Advanced Drying Towel Techniques for Extreme Climates

Check the surface temperature of the panels using the back of your hand. If the metal is too hot to touch comfortably, you must move the vehicle into a shaded area or under a carport. In Australia's summer, surface temperatures can exceed 70°C, causing water to flash-dry instantly. If shade is unavailable, work in the early morning (before 9:00 AM) or late evening.

Perform a final high-pressure rinse using a 40-degree nozzle spread. Ensure all traces of soap, especially from window seals and door handles, are flushed out. Any remaining soap residue will streak heavily during the drying process. Pay special attention to the 'red dust traps'—the plastic trims and wheel arches.

Inspect your drying towels for any trapped debris, such as dried grass or grit from previous washes. Shake the towel out vigorously. Lightly mist your drying towel with 2-3 sprays of your chosen drying aid. A bone-dry towel is actually less absorbent and more abrasive than a slightly damp, primed one.

Remove the nozzle from your hose and allow a gentle, steady stream of water to flow over the roof and bonnet. This 'sheeting' technique uses the weight of the water to pull 80% of the surface moisture off the vehicle, leaving only small droplets. This significantly reduces the amount of physical contact needed with the towel.

Lay your large 1200 GSM twisted loop towel flat across the roof. Do not rub. Simply pat the towel gently with your open palms to encourage the fibres to wick up the standing water. In high heat, this prevents the friction that generates static and attracts dust. Leave for 5-10 seconds then lift straight up.

On the bonnet and boot lid, lay the towel flat at the edge furthest from you. Grasp the two corners and slowly pull the towel towards your body. The weight of the wet towel provides the necessary pressure. Ensure the towel move at a consistent speed of approximately 10cm per second for maximum absorption.

For vertical panels (doors and fenders), mist a small amount of drying aid (approx. 2-3 sprays per panel) onto the wet surface. This acts as a 'buffer' between the towel and the paint, providing lubrication that prevents marring if any stray dust particles have landed on the car since the rinse.

Fold your towel into a manageable square (approx. 35x35cm). Starting from the top of the door, wipe in straight, horizontal lines. Never use circular motions, as these create more visible 'swirl' patterns if a piece of grit is caught. Flip the towel to a dry side every two panels.

Use your leaf blower or car dryer to blast water out of window seals, mirror housings, light clusters, and lug nuts. This is vital in Australia to prevent 'weeping'—where water drips out later, leaving white calcium streaks on your freshly dried paint. Focus on the grille where bugs and dust congregate.

Switch to your dedicated waffle-weave towel for all glass surfaces. Use a 'box' pattern: wipe the perimeter of the window first, then fill in the centre with overlapping horizontal strokes. This ensures no water is trapped under the window seals which could later drip onto the paint.

Open all doors, the boot, and the bonnet. Use a secondary, older microfibre towel to dry these areas. These sections often contain grease and heavier dirt; using your primary drying towel here will contaminate it and ruin its absorbency for future use.

Dry the wheels last. Use a dedicated towel (never the one used on paint). If you leave wheels to air dry, the brake dust and minerals will bake on in the Australian sun, leading to pitting. Ensure the tyre sidewall is completely dry before applying tyre dressing to prevent 'sling'.

Walk around the vehicle at a 45-degree angle to the sun. Look for any 'ghosting' or faint streaks. If found, lightly mist a plush buffing cloth with detailer spray and wipe the area gently. This is the stage where you identify any missed bird droppings or sap that requires spot cleaning.

Don't forget to open the fuel flap and dry behind it. In dusty regions, this area becomes a mud trap. Similarly, blast air behind number plates to prevent the 'rusty drip' look that plagues older Australian vehicles.