If you’ve ever run your car through an automatic car wash or drive-up wash stand, you’ll always find people who are taking the time to dry their vehicles by hand. And for good reason. This step, which might seem like a waste of time, is actually one of the most important ones in the car washing process.
Although it is possible allow your car to air dry and still enjoy the benefits of a deep clean, you won’t get that truly perfect sparkle unless you dry it as soon after the wash as possible.
Why Not to Air Dry?
The main reason not to allow your car to air dry is because of the residue that gets left behind. Water—even the water used in car washes—contains natural minerals, which don’t evaporate during an air dry. Although the liquid will eventually disappear, it will leave behind spots, streaks, and deposits that can make your car look worse than it did before you washed it. This is especially true if your car has a dark-colored paint finish or if the sun is out and highlighting all your car’s imperfections.
In some areas, these deposits can also harm your car’s paint job. Some of the compounds in water that get left behind can degrade the paint over time—you aren’t likely to start seeing damages after just one wash, but a lifetime of air drying could leave behind calcium and minerals that ruin the surface of your vehicle.
How to Properly Dry Your Car
As soon as your car is finished with its wash, pull it forward and find a place where you can spend a few minutes drying it. You’ll want to use a clean chamois or microfiber cloths to do the drying; although some people recommend using items like cloth diapers or old t-shirts, these materials tend to provide more damage than they do benefit, since they have rough surfaces on a microscopic scale.
By keeping specialty chamois in your car, you’ll always have a quick and easy drying solution on hand. As you dry, start at the top and work your way down. You’ll also want to use blotting techniques instead of wiping ones. This is because even after a car wash, there may be small particles of dirt and other items in the air that work into the cloth. Wiping movements will only scrape those particles over the paint.
You might also opt for a squeegee with a pliable rubber that can remove water without leaving streaks behind. In both cases, make sure you pause and shake any cleaning materials after every few strokes, as this will prevent too much build up. (If you’ll be drying your wheels and tires, make sure you have a separate towel, as you won’t want to get your chamois too soiled to use on the car body again.)
For the best finish, you’ll also want to pop open your doors and trunks, and lift your windshield wipers to dry at all points of contact. Water often seeps into these areas, which might not seem like a big deal until you start driving and those droplets work their way out and streak along the paint job you just so meticulously cleaned.
FAQs
Skipping a vital step like drying your car can make an enormous difference in the cleanliness of your car. Follow these steps diligently to safeguard your car against unwanted issues like water spots, streaks, residue, and scratches! Although this step is important, it may not be realistic for everyone.
What happens if you wash your car and don't dry it? ›
If preventing aesthetic blemishes isn't motivation enough to dry your car post-wash, let's talk about rust. When left to sit on the surface, water can seep into small crevices, scratches, or areas of damage on your car's bodywork. Here, it may initiate the rusting process, leading to long-term structural damage.
Is it better to air dry or towel dry your car? ›
Even if it's a small amount of water, don't leave this to air dry; when evaporated, the minerals from the water can leave behind marks and damage your paint. Instead, go ahead and wipe again with a dry microfiber towel until all of the water is absorbed.
Can I just wash my car with water? ›
As mentioned earlier, washing your car without soap isn't recommendable. You may scratch the paint if you are using water only. Luckily, there are safe ways to wash your car without soap. You can wash your car without soap using alternative products, including Waterless Wash, Dish Soap, or Rinseless Wash.
What should I do after washing my car? ›
Step 4: Towel dry your car working in long sweeping motions that follow the contours of the car body. High-grade silicone squeegees are available at some auto supply stores that effectively remove water and take less time than towel drying. Drying is important to prevent water spotting and streaking.
Do you really need to dry your car after washing? ›
One often underestimated step is ensuring your vehicle is thoroughly dried after washing. It might sound like a minor detail, but it plays a big role in achieving that sleek look. If you dry your car properly, you can avoid those pesky water spots, which definitely affect the spotless finish you aim for.
Is it bad to leave your car wet? ›
Exposure to rainwater and/or mud can cause the metal in these parts to rust, potentially requiring expensive repairs. You can have an auto body shop add undercoating to your car's undercarriage to minimize the risks of moisture damage.
How do you dry a wet car fast? ›
Opening the windows and doors of your car can help facilitate air circulation and expedite the drying process. In some cases, it may be necessary to use specialized products designed to absorb excess moisture and eliminate odors.
Can you use a hair dryer to dry a car? ›
Can I Use a Hair Dryer? Simply put, hair dryers we're not designed for drying the surface of your vehicle. Depending on the heat setting, they can often harm the paint. Hair dryers may also blow dust onto the surface and the plastic and/or metal in a hairdryer may even scratch the surface.
Is drying your car with heat better than wiping? ›
Using the air dryer with towels could be a good one-two combination for prolonging your shiny finish. Quickly blasting water out of crevices and off major surfaces can do a more thorough job than towels, but having some on hand for a quick spot wipe can keep water spots from forming.
Can You Use Dish Soap to Wash Your Car? Never use dish soap to wash your car. According to Consumer Reports, dish soap isn't formulated for use on a car's paint. Even a detergent like Dawn is an abrasive cleaner and can strip away a vehicle's protective top coat.
Can I just rinse my car with a hose? ›
Washing your car with a water hose is never the best option. By doing this, you could potentially damage your vehicle's paintwork. Water hoses can lead to a buildup of residue on your vehicle that won't look good and could eventually erode the wax on your car, causing your paint to deteriorate over time.
What is the best thing to wash your car with? ›
We recommend using a specialty automotive car wash instead of dish soap, as some dish soaps can strip the wax and damage the car's finish. Car wash soaps are specifically developed for automotive paint surfaces, so you can be sure you won't cause any damage while washing away dust picked up from the road.
How many times should a car be washed? ›
Keeping your ride clean helps keep it in good condition. If the weather's not too harsh where you live, washing your vehicle every two weeks is a good rule of thumb to help your car last longer. However, if you apply a coat of wax at the end of each cleaning session, you may be able to wash it less often.
Does your car run better after wash? ›
The spray also helps prevent rusting inside the of the wheel wells - the most difficult type of rust to stop. In addition, tests show that a properly cleaned and waxed car has less wind resistance, resulting in a smoother ride and improved fuel economy.
Can I use a regular towel to dry my car? ›
Rough or dirty cloths leave marks on the clear coat, etching into the finish and impacting your vehicle's once pristine appearance. Dry it efficiently: With poor absorbency, a rag will make you work harder to clean your car. Use an absorbent car drying towel instead, and you'll make the task much easier on yourself.
Is it bad for soap to dry on car? ›
Ideally you never want anything to dry on your finish, but if its completely unavoidable or happens by accident the soap drying is far safer than the alternative. The soap serves to keep the minerals suspended and being pH neutral it will not etch the paint or introduce any damage.
How long does a car need to dry? ›
The clear coat drying time on cars is about 12 to 48 hours. That said the paint takes around 30 days to get fully cured.
How long does a car take to dry after shampooing? ›
It depends the method and the process that is taken place to clean the seats. Also a big factor that plays into drying the seats is the weather. If there is a warm day then it will take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. If the day is cold then it can take 3 to 6 hours to dry.
