Should You Let Your Car Air Dry After Washing?
Air drying sounds simple, but it can leave your paint covered in spots—or worse, permanent etching. So, should you let your car dry naturally?
The Quick Answer: No, Not If You Care About Your Paint
Letting your car air dry after a wash almost always leads to water spots, especially if you have hard water. These spots are mineral deposits that don’t just look bad—they can bond to your clear coat and become difficult to remove.
Why Air Drying Can Be Risky
- Water Spots: Minerals like calcium and magnesium dry onto the surface and leave white, chalky spots.
- Etching: On hot days, those spots can etch into the clear coat, requiring polish to remove.
- Streaks: Uneven drying leaves streaks and ruins your clean finish.
What to Do Instead
The best way to dry your car is to use a high-quality microfiber towel designed for drying—something soft, absorbent, and large enough to cover big panels quickly. The Massive Drying Towel from Jimbo’s Detailing is perfect for this.
Extra Drying Tips
- Use a blower first: Blow water out of cracks and emblems to prevent drips.
- Work top-down: Start with the roof and move downward to avoid re-wetting cleaned areas.
- Blot, don’t drag: Pat the surface instead of dragging the towel to avoid micro-marring.
How Professionals Dry Cars
Most pros use a combo approach—first blow drying with a leaf blower or compressed air, then using a high GSM microfiber towel like our Massive Drying Towel to get every last drop off. No water spots, no scratches.
Dry Like a Pro
Don’t risk water spots or swirl marks. Use the Massive Drying Towel to safely dry your car fast—with no streaks and no stress.
