My history of drying my cars:

Airdry
Beach towels
Chamois
Absorber
Cotton towels
California Car Duster brand imitation Absorber (all I have used on Z)

What do you guys use? I like the synthetics like the Absorber because they are so quick.

Thanks, Rich

 

the absorber is my weapon of choice.

 

i use an absorber, as long as it gets the job done, which it does, i am happy

 

THE ABSORBER!!!

its freaking amazing. it stays damp, yet soaks up water like you wouldn't believe.

i like to use the california water blade to get off most of it, and follow with the absorber. takes about 7 minutes and works great.

sean

 

California Water blade - then get all the nooks and crannies with big blue towels

 

The Absorber is the only way to fly!

 

bigdaddy - i use the same process. never takes more than 10 minutes to do my camaro

 

same here

 

What is the Absorber and where can I get one? Is it like a microfiber towel, chamois, cotton towel? Can it be washed? Sounds like the hot-set-up! I gotta get one!

 

Water Blade to get most of the water, then I bust out a leaf blower.

 

The Absorber is a synthetic chamois. I've had one for about 15 years, and it still works as good as the day I bought it. You can find it in the auto section of Wal-mart, or any car parts place should have one. It comes in a tube about the size of a tennis ball can.

It's not hard to use, but you have to keep it moist. Keep it in the can and it'll be ready for use. If you leave it out, it gets hard as a rock, but you can soak it in water and it'll be ready to go again.

 

Seems to be the popular choice and my choice.....Absorber!

 

How do you guys keep the Absorber clean? I worry about using the same material, whatever it is, over and over again due to a build up of dirt. Can the Absorber be put in the wash machine or do you do your best to rinse it out under running water?

A friend was telling me this blade thing works well, too. Doesn't it scratch the paint?

 

The absorber CAN be machine washed, but I hand wash mine with just a bit of soap (the thing is so absorbant, it takes a while to rinse out the soap!). I don't wash it often - the material is like rubber - dirt doesn't imbed in it. I only use this on a newly-washed car, so there shouldn't be any dirt to begin with.

I've used the water blade on a few cars. It works quite well, but I wouldn't use it until I had a couple coats of Zaino on the car (Zaino makes the surface slippery, and water just glides off).

Same for leaf blower - I use it to get water out of hiding places, and there is a HUGE difference between how water reacts on a non-Zaino'ed car (it clings for dear life), and on a Zaino'ed car (it looks like mercury running off the car).

 

Leaf blower followed by Absorber. I agree it rarely has to be cleaned. I've had the same one for like 5 years, and have never done more than rinse it in the hose stream.

I bought one to replace my original that I figured wouldn't last that much longer about three years ago. The new one is still in the tube, and the original one I bought is finally starting to show a little wear by having a small hole where it is folded.

These things are great.

 

Big Blue Microfiber for me.

www.properautocare.com

 

You guys have sold me on the Absorber, AND on doing the leaf blower thing! i have to get off this forum; it's costing me too much money!

Thanks to all for the valuable advise and suggestions.

 

ABSORBER !! I have used it on all my cars for over 10 years, and nothing beats it for quick, efficient drying. I hand wash mine after each use and it is ready to go for the next job.

 

I took Afro's advice. A leaf blower works great, although the neighbors will give you funny looks and think you're crazy.

 

ok, i'm buying the absorber. i'd been using cotton towels. they're fine but it sounds like towels take longer.