How to pat dry?

[stealthwolf]

God knows, this sounds silly but how do you dry the car properly?

I've got some proper drying towels (CG's miracle dryer ones) but I don't think I'm drying the car properly and end up frustrated and wipe the car down - very bad, i know!

The way I've tried is to place the towel, fully unfolded, onto a surface, eg the bonnet. Then I press on top of the towel, very lightly, with my hand. But I find this doesn't remove much water and even after patting the entire towel twice, still has water droplets left over.

I've also tried 'dabbing' a folded towel, turning to a clean side when I move on to a new surface. Picks up a bit more water but still not great.

What am I doing wrong?

[kdiz]

Im no expert here but I have seen videos showing detailers wipe their car down by starting off at one end and placing even pressure with two hands [one on their side of the towl] and slowly moving from one end to the other. Given you do have the good towls it should soak everything up.

[Jkctr]

Mate as long as your car is clean and the towel isnt too old or has dirt in it you will be fine wiping. Swirls and micro scratches are unavoidable.

I just wipe mine (yes i videoed leave me alone  )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThPKSsxRx6o

Theres detailing, then theres anal retentiveness!

[Conker]

I wrap my fist in Bounty kitchen paper (it has to be Bounty) and then punch each panel until its dry.

It also helps if you say "eat it, sucker" a lot while you beat the sh!t out of the panels.

I then wet sand the blood stains off with 0001 steel wool.

[dan_apps]

I wrap my fist in Bounty kitchen paper (it has to be Bounty) and then punch each panel until its dry.

It also helps if you say "eat it, sucker" a lot while you beat the sh!t out of the panels.

I then wet sand the blood stains off with 0001 steel wool.

[gibby]

Dry it with one of these, well worth the money. http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/eurowxlarge-waffle-weave-microfibre-drying-towel-26-x36-.php Just bought one myself and I can't believe how quick and easy you can dry the car.

[stealthwolf]

I use three of these: http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/chemical-guys-miracle-dryer-ultra-absorbent-towel-25-x36-.php

But the question is pat-drying technique.

I then wet sand the blood stains off

Obviously a weakling. Try punching into sand, fine stones and coarse stones and then try again. Your skin might be tough enough to stop bleeding.

[gibby]

There's a pat drying technique ! I just use my waffle towel and dry the fecker. As long as the towel is clean and all the dirt is washed off the paint then there's nothing to scratch it if you wipe it down.

Watch the first few minutes of this, shows using a waffle towel and also pat drying. Doing the vac bit is taking it a bit too far. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZCi0_55ZDo&feature=related

[gibby]

There's a pat drying technique ! I just use my waffle towel and dry the fecker. As long as the towel is clean and all the dirt is washed off the paint then there's nothing to scratch it if you wipe it down.

Watch the first few minutes of this, shows using a waffle towel to wipe and also pat drying. Doing the vac bit is taking it a bit too far. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZCi0_55ZDo&feature=related

[...joe]

I wrap my fist in Bounty kitchen paper (it has to be Bounty) and then punch each panel until its dry.

It also helps if you say "eat it, sucker" a lot while you beat the sh!t out of the panels.

I then wet sand the blood stains off with 0001 steel wool.

BWAAAHAHA HA HA HA HA genious!!!

but in all seriousness, i just lay the towel on and drag it slowly across. then go back if it doesn't pick it all up.