Very basic question about drying with MF Towels

[Desertnate]

When you dry a vehicle with a MF waffle weave towel, do you use it dry or damp (drying aids not included)?

I've found lengthy discussions on drying technique and media, but couldn't find this answer anywhere. I've been using an Absorber for as long as I can remember and it is now starting to loose it's drying ability, so I figured it was a great time to make the switch.

[af90]

I prefer dry. I've never gotten the technique of using damp microfibers personally. But I would say if you are doing a traditional wash you should sheet rinse to the max extent possible first.

[frankprozzoly]

If I do a 2 bucket, I'll use a damp WW then go over it with that thick dry me crazy towel

[Don M]

In my experience, a damp MF absorbs water better and faster than a dry one (think of an old-fashioned chamois). It also helps with water spots in areas that dried before you could get to them.

I also sheet the rinse water off like AF90 said and I have started using Megs Ultimate Quick Detail as an assisting drying agent because I have found that at least on my car, once the water has sheeted off, the remaining beads dry too fast for me to get to them before light water spots have formed.

[FUNX650]

•I take into consideration the following:
-Water is a polar molecule
-Microfiber towels are hydrophilic
-Capillary action (wicking)

•Which means, to me, that:
-Starting the vehicle drying-process with a slightly damp MF towel will facilitate more efficient absorption of liquids.

•Hence:
-Waffle Weave MF towels are my favorite "drying towels".


Bob

[Paul A.]

I sheet water first and then start with dry MF WW towels. They do get better at removing wet once they get damp from the first few passes but once too wet, i grab another clean, dry towel.

[Desertnate]

Thank you for all the inputs.

I always two bucket wash and sheet as best as I can when finished,

I was surprised to see the majority of the responses in favor of wetting the towel first. Doesn't that in itself cause streaking or leave behind really tiny water spots?

[Don M]

Thank you for all the inputs.

I always two bucket wash and sheet as best as I can when finished,

I was surprised to see the majority of the responses in favor of wetting the towel first. Doesn't that in itself cause streaking or leave behind really tiny water spots?

When I say damp, I mean very slightly damp. And in my case I wring out the towel every few passes or so to prevent the towel from getting too overloaded with water. I do sometimes get the really small beads of water behind the towel, but when I use UQD as an aid, there are no water spots left on the paint.

[irvsmith]

There is a great video from Larry Kosilla on the nature of using damp MF towels versus dry ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0hzJImmvNU

[Setec Astronomy]

I hate to point out the obvious, but if you have a dry towel and start using it to dry your wet car, the towel becomes damp very quickly. Therefore, I don't need to puzzle over whether dry or damp works better, since there is no way to keep the towel dry while simultaneously using it for drying.