Exterior care proceedure for well kept car

[Ebg18t]

I just use the basic yellow foam applicators. Cheap and they work well.

 

[cardaddy]

AWESOME! Thank you all for the great info! So far my order list is as follows:
(5) T365GH Elite Hemmed Edge Microfiber Towel 16''x16'' 360gsm
BLACKFIRE Quart Foamaster Foam Gun
CarPro Iron X Iron Remover
Chemical Guys Clay Eraser Mitt � Super Fine
P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo
Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion
(I own an almost new tub of p21s wax)

Who can suggest a great applicator pad(s) for my pinnacle/p21s hand work?

:welcome: to AGO!

One thing... you *should* get A LOT more microfiber towels. I'll typically use 5~10 wiping LSP's (waxes or sealants).

I take it you're using a blower to dry it? :dunno:


Can't go wrong drying with a blower, then BLOTTING the back of a drying towel with your open hand.

Towels like the Cobra HD Guzzler from Autogeek, or a nice Korean Waffle Weave (the Korean comes from outside vendors, which the AG Gods frown upon here in the forum.) :laughing:

Then again... one can never have enough microfiber towels! :buffing:

Here's a shot from a while back. PLENTY more now!

 

[shaolinfox30]

Thank you Ebg18t .
cardaddy I don't use a blower (a bit too expensive for me) I do however have an extensive drying regime utilizing my chamois's. It takes me longer to dry my car than wash it. I have gotten quite good at inserting chamois between places such as tail light housings with good results.
For this project I may bring out the old air compressor just to be sure.
My (5) MF towels will be supplementing my collection...

 

[timsatx]

I got a blower from HD for about $35, and I am cheap.

 

[cardaddy]

Thank you Ebg18t .
cardaddy I don't use a blower (a bit too expensive for me) I do however have an extensive drying regime utilizing my chamois's. It takes me longer to dry my car than wash it. I have gotten quite good at inserting chamois between places such as tail light housings with good results.
For this project I may bring out the old air compressor just to be sure.
My (5) MF towels will be supplementing my collection...

Sorry to hear that.

FWIW, you can buy a NICE 12amp leaf blower at Lowes 385CFM/230MPH for $59.98 or a 400CFM/250MPH $78.39. :dblthumb2:

On a well sealed (or waxed) vehicle you'll get easily 97%~98% of all the water off just by blowing it.

You MUST have some extensive regime if you're still using a chamois.

REALLY old school natural leather one?
Or synthetic (which is microfiber) one?
(I have some of all of them in my 'archived' products, even The Absorber below.) :laughing:

Could always go back to "The Absorber". I used those many many MANY years ago (when I didn't know any better). Used them on work trucks though, so I get at least a little leeway there. :laughing:

Don't trust any of them for a minute.

Honestly... there isn't enough protection in the depth of the fabric there to save you from unintentional scratches/swirls. ESPECIALLY if you're using the one that you've tucked into all those tight places. Save that puppy for exactly those tight places.

Check out a 3-pack of drying towels like this one:
3 Pack Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towels, 16 x 24 inches

About half the cost of the expensive blower I mentioned above, but they ARE good drying towels. Actually... the only Cobra drying towel I'll use. It's a foam core, so it's even a bit more absorbent, as well as softer than most waffle weaves.

The ABSOLUTE KEY when drying, with ANY towel, chamois, rag, etc. is to limit your rubbing to the utmost minimum. IOW's... place your towel flat, which the foam core guzzle does well, then put your open hand(s) on the back of it and *gently* 'pat' or even gently 'rub' the back of it with your open hand(s).

Of course I don't tend to use even these for a 'pure' drying method (read without a drying aid such as Aquawax for instance) unless I absolutely have to. (As in I'm not working on my own vehicles, and/or not getting paid for a spray wax/sealant.) Reason being.... water by itself just has zero lubricity. Combine that with anything less than a nice plush towel, and it's a recipe for swirls.

Speaking of NICE PLUSH towel. Check THIS puppy out it's about ¾" thick!

Duragloss Plush Microfiber Drying Towel

Me LIKEY! Im the MAN
*Have all three of their Microfiber products.*

Actually... all three of the products from Duragloss are of the same construction, just different size(s). Perhaps a bit expensive, but VERY good for a garage queen that you don't want to end up buffing again to remove drying swirls from.