Drying in Hard Water Area?

With a black car in a hard water area do I need to do anything beyond drying with a microfiber towel to avoid water spots?

I read the Washing and Drying Vehicle Paint (#110) and it suggests not to use a blower because it speeds up the drying and exacerbates the problem. The water I use from my hose is hard and leaves spots. Aside from not drying it too quickly with a blower and making sure the car is cool, is there something else I should do as I dry with a microfiber?

 

[ read the Washing and Drying Vehicle Paint (#110) and it suggests not to use a blower because it speeds up the drying and exacerbates the problem.] This is dependent upon how hot an environment you're in

Hard Water

If you are using tap water that contains high levels of minerals such as calcium hydroxide or silicates, some of the polymers will bond to these minerals and take them out of solution therefore more product might be necessary to compensate for this effect. Adding Optimum No Rinse (ONR) to a regular car wash soap will improves the results when using tap water (0.5 oz / gallon) always add it to the water to remove the minerals before adding your soap. This will maximize the benefits of using No Rinse in this manner.

Drying a Vehicle using water

Water sheeting (Marangoni Effect ) [: since a liquid with a high surface tension pulls more strongly on the surrounding liquid than one with a low surface tension, the presence of a gradient in surface tension will naturally cause the liquid to flow away from regions of low surface tension]

This is my preferred method of drying a vehicle paint surface; On the final rinse of the washing process remove the nozzle from the hose, reduce the water pressure and hold the end of the hose parallel to the paint and reasonably close as this is will prevent splashing as you flood the surface. Follow up with a waffle weave micro fibre towel to thoroughly dry the paint surface

I have tried many products over the years for drying but I finally found what really works the best, a micro fibre waffle weave drying towel. When they are wet they’re very soft and super absorbent, and glide easily over the surface, the ‘pockets’ in the weave ‘hold’ any dirt or surface debris unlike some other super absorbing products that trap dirt between the towel and paint surface with the potential to cause so serious scratches (never use it when it’s dry and stiff – it can potentially scratch)

That goes for whatever you use for drying, including waffle weave micro fibre towels. Ensure that the towel is really wet and then wring it out thoroughly before using. Blot as much water as you can, do not rub with the damp waffle weave towel. This gets rid of all the remaining drops and leaves only a little moisture behind. One wipe with the waffle weave in your other hand will result in a perfectly dry paint surface, using only waffle weave micro fibre towels with only one pass per area.

Proper surface drying; this is my preferred method of drying a vehicle paint surface; On the final rinse of the washing process remove the nozzle from the hose, reduce the water pressure and hold the end of the hose parallel to the paint and reasonably close as this is will prevent splashing as you flood the surface. Follow up with a waffle weave micro fibre towel to thoroughly dry the paint surface

These techniques are the best way to avoid the need for polishing. Using a chemical paint cleanser versus polishing on a clean finish to simply remove old wax/sealant is another.

And always follow the rule of using the least abrasive product (working smarter not harder)

Drying used to be my least favourite part of the washing process. I used to loathe the process simply because water is annoyingly persistent; it simply gets everywhere. You dry and dry with a towel, think that you got it all, only to feel a gust of wind and find water leaking from the mirrors and every seam and crevice.

Dry the windows and mirrors first. A series of careful firm strokes with a California Water Blade will remove any remaining water

The Air Wand is a high-velocity air nozzle that blows air up to 200 M.P.H. to remove dirt, dust, water, leaves, grass (or any other unwanted non-adhered material) from surfaces and hard-to-reach areas. The Air Wand greatly accelerates nature's drying action with no adverse effects to existing fragile finishes and delicate surfaces. It saves time and cares for your prized possessions. Simply attach the new Air Wand to the blower and dry the vehicle in a fraction of the time and with less effort - Air Wand - Description (approx US$100 - 11/09)

The Airmax Two-Speed Filtered Dryer is a dual motor air blower capable of delivering 266 cubic feet of air per minute. It filters the air before it is blown out, assuring you aren’t accidentally sandblasting your paint surface while drying your car. Taking it one step further, the air is also heated 40.oF above ambient temperature, to accelerate the evaporation process and dry the car even faster. It is basically a 27,000 rpm, dual motor dryer, it makes the process easier, faster, and completely eliminates those persistent drips for good.

 

After the final rinse, spray a QD all over the car (or ONR @ QD strength) and then towel-dry as normal. It will elimate water spots and make drying easier.

 

I cannot emphasize enough how a quality MF waffle weave towel will change the way you dry your car. As long as you are washing in the shade and don't let water dry on your paint, a two waffle towel dry will be 99% effective in drying without water spots (even with NO sheeting method). I use one towel to get the majority of the water soaked and the second stays damp and finishes.

I have tried random gimmicky chamois, cotton terry towels, water blades, etc etc...since I spent money on some proper MF waffle weaves (I get mine from Phil @ Detailers Domain), it truly changed how I dried. I used to dread drying as the last step that led to inevitable water spots, but now it's just another step to do...

 

I would suggest buying a CR Spotless. Will save you quite a bit of headache!

 

I was wondering how well these worked.

 

I bought Dave's at the end of last month and I am loving mine. But depending on how hard your water is, the filters may have to be replaced too often to be worth it.

 

wash in the shade as much as possible . after washing flood the paint with open end hose. then while still wet spritz down the entire car with adams detail spray windows everything. then dry with soft towels.this is what and it works great!