Even if you are using Griot's products you can still get water spots, especially on black vehicle if you don't dry it off. They are good products, but I don't think they can completely repel the vehicle dry....

I believe it helps to drive the car/truck after you wash and get most of the water off, but you are also picking up dust into the water that is still on the vehicle. Then when you go to dry that off, you are scratching the paint. That is why I dry it, then drive, then touch-up dry..... .....every body has their own method....

 

haha, tho your rig might be a bit cold afterward.

 

What they said. Griots day.

 

Me too.

 

I use a California Water Blade followed by a plain ol cotton terry towel. I use those small white towels that come in the 48 pack at the warehouse clubs. I wash them first (without fabric softener as fabric softener actually reduces the absorbency of towels) since they don't seem very absorbent right out of the bag. I never have any spots.

 

I use the absorber synthetic chamois.

 

Synthetic chamois, then follow with a 100% cotton towel, and then a quick mist of Z-6. But I'm a little anal...LOL http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...S&Store_Code=Z

The water blade scares me, seems like a scratch waiting to happen! Take good care of the chamois, particularly the synthetic type, and they last a long time. I wash mine periodically with my micro-fiber towels to keep it clean.

For dark colors...Zanio is GREAT! I love the depth of the shine and it appears to last much longer than anything else I've used in 30+ years..yea I'm an old fart. On my Lunar Mist Tacoma it looks great, but my wife's Indigo Ink Pearl 2003 Highlander is awesome!

Oh yea, someone mentioned the hose nozzel, I use a cheap plastic spray wand, water sheets off that way, or use just the end of the hose. The trigger spray nozzel heads seem to leave a mist that is harder to dry off.

 

Not sure if someone mentioned this, but a plastic squeege will make short work of most the water on a wet vehicle. That's what I use followed by a synthetic chamois for spots the squeege can't get.

Also, my dad recently sent me this thing called a "Gatorback" which is basically like a flexible squeege that conforms to the contours of the vehicle and does a better job getting the water off. Not sure where he got it though.

 

Washing..
oh yeah, when I do wash it, I just drive it or let it sit.

 

I use the Griot's synthetic chamois on the paint, a regular leather chamois on just the glass, then on the door jams and such, and then another regular old chamois on just the tires and rims. I then go back over the paint with a cotton towel and the Griot's Speed Shine wherever it needs it. Works like a charm!



Brian

 

Like jalaber said The Absorber is one of the best detail tools I've found. I use a Cal water blade to get most of the water off, then use the Absorber to finish. Wash in the shade to prevent evaporation, and rinse the whole truck just before drying like others said. The Absorber is about $8 at Wal Mart and holds lots of water. Mine is dark green also, and I've found this to be the best way to dry.