Should You Let Your Car Air Dry After Washing? (Detailer’s Warning)
It might seem harmless to let your car air dry in the sun after a wash—but in detailing, that’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Here's why.
Why Air Drying Is a Problem
When you let water sit on your car’s surface, it evaporates and leaves behind minerals, dirt, and contaminants. These deposits are what cause:
- Water spots: Especially bad in hard water areas
- Etching: Minerals can etch into your clear coat if left too long
- Streaks and residue: Looks dirty even after a fresh wash
Best Way to Dry Your Car
Instead of air drying, use a soft, absorbent microfiber towel designed for drying paint safely. The best option is the Massive Drying Towel from Jimbo’s Detailing.
- High GSM and ultra-soft fibers for safe paint contact
- Large surface area—dries your whole car in 1–2 passes
- Machine washable and reusable
Bonus Tip: For coated cars, a quick blow-dry with a leaf blower or air dryer (like the Ryobi) helps push water out of seams and trim.
How to Dry Without Scratching
Use a blotting or drag method with your microfiber towel. Don’t rub aggressively—just glide the towel or let it absorb water with gentle pressure.
Steps:
- Start from the top of the car and work your way down
- Use a clean, dry section of towel for each panel
- Flip or switch towels when they become saturated
Finish with a final pass using Everyday Microfiber Towels for trim, windows, and door jambs.
Never Do This
Do not drive the car to “air dry” it. This can sling dirty water over the entire surface, create streaks, and reintroduce road dust—completely undoing your work.
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