i bought a chamois to dry my xb with, but it still seems like its scratching the paint a little........any recommendations for drying?

 

try using a ABSORBER..
but i know a guy who uses a leaf blower to AIR dry his car...
hahaha anyways... good luck man...

 

You may want to try the Mr. Clean Autodry product.
http://www.homemadesimple.com/mrclea...ry/index.shtml

 

Microfiber terry cloth seems to work OK.

 

check out www.griotsgarage.com

 

Here is a site that you can get a $5 coupon from. I ordered mine, and it took too long to get here, i went and bought it anyway, for about $18. Dont you know, the damn coupon came in the mail the day after.

www.autodry.com

BTW, the first time i used the Mr. Clean system, i was 1/2 impressed. I like the technology behind it, but, i did end up having spots on the roof from where water sat. I think next time, ill wash it, use the filtered water at the end, and take it for a spin around the block to help dry it off. Waiting for it to dry takes for ever ....... and ever .... and ever ....

 

For me, cheap terrycloth beach towels torn into 2-foot squares work fine. Start drying from top to bottom, then pop all doors and dry the parts you can't get at when them closed.

Air-drying, even with a leaf-blower, doesn't seem like a good idea for us folks with hard water.

George

 

i have really hard water and i hate it

 

thanx for all the suggestions i hope i can find something that works?

how do i cover the fine scratches that are on the paint?

 

I use a synthetic chamois. They are easier to use and to wring out and are easy on the paint. I used to be a detailer, so I've tried them all. I also like the micro-fiber towels. Costco has some good ones but prefer the shammy and then follow up with the towels in the cracks. Just always use a light touch. Cut all the tags off the towels and wash mitts etc.

Always wash from top to bottom. If you want to get really careful, get two washmits and use one for only the bottom half, etc. Don't scrub the bottom and then use it on the top unless you've rinsed it, etc...

I would try Meguiars cleaning wax to get out the swirls and the Gold to finish it off.

 

i like the mr. clean auto dry system. the main thing you have to remember is to rince all of the regular rinse water off when you're spraying with the auto dry water. if that make sense... and make sure you flush out the mirrors too, cuz a lot of water likes to build up in there too.

yeah, you're gonna have to wax it to get the scratches out. i have got my xB in black sand pearl and theyre always there, but im so lazy to do it as often as i should.

 

Leaf blowers work good on motorcycles but I think parts of a car would start to dry before you could get all the way around it. We use leaf blowers on harleys all the time.

 

I use that California Water Blade, I bought it at Target. It is made of Medical grade silicone ( ) and doesn't affect the paint. Here is a link:

Water Blade

It works great on my Accord, but even better on the xB. With all of the straight lines the car has, drying is a snap. I run the blade over as much of the car as I can, then I finish up with a terry cloth towel to get whatever drops remain.

Saves me a bunch of time and makes the box shine!

HTH

 

I have been using the Cali Water Blade for years now. It definately cuts the drying time in half. Follow up with a terry cloth towel.

 

I've got the absorber. Works great, and has reduced the swirls on my black sand pearl. I think the soap from washing the towels creates a film on the car or something cause when I use that, I get significantly less swirls. I love black, but boy is it a beast to maintain!

 

I too use the absorber, but I think tommorow I will be out in searh of the water blade.

 

Don't use beach/bath towels unless they are 100% cotton. There are fibers in most beach/bath towels that are pound for pound stronger than steel and will DEFINATELY scratch your paint.

Cleaner wax will work on some swirls/scratches, but most deeper will need rubbing compound. If you have a lot, take it to a reputable auto detailer (SEARCH LONG AND HARD) I say reputable, because my brother used to work for a couple... and they'll run the buffer too hard and tear the clear coat off... and then use spray clear with alot of high gloss carnuba to cover up their mess.

 

i use mr. clean autodry... works good... just make sure you're stocked up on those filters and the soap, it runs out so quick and the filter gets hella dirty quickstyle. i just take it to a hand car wash now, 12 bucks and it's smells cherry fresh when i get into it. i hate drying the car and doing the interior, at least with mr clean i don't gotta dry it, but the interior is still a bother. easier just to pay someone. i'm lazy when it comes to cleaning it... you give me a part to stick on there and i'll get it done though :D

 

high thread count cotton towels, martha stewart gangster steez!!

 

Another thing I think helps, in addition to the water blade, is definitely open and close your doors [all of them, including the back hatch] a couple of times. This shakes the water loose from the nooks around the windows and mirrors, in places the blade and the towels don't reach. You'll see it run down in little lines otherwise.
I noticed this happen the first time I washed the car. the next morning the water was still there, and made their little trails. Didn't notice the trails til I got to work. :twisted: