So, I have typically used a electric leaf blower in the past to blow the excess water off of my cars after a wash. I've tried this technique on my black G37 and for some reason it doesn't work well - leaves water spots. So, am thinking of purchasing some good "drying towels", but don't want to leave swirls on the paint from using them (I'm probably screwed either way with black paint). What towels are other folks using with good success? Should I go some other route?

 

The leaf blower isn't your problem. If you blow off the majority of the water and get it out of cracks and crevices (roof channels, mirror housings, etc.) and then use a good microfiber drying towel you should be good. That's what I do when I detail my cars or others. The water spots you are getting are from direct sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight when you wash it. Do it when it's very overcast, early mornings, or late evenings for better results. Also a water deionizer will stop it from spotting but it's relative expensive.

http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php...00/36-x-24-S1/
http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php...00-Gallons-S1/

 

^ definitely don't wash in the sun, plus one for that.

Check this out: ELECTRIC BLOWER JETSPEED DRYER BLOW DRYER

 

i used a detailer spray after i washed mine to get out any water spot marks..

 

Definitely don't wash in the sunlight or you will spot up. I use a leaf blower to get all the water out of the crevices and then go over the car with my QD and a plush microfiber works good on my BO coupe. Need to polish mine soon. If you look at black the wrong way you get swirls! PITA

 

Waffle weave microfriber towels work best going over the paint againwith cleaner wax can also be good to get rid of water spots

 

Also make sure you are sheeting the water before you start to dry, I can dry the entire g with 1 waffle weave MF towel (from detailed image of course) as long as it's sheeted

And absolutely don't wash in the sun

 

Thanks you guys - these are all great comments and are much appreciated. I am going to need to order a couple of these waffle weave towels (and stay out of the sun!)

 

Waffle weave! I got one from oreily the other day and it's huge!!!! One dries my whole car it's almost like a picnic blanket lol

 

Absorber from Walmart... my buddy uses it on his black Evo. Works legit.

 

Your buddy is destroying his paint. The Absorber is one of the worst products ever for paint. While it soaks up water just fine it also does an exceptional job of NOT picking up any left over particles so it ends up just dragging them over the paint and causing major marring and more damage to the paint than there was before.

Don't ever use the absorber, it's a POS product

 

+1.

I wash in the shade, keep the car wet at all times, use the sheeting method, and waffle weave to dry. No water marks at all.

 

Make sure you have a solid layer of protection as well. Better the protection, the less likely water will hang out on the car...and less likely the water will leave spots...

 

Swirl marks come from using dirty water on the car (ie from using one bucket to wash everything...your just putting the dirt from the sponge into the bucket with the clean soapy water).....it doesnt come from drying using a mf towel....use the 2 bucket wash system with a grit guard and you will really minimize swirls to almost never getting them...

 

Yes, using dirty wash water causes swirls. But using an improper drying towel causes just as many, if not more. A towel that's fibers are not soft (abrasive) or one that's contaminated with any type of particles (dirt) that can scratch the finish can cause just as many scratches and swirls as improper washing.