Audi Tip 3

Proper Drying
Once you've gone through the work to get your pride and joy all cleaned up, it's time to ensure that your labor isn't wasted by allowing water spots to cloud all of your hard work. If you finished the wash process by allowing water to freely flow over your car it will be a lot easier to get the remaining water off before spotting can occur.

There are two products I recommend for drying. First the Water Sprite Synthetic Chamois; I recommend this over natural chamois' because it feels and performs like a natural chamois without the maintenance. What I prefer is the Big Blue Drying Towel; It's a big thirsty micro fiber towel designed specifically to dry your car. I keep two handy, one to get the big stuff, and one to finish with. This is admittedly over-kill because you can easily dry an entire car with one towel, usually only ringing it out once, if that. Whichever you choose the process is the same.

As always start at the top and work you way down, and only wipe in a back and forth motion so that any incidental marks are only in the one direction. If you've cleaned properly and are using a Water Sprite, or a Big Blue Micro Fiber this shouldn't be an issue. I typically dry the roof and C Pillars, then move to the hood and deck lid, then the sides and front and rear bumpers. This is in order to remove the water from horizontal surfaces first because they are the most visible if spotting occurs. Don't forget to shake the water from mirror housings, gas lid, and door handles. There is nothing more maddening than getting everything dry only to find a little trail of water cutting through your freshly dried door panel. After the body is dry I get the windows and mirror glass, I'm least concerned about spotting here because I'm going to clean the glass a little later on anyway.

After the body and glass are complete I have found that this is a good time to clean doorjambs, inside the rear deck lid, and under the hood. I open all of the doors, the hood, and deck lid. This is a great time to clean here because there is usually a little bit of water present in these areas. I take a cotton detailing towel and go at it. The towel gets quite dirty during the hood cleaning, so I start by doing all four doors, then the rear deck lid, then the hood. Don't forget to clean the painted areas on the inside of the door at this time. About once every three months I'll shoot some Audi Silicone Spray on the door and hood hinges. After this I close everything up and do a final walk around with a Water Sprite or Big Blue and get any drippings from the body that occurred during the jamb-cleaning process.

Now reach over your left shoulder with your right hand and pat yourself on the back as you admire your shiny spot-free finish…

Thanks and Happy Detailing….