"Flood" rinsing is great!

[mtfinger]

First of all, I have been washing my own cars for almost 1000 years. For whatever reason, I have never heard of "Flood" rinsing to minimize water left on the car before drying. (Not sure if I'm blind or dumb or both).

Well this weekend, I gave "Helga" a bath and tried the "Flood" rinse approach. Wow, what a difference. I used to use 2 large MF towels to dry the car, now I only need one. Much easier.

I'm sure this is old news to most of you, but thought I would post in case there are other "un-informed" people out there.

[Raz335]

Yup, it's called water sheeting and helps take a majority of the water off before drying. I do this every time I wash the car. Try a leaf blower along with this. Works great.

[tmntmn]

Originally Posted by Raz335

Yup, it's called water sheeting and helps take a majority of the water off before drying. I do this every time I wash the car. Try a leaf blower along with this. Works great.

+1

Best way to dry the car!

[ki__]

Have never heard of this before... I'm eager to try this now

EDIT:
How does it work exactly?

[OilPatch]

Originally Posted by KEYON

Have never heard of this before... I'm eager to try this now

EDIT:
How does it work exactly?

Me too, the water in my part of the world is very very hard, so drying off your car is crucial to avoid some very nasty water spots.

[kenwelch]

Originally Posted by KEYON

Have never heard of this before... I'm eager to try this now

EDIT:
How does it work exactly?

Watch this:

and then use a leaf blower to get the water out of the nooks and crannies.
Follow-up with the mf towel.

[Alan292]

having a nice coat of wax/sealant makes sheeting/leafblower very effective

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by Alan292

having a nice coat of wax/sealant makes sheeting/leafblower very effective

Very true. Waxing twice a year is a good way to keep this method effective.

[darnelld]

After you water sheet your car, spray it down with a quick detailer (I have been using Meguairs Ultimate, but any will do). Not only does it make drying easier but it will also leave your M3 looking spotless. Picked this trick up (most of you may know it) from the Adams car wash website detailing series.

[WillC310]

The California Waterblade is also effective at reducing drying time. It's basically a big silicon squeegee. I first wet the blade down, run my fingers over the edges to make sure they are clean, and make large passes to get the majority of the water off. Takes an additional 2-3 min if that. I don't get obsessive over getting every drop since I still towel dry.

[zackf80m]

I'd never use a water blade on my car or anyone else's car. I also do the sheeting method and either blot or dry with my metro vac n blo

[Alan292]

Originally Posted by Zackman93

I'd never use a water blade on my car or anyone else's car. I also do the sheeting method and either blot or dry with my metro vac n blo

+1 general rule: stay away from water blades and car dusters

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by WillC310

The California Waterblade is also effective at reducing drying time. It's basically a big silicon squeegee. I first wet the blade down, run my fingers over the edges to make sure they are clean, and make large passes to get the majority of the water off. Takes an additional 2-3 min if that. I don't get obsessive over getting every drop since I still towel dry.

Yikes

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by WillC310

The California Waterblade is also effective at reducing drying time. It's basically a big silicon squeegee. I first wet the blade down, run my fingers over the edges to make sure they are clean, and make large passes to get the majority of the water off. Takes an additional 2-3 min if that. I don't get obsessive over getting every drop since I still towel dry.

[Chris M4CS]

Originally Posted by WillC310

The California Waterblade is also effective at reducing drying time. It's basically a big silicon squeegee. I first wet the blade down, run my fingers over the edges to make sure they are clean, and make large passes to get the majority of the water off. Takes an additional 2-3 min if that. I don't get obsessive over getting every drop since I still towel dry.

Agreed! Like anything else though, you have to be as careful as you would with towels. But unlike towels that hit the ground, the waterblade cleans off more easily.

[WillC310]

I understand some hesitation in using the water blade, however, like I said, I always rinse it before using it and run my fingers over the blade before using each and every time. If there's something stuck on it, it's coming off or I'll find it before it touches the car.

[superflywheel]

Originally Posted by WillC310

I understand some hesitation in using the water blade, however, like I said, I always rinse it before using it and run my fingers over the blade before using each and every time. If there's something stuck on it, it's coming off or I'll find it before it touches the car.

True enough but I'd be concerned with something on the car which the previously clean blade then scrapes along.

Thanks for the tips on water sheeting & the leaf blower! I'll be trying both on my next wash.

[WillC310]

Originally Posted by superflywheel

True enough but I'd be concerned with something on the car which the previously clean blade then scrapes along.

Thanks for the tips on water sheeting & the leaf blower! I'll be trying both on my next wash.

If there's something on the car a towel is going to drag it also. A leaf blower wouldn't though. Plus you just washed the car, what's the odds of some rock landing on the car?

Ideally, you would be using de-ionzied water and just let the car air dry.

[gatorfast]

I use the waterblade also. Makes drying MUCH easier. Not sure why some here are afraid of it. Ive never had any issues with it at all.

[Raz335]

I definitely don't recommend the water blade. I used it for a while and eventually ended up scratching the paint. No matter how many times you wipe it before using your bound to get something in between the blade and your paint.

[positiveions]

I picked up this habit from my friend: water sheeting. It's good to have a good quality MF drying towel too.