How do you dry your Saleen?
 

What does everyone use to dry there car off after you wash it?
i have been using an absorber but it seem to lightly scrach the car. I have made sure that it was clean but it still does it.

I use the Sham Wow
https://www.shamwow.com/

Microfiber! Doesn't scratch!

Most of the time I just use my leaf blower. Never touch the paint.

Thats what I was going to try. Less work also.

I use the Absorber. No scratches. Do you ever wash it or rinse it off??

I use a large microfiber and ring out the water when it is saturated. I also use an array of spray "wax as you dry" products.

The leaf blower idea made me laugh.

Yes I rinse it everytime I use it. I even bought a new one and it seems to do the same thing.

I use a leaf blower also. Nothing drys the back bumper and wheels off like it.

I do as well.....works great. Although I like the leaf blower idea.

:smile:

Your kidding? lol. I've heard so many horror stories.

I use an air gun and air compressor.

No horror stories here. Dark shadow gray which shows everything and no issues.

I use a combination of Absorber and compressed air to clear water out of the cracks.
No scratches!

Toro leaf blower (electric) picked it up at Home depot on sale $22. . Works great on the wheels and blowing off dust before covering

Electric leaf blowers are great so long as you can work in an environment that doesn't create more dust than it blows away. I used them in my younger days when I wasn't too lazy to drag out the extension cord. They are also a neat trick to blow out the interior of your daily driver.

Hands down, ultrasoft waffle-weave microfiber drying towels are best if you dry traditionally. Chamois and synthetic chamois really don't have enough nap and don't give you really any safety zone if you have residual debris.

Use a soft wash mitt and two buckets -- one for rinsing the mitt and one to apply more suds...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90015.jpg


Use a sheeting rinse at low water pressure starting at the top and going slowly from side to side as you work your way down.

Do an initial dry with a waffle-weave towel... this foam core Mothers towel is available online. Peak brand has an Extreme Weave Drying Towel (PKC0FU) available at Pep Boys and elsewhere...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90005.jpg


Do follow-up drying of wheels and jams with a smaller version...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90006.jpg


Then do a final dry with a plush detailing towel and your choice of spray wax or instant detailer...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90007.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/05724.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/20224.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/10224.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/08224.jpg

Electric leaf blowers are great so long as you can work in an environment that doesn't create more dust than it blows away. I used them in my younger days when I wasn't too lazy to drag out the extension cord. They are also a neat trick to blow out the interior of your daily driver.

Hands down, ultrasoft waffle-weave microfiber drying towels are best if you dry traditionally. Chamois and synthetic chamois really don't have enough nap and don't give you really any safety zone if you have residual debris.

Use a soft wash mitt and two buckets -- one for rinsing the mitt and one to apply more suds. Use a separate mitt and bucket of suds for the wheels and lower portions (usually you would wash them first).

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90015.jpghttps://store.mothers.com/contents/i...sh_Bucket.jpg&https://store.mothers.com/contents/i...sh_Bucket.jpg&


Keep the vehicle wet while you're working. When done, use a sheeting rinse at low water pressure starting at the top and going slowly from side to side as you work your way down.

Do an initial dry with a waffle-weave towel... this foam core Mothers towel is available online. Peak brand has an Extreme Weave Drying Towel (PKC0FU) available at Pep Boys and elsewhere...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90005.jpg


Do follow-up drying of wheels and jams with a smaller version...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90006.jpg


Then do a final dry with a plush detailing towel and your choice of spray wax or instant detailer...

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/90007.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/05724.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/20224.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/10224.jpghttp://www.mothers.com/02_products/p...ages/08224.jpg

Please excuse the Corvette, but here's a simplified overview...

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qVTBBL8WDDM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I use 2 absorbers.
1 for the paint and another one for the wheels and tires.
Never seen any scratches left from them .

Yah no issues either, think it works great.

I use a clean bath towel (walmart special) to get the water up, and another or a microfiber cloth to remove residual water stains and streaks. To be honest, towels work fine as long as there soft and not scratchy or full of residual detergents.

But its important to lay as many coats of wax as possible, contrary to popular belief it does the body good!. when the car feels silky baby smooth its becomes a great resistant against foreign contact damage, even upon heavy collisions. Ive been rear ended a few times HARD, surprisingly only needing to buff off the large black scuff marks that didnt effect the finish. The cars impact literally slid from the slick surface, no friction no damage.

Its funny watching the vid of the corvette being washed, I washed my uncles vette a few times and found the finish not nearly as good as saleen's finish. The vettes finish is really subject to water staining and to make matters works Chevy offered this clear plastic body coating that suppose to protect the finish but did nothing but get pits and ding marks. NEVER GET THAT OPTION!! ITS TERRIBLE!!

I dunno who's the paint supplier for saleen these days but they use to use BASF.

If the absorber is completely clean, as you say it is, and the car is properly clean when you are drying then my guess is that the scratching is occurring during washing and you just don't see it until you have the car dry. It is much more likely that dirt or debris picked-up by your wash mit, cloth, etc is scratching the finish as you swirl it around during wash. Jim D gave some great info on washing and using those hints should help minimize the chances of scratches and swirls. Good pre-rinse, good lubricating wash soap, a wash mit, etc with thick nap, and proper technique (rinse the mit often, etc) really make a difference in the process. As xevious said, good wax or sealer coverage helps to protect the paint from scratches as well.

Thanks for the tips, I have been using zanio's products for about 3 years and never had this problem. I have yet to wax or polish this car as I just got it. I'm not sure what probucts have been used on it in the past, but it looks good and beads water like it should. When I get a freee weekend I'm going to get some zanio on it.

Me too! :smile:

2 Absorbers...never had a problem out of them.

Also, for washes, I use a microfiber sponge with the two bucket method. The sponge is covered in microfiber so you can see if any contaiminates are on the surface of the sponge.

I have learned everything I know from the Junkman. He is sponsored by Adam's Polishes, and has a ton of informational videos on car care. If you want to know everything about keeping your paint clean without damaging it....this is what you need to watch. Here is his youtube site. It has around 25 instructional videos.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Junkman2...20/bnjeHGhFepw

If you want a superior shine, Adam's polishes are the best...they are just a little pricey.

+1 on everything above

I use the sheeting method to cut down on the need for drying... then I use a waffle weave for the glass and paint, and some "rag" microfiber's from Costco for the wheels and door jams

I use an army of humming birds. Just make sure not feed them for a couple of days before they dry your car, so they don't poop it.:biggrin:

I use the spot free rinse option at the carwash then take 'er for a high spirited highway run. I save the old towels for the Mothers Quick Detailer and to clean the odd hummingbird droplet.

I use Adams Microfiber towels. Never scratches.

I dont wash my car with water anymore..just dust it and quick detailer.