Things I wish I had done sooner.

[alevine]

If you are blowing the car completely dry you MUST rinse it with deionized water.

http://crspotless.com/

Agreed!!! I have been using the CR Spotless system for 6 years and it's amazing. No water spots. I dry the car with the following blower

http://www.autogeek.net/dp-turbo-car-dryer.html

It's much better than the leaf blower I used for 5 years. Easier to handle and made for the job.

I have no scratches on my car as towels do not touch the paint. I use a foam lance/cannon as well.

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[MCarsFan]

I don't think that's a very good idea.

Air blows water out of cracks and crevices. Said water is not clean. So you end up rubbing the dirt into the paint with a towel. With the blower, that dirt gets blasted off with the water or is harmlessly left behind on the surface. Harmless unless you drag a towel over it.

I have an 8 HP heated air dryer and the hose ends concentrate the blast well enough to not leave any water. I don't always use the dryer, and in fact use it more when I am in a hurry. Not because it speeds up drying so much but eliminates the possibility of dragging dirt across the paint if any is left by a quicky hand wash.

I agree.

I am going to do my best to not to use a towel with this car. In all my other cars, regardless of how careful I was, I have always left swirl marks.

 

[stanglife]

Can't use a gas powered leaf blower. Have to use compressed air or a battery powered leaf blower for it to dry properly.

Been using a gas blower for years. Plenty of people do.

 

[MCarsFan]

Agreed!!! I have been using the CR Spotless system for 6 years and it's amazing. No water spots. I dry the car with the following blower

http://www.autogeek.net/dp-turbo-car-dryer.html

It's much better than the leaf blower I used for 5 years. Easier to handle and made for the job.

I have no scratches on my car as towels do not touch the paint. I use a foam lance/cannon as well.

Do you know if that system can be attached to a pressure washer?

 

[MCarsFan]

Been using a gas blower for years. Plenty of people do.

My only complaint with the gas leaf blower besides the damn weight is the horrible gas smell when I have to raise it very high to dry the roof, I am literally inhaling the exhaust right on my face:(

 

[ThreeFiveO]

I usually start the car, crank the leaf blower, crack open a Corona and close the garage door. Works great for me. My car never looked better.

 

[Arctic_Ragtop]

I understand the compressed air due to the velocity of the air and the size being more appropriate. However, you are saying battery powered leaf blower is better than gas one? I'm confused. Can you elaborate?

I use a DeWalt 40V Electric Leaf Blower. Normally I am pro gas-powered everything but the DeWalt electric works way better than the gas powered leaf blower in my experience.

 

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Been using a gas blower for years. Plenty of people do.

the gas fumes make the ability to dry water spots almost impossible

** just kidding MCarsFan, both gas and electric leaf blowers work the same.

 

[STFUdonny]

So let's do a recap for cleaning this thing when it arrives. I'm going to likely uses foam gun and soft mitt for the bulk of the cleaning. I like the video I saw with detail spray and microfiber towel drying, not sure if that's recommended for this paint or not. Will also be getting the Mckees car dryer. I'm curious about the comment above of needing to rinse with deionized water if blow drying. Does everyone that blow drys use deionized water to rinse prior to drying?

 

[Mike02z]

I do a lot of detailing so this may be a bit overkill for some. I never touch my car with a cloth when drying.

https://www.amazon.com/Metro-MB-3CD...4372&sr=8-2&keywords=master+blaster+car+dryer

Unlike a blower, this uses filtered air and raises the air temp 65 degrees above ambient temperature.

 

[Yetitime]

Could just ceramic pro it and save some headaches. Pricey though..

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I do a lot of detailing so this may be a bit overkill for some. I never touch my car with a cloth when drying.

https://www.amazon.com/Metro-MB-3CD...4372&sr=8-2&keywords=master+blaster+car+dryer

Unlike a blower, this uses filtered air and raises the air temp 65 degrees above ambient temperature.

That's what I've been using for many years.

And these will last forever drying cars because they are just rebranded large pet dryers that groomers use. So they are built to be used multiple times per day. The only (and it is tiny) downside is since most pets aren't as large as a car, these do (or did) come with a cord not long enough to move it around some cars depending on where the outlet is in the garage. So a large gauge extension may be needed.

 

[montreal ponies]

I'm curious about the comment above of needing to rinse with deionized water if blow drying. Does everyone that blow drys use deionized water to rinse prior to drying?

Not at all, that's a bit overkill if you ask me.

I'm the OCD type and have never scratched my cars by using high quality synthetic towels.

 

[STFUdonny]

Not at all, that's a bit overkill if you ask me.

I'm the OCD type and have never scratched my cars by using high quality synthetic towels.

That's kind of what I was hoping to hear. I really don't care to overkill the cleaning process. I'm hoping by getting s foam gun, soft mitt and duty specific towels from Chemical guys plus a blower I'll be able to take good care of the car without paint scratches or swirls.

 

[alevine]

Do you know if that system can be attached to a pressure washer?

Yes, absolutely. You need to use a pressure washer otherwise you go through the CR Spotless product real fast. There are TONS of options for pressure washers.

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