josh7owens

how do you guys do it without leaving water spots?

Vanishing Point

My suggestions.

1. inline water filter
2. Car surface cool to the touch, wash/dry in shaded area.
3. blow water off with air.
4. minor touch up with a MF towel.

The best prevention is a ultra slick surface that sheds water easily.

RedCelica

Work quickly

Srsly, as sooner as you get the soap washed off, throw two mfts on the hood and trunk, throw a reg. towel on the top, and get the standing water off first. Then take a third mft (completely dry) and get the rest of the car dry. This works great for me and now I can do a full load of laundry after every wash

NH_s2k_Guy

While I'm doing the rest of the car, I keep the areas I've already done wet with the hose, moving the standing water around frequently enough to not give it a chance to spot then I dry with a leaf blower, starting with the hood and the trunk since those typically are the areas that will spot first. And yes, definitely do it In the shade.

SgtDuracell

I use the two bucket method and wash a panel at a time (unless im in complete shade and im lazy then i wash all at once quick). i spray over the car again with water before i dry with a waffle weave microfibre towel. I never get any water spots other than from the usual drop from the mirrors, etc. and more importantly, it doesnt swirl my paint (im very particular with this... i hate having swirls...esp when i had a black car)

having the paint sealed well with some good wax is also good. cause then the water just beads off.

k1ng124

All really good tips here. Personally, I'll start the washing process about an hour and a half before dark. That way It won't be much sun out and the standing water struggles to dry. Also, keeping a fresh coat of wax will help a lot. If your coat of wax is fresh enough, you could actually dry the car using water. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtoWk9thSEI

hatrickstu

^ this.

AZS2KDancer

Outside air temperatures just before the sun goes down are about 107F, like an oven. I think it would be better to take advantage of the coolest part of the day, just as the sun is coming up. It's daylight by 5:00 a.m. and it isn't going to get any cooler during the day at this time of year. Work quickly and if you can, in the shade, but not under a tree.

Ubetit

Waterfall/flood method with the hose leaves very little water on the car when it is properly waxed or sealed.

akimel

After I dry the car, I pull it into the garage and then I wipe it down with either a quick detailer or a spray wax. I always do this in the summer months. Water spots are the bane of my car.

And +1 for all the other tips.

But in addition to these, I always wipe my car down with a quickdetailer.