sells big packs of them for like $10. If you car is really clean, you can get a california water blade (like a silicon squeegie) to get most of the water off first, and then follow up with micro fiber. The Autopia forums (and maintenance on this board) will back me up there.

Absorbers are like 10 year old technology. I have one and I'm totally dissapointed with it. It just doesn't dry all the way.

I don't have a tC, but I use the California blade on my box and it works GREAT! I bought an Absorber and I really wasn't that impressed with it. It is just like a big towel sponge that doesn't really dry the car too well. IowaGary has it right:

1) California Water blade
2) Microfiber towels from Costco
3) Wax that puppy up and buff with micro-towel

microfiber towerls are best.

i love my absorber and if you prepare it right it will work great

california water blade, followed by a leaf blower

John

Absorber. Pull it widthwise, and it won't leave any water spots. Think of it as a squeege shaped like a towel.

Does the waterblade really work that well? Anyone get any scratching from it?

Does the waterblade really work that well? Anyone get any scratching from it?

I have the water-blade thing and it really does work well. You have to go after it on certain parts with a towel (door handles, washer nozzles, etc). I have not had any scratches after using it...you have to ensure that it is really clean before using it.

Some people are a little wary of the water blade because if there was grit on your car, you could scratch it. The funny thing is, if you had grit on your car, yo ucould scratch it with anything. The water blade is FAST and works good, especially on windows and other flat parts. I think it takes about 2/3 of the water off my car, which lets me finish fast with micro fiber. Some people have dust free areas and leaf blowers and that seems to work good, but most people can get a $10 set of towels and not a leaf blower.

The long and short of it is make sure your car is REALLY clean, then wax or polish it to protect it - after that, a decent wash will keep you safe.

yeah, if your going to try the leaf blower thing, make sure that the area that you are working in doesn't have any dirt or dust.

John

http://www.autopia.org/forums/

Never quit learning...

Mr. Clean Auto Dry Car Wash... you don't even have to touch your car!

i've had the california blade for a while... i'm scared as hell to try it on the paint itself, but it works great on the windshield and roof (all glass baby!). I always used a chamois and i always got frusterated as hell at all the spots i left ): BUT... i just went out and got the Mr. Clean Auto Dry and i'm very impressed with it! I've only been able to use it once, but it seems to work really well. it may wind up being expencive in the long run however... anywayz, so other people use the california blade on the paint huh? i might just have to give it a try... anyone have any trouble with the California Blade?

moved....

i use the absorber too get the bulk of the water and followed by micro fiber towels

and i use the absorber to dry me after a shower

now they just need to come up with a way to wash your car with out water now waterless car clean system or some thing like that

Waffle weave microfiber towels. Leaf blower works great for front grill, rims, mirrors, etc.

Also keep in mind if its a new chamois, it will need time to break in to become fully absorbant. The absorber itself just plain sucks.
I usually use a chamois, however, I think i will try other recomendation of the microfiber towels and the blade.

The blade is fast and easy - quickly gets a ton of water off a clean protected car. The microfibers seem to work similar to chamois, but you can wash them (no fabric softener) and they are very soft, so unlike a chamois, I don't feel like I'm going to scratch things. As always, the key is to clean the car right in the first place so you don't have anything on the paint to scratch it with anyway.

now they just need to come up with a way to wash your car with out water now waterless car clean system or some thing like that
My sister once told me of a drive-thru car wash that only used foam (yes, I realize there is water in foam). It sprayed foam on your car and then blew it and all the dirt away with air. Clean, dry, car.

Wether or not it works, it sounds like fun - I'd like to ride through one of those :)

The Absorber works great, if you are using it right. Be sure to wet it and wring it out, just like a chamois. it doesn't leave any more drops or streaks than a microfiber towel will and no lint...

the dealership i bought my car from uses the california water blade to dry the cars right before they go to customers, and after i saw them using it, i figured that it's probably pretty good and safe for the paint. i've used it twice so far, and it's definitely awesome. as long as the car is really clean, there shouldn't be any problems with scratching it.