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Drying towel technique - advice needed!

6K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  Mcpx 
#1 ·
Bit by bit I've reformed my car care techniques. I'll never be a full on detailer but I've taken on board the 2 bucket method, ditched the sponges, use better products etc etc.

My latest venture is a microfiber drying towel. I got this from Amazon - it's from Kent Autocare. Nice big towel with a different nap on each side.

Used it yesterday. Didn't seem to absorb much water at all when I dragged it across the roof - in fact it wasn't really drying at all.

I've obviously done something wrong. Do they work best if they are already moist or is it because it is brand new?

Advice gratefully received.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Is this it - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kent-Car-C...?srs=1649008031&ie=UTF8&qid=1520507067&sr=8-1

Which side of the towel did you use and have you washed it prior to first use?

The best towel I've used, particularly for the "drag" drying technique is one of these http://www.in2detailing.co.uk/produ...ibre-twisted-pile-drying-towel-74-x-90cm.html, they also do a "dual" version.

If you're going down the drying aid technique or prefer to use a pat dry technique then you're probably better off with a plush typre of towel such as Fecks Philosophy Professor Plush - http://www.waxplanet.co.uk/fecks-philosophy-professor-plush-drying-towel
 
#10 ·
#5 ·
I've had one of the Kent drying towels and it worked well, as has been said if you dampen it first it's better and if you use a drying aid then this also helps and can add to the finish.

I've got some of Auto Allure quick detailer which I've not had chance to use yet due to the weather we've had ..,

I've also used some AG aqua wax - which is currently on offer with 20% off at Halfords - and this is great stuff, makes drying easier and adds to the finish [emoji4]
 
#9 ·
Have you washed the towel yet? It can help to make new towels more effective, use a non bio liquid without any softener in it, fabric softener kills the absorbency of microfibre stone dead. Wash drying towels separate from any others you use and allow to air dry, a short blast in a tumble dryer won’t hurt but avoid too much heat which can distort or melt the fibres. You can get specialist mf cleaners but normal detergent is just as good, I use Boots sensitive skin liquid and it keeps my towels like new.

The effectiveness of a drying towel can also be affected by the surface you are using it on, for example a well polished, decontaminated and protected surface will throw water off easily, whereas a bare rough paint will hang on to it. Try the towel slightly damp, wet it and then wring the hell out of it, and then wring it regularly during use. A QD can help but again, this is influenced by the protection that is already on the paint.
 
#15 ·
Have you washed the towel yet? It can help to make new towels more effective, use a non bio liquid without any softener in it, fabric softener kills the absorbency of microfibre stone dead. Wash drying towels separate from any others you use and allow to air dry, a short blast in a tumble dryer won't hurt but avoid too much heat which can distort or melt the fibres. You can get specialist mf cleaners but normal detergent is just as good, I use Boots sensitive skin liquid and it keeps my towels like new.

The effectiveness of a drying towel can also be affected by the surface you are using it on, for example a well polished, decontaminated and protected surface will throw water off easily, whereas a bare rough paint will hang on to it. Try the towel slightly damp, wet it and then wring the hell out of it, and then wring it regularly during use. A QD can help but again, this is influenced by the protection that is already on the paint.
You should never "wring the hell out" of any type of mf cloth be it a drying cloth or any other as this can cause the fibre to break down and be rendered useless. the mf towel should be gently squeezed to get rid of any water etc. Many users of mf towels therefore give a wrong opinion on how good a towel is when in fact its down to user error. there have been posts on dw in the past highlighting this fact.
hope this is of some help
regards
todds
 
#12 ·
If the car has good protection on already, also look at ‘touchless drying’ using an open ended hose to sheet the water from your car, leaving just minor areas to finish drying.
This is new to me too and was going to try it next time I do mine. Tbh, I can’t believe I’ve never picked up on it before as drying the car is always the most labourious part of my wash regime.
But otherwise as said, dampen and wring out first. I usually do my glass first as seems to dry the glass well & get the cloth to a nice level of wetness (for want if a better expression) and then dries the rest of the car well.
 
#14 ·
Probably best not to drag the towel if you can help it. Pat drying is better but you could try the drag and roll technique were as you pull the towel along the paint you roll the towel back on itself. There is a Youtube video by AMMO NYC but I can't find it again.
 
#17 ·
I've had a couple of those Kent drying towels in the past and while they'll never be as effective as some of the other towels already mentioned, in my experience they can dry fairly well.

They will get better after a few washes I find, as the fibres will loosen up through a little use. I personal approach with these towels was to use them dry, lay them on the panel and pat them gently to help them absorb the water. I didn't feel confident enough in the quality of the towel to go dragging it across my paint (I may also have missed a spot after all).

These towels don't hold a huge amount so while you could moisten them first, you may then find that you need two of them to get round the whole car without needing to wring a single towel out every half-panel.
 
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