Let’s talk Drying Aids.
The term “Drying Aid” is the catchy way of saying “drying your car at the same time as applying a quick detailer”.
There are a couple of reasons to use a Drying Aid when drying your car.
Firstly, it adds lubrication to help prevent “love marks” whilst wiping your drying towel against the paint. Strangely, a damp towel dries a car easier, even better if that dampness provides some lubricating qualities. Secondly, a Drying Aid adds an extra layer of either protection or gloss, sometimes both, to the vehicles paint.
A drying aid can be either a Quick Detailer, Spray Wax or Waterless Wash and the options for products like these are endless.
Today’s test subject is my fabulous XR6, using Meguiars Last Touch and a large Tempest drying towel.
After blowing most of the water off the car, add 4 to 5 sprays of your chosen product to both sides of your towel.
Then apply a few sprays of the product to the car, working on 1 to 2 panels at a time. Wipe with your towel to both distribute the product and remove the remaining water from the paint surface. This is the beauty of this drying method, drying and adding shine in one step.
As you work your way around the vehicle, the towel will become loaded up with product, reducing the amount you need to spray directly on the car.
Continue with the same process, using a separate towel, for the door jams.
A couple of notes –
-If your towel becomes saturated, it means that not enough water was removed during the blowing stage. Spend a little extra time at this step, alternatively swap to a second towel. A large drying towel like the Big Green Sucker can dry an entire car with correct technique.
-I have found that each quick detailer product needs its own technique. Some may require a follow up wipe with a second cloth to avoid streaking, CarPro EliXir for example. One of the reasons I love Meguiars Last Touch as a Drying Aid is that any reside seems to evaporate off, leaving the surface streak free with minimal towel work. I will grab this product when time is not on my side. Another benefit is it’s cost effectiveness, large 3.8lt bottles are often on special from the Big Box stores, allowing you to decant it into a high quality spray bottle.
-Please, please don’t use a Chamois, either natural leather or synthetic. Those type of products are more likely to inflict paint marring. Trust me, a plush microfibre drying towel is much more enjoyable way of drying your car, and no wringing required.
Here are a few links to the towels and products I like to use during this process.
CarPro EliXir -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...ick-detailer-1
NV Boost –
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...21302789079129
Meguiars Last Touch –
https://www.meguiars.com.au/product/...etailer-3-8-l/
Bowden's Own Boss Gloss -
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/boss-gloss
Tempest Drying Towel –
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...h-drying-towel
Bowden’s Own Big Green Sucker –
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/the-big-green-sucker
Kwazar Sprayer -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...20034637299801