Fastest Way To Dry Your Car

Washing a car is one of few feel-good chores that most car owners don’t mind doing over and over. A great wash can make any car shine like new and keep it in great shape for years. However, if not done properly, washing a car can result in unsightly streaks, water spots, and even scratches. Surprisingly, many car owners overlook the importance of drying a car to reduce contaminants left behind from washing. If you’re experiencing these issues, consider drying your car more quickly. But what is the fastest way to dry a car to help achieve a better, cleaner car?

We know how much of a nightmare drying your car can be. Whether it’s a cold day, you’ve just missed the sunshine, or your garage has no heating, you can find yourself waiting ages for a car to dry before we can get to polishing and waxing it. The longer water sits on the exterior paint, the more likely debris is being absorbed or collected, resulting in spots and other issues. Professional car detailers know the importance of drying a car quickly to avoid these mistakes.

Keep reading to find out the fastest way to dry a car using BLO car dryers and other methods. The good news is, there are several different solutions for a better end detail for your vehicle. 

Importance Of Drying A Car Quickly

We know that one of the core reasons for unsightly marks and spots on a vehicle is due to contaminants in the water or tools used when washing. Hard water−measured in grains per gallon− is one of the main culprits. Unfortunately, the longer it sits on the surface a vehicle, the more likely the substances in the water will cling to the car resulting in a poor wash job and even other issues such as:

Opt to air dry your car using a microfiber or cotton towel, or using a car blow dryer, a water blade, or chamois leather. All of these techniques will dry your car, but the time it takes will vary. No matter which option you choose, you need to dry your car after every wash. After all, why would you go through all the effort to clean it if drying is one of the most important steps to ensure a spotless finish? 

No matter the option you choose, be sure not to let your car drip dry for too long. This causes streaks and water spots that can be tough to remove, and potentially leave you needing to wash the car again! And remember drying your car effectively is a sure way to guarantee a streak-free finish and a shiny car. 

Let’s examine the fastest way to dry your car. 

Air Drying

Is air drying the best way to dry a vehicle without scratching it? It would seem so since contact to the outside surface is limited. However, car enthusiasts and professional auto detailers will strongly discourage this method for many reasons. Unfortunately, allowing the water to sit on a vehicle for any length of time can produce adverse effects. Water often contains particles and other debris that collected on the exterior paint. This is why most vehicle owners struggle with spots, and water marks.  

Technique for Air Drying

This is a super easy method, where you simply wash your car and then leave it to dry. You can leave it outside, or parked in your garage depending on your preference. Depending on how warm the air is, your car will either dry quickly, or it can take a long time. You will need to be mindful of any dirt and debris that could fall onto your car while it is drying. 

Benefits 

Negatives 

Using a Microfiber Towel To Dry

Microfiber towel drying is one of the more popular ways of cleaning a vehicle after washing. You can purchase microfiber towels from a range of stores, but we love Gyeon Quartz options that ensure a streak-free finish with maximum absorbency. Gyeon Quartz Waffledryer features a thick microfiber that can be folded with ease to provide you with an easy way to dry your car. The towel is extremely durable too, so you don’t need to worry about it breaking. Also try Gyeon's Q2 SilkDryer.

Technique 

To dry your car with a microfiber towel, fold the towel into a square as this will help to avoid streaks from a wrinkled surface. Check that the surface of the towel is flat and consistent before beginning. It’s important to consider designating a towel specifically to dry and avoid cross contaminating between washing and drying. Additionally, using microfiber towels in sections to avoid leaving the water sitting too long. 

Start at the top of your car and work your way to the bottom pushing the water down the car. This will stop areas you have already dried from becoming wet again. Begin with the roof and windows before moving onto the door panels, trunk, hood, and bumpers. 

Once one side of the towel is saturated, flip it over and use the other side. Alternatively, you can re-fold it so the dry portion is on the outside. Instead of dragging the cloth across the surface, dab the water. Even though you are using a microfiber towel, there is still a chance that dirt or small particles could be hidden in the fabric, and these have the potential to scratch your car and ruin the paintwork. 

Benefits 

Negatives 

Car Blower

Likely the fastest way to dry your car is a car blow dryer. Car blowers heat and steady air can produce an unmatched level of clean and dry. However, not all blowers are created equal. Car owners should consider the following when looking to purchase a car blower for drying a vehicle:

- Size of unit
- Speed of air
- Temperature of air
- Quality of air

When it comes to speedy blowers, there are none out there with a faster drying time than the BLO AIR-GT. The dryer filters the air and heats it to 30 degrees above the ambient temperature to give you an optimum drying speed every time. 

The blower comes in a more compact version too should you need a smaller dryer. The perks of using BLO include warm  air to ensure that the end result is an even dry all around and in record time. Furthermore, the filtered air used with BLO car dryers provides an unmatched finish that avoids debris that can come from just regular air. 

Technique 

Using the dryer is easy. Simply bring your blower into your garage with your car and set it up. If you live in a steep area, be sure to take advantage of the wheel locks to prevent them from rolling away. Turn the device on and grab the long hose and nozzle. 

When ready, simply point it at your car and the hot air will get to work drying your vehicle in an even dispersion. The swivel wheels make it easy to move the dryer around your car, allowing you to direct the nozzle and dry all the areas with ease. It works brilliantly on coated cars, especially around the wheels and grill.

We still recommend starting at the top of your car and working your way to the bottom to avoid any dry areas becoming wet again, but in no time at all your car will be dry to the touch and ready to go. When tested against other methods, this is one of the fastest ways to dry your car with little hassle. 

Benefits 

Negatives 

- Cost of Investment

BLO car dryers are some of the most affordable on the market. Check our fastest blow dryers for cars here.  

Water blade 

These silicone water blades are extremely flexible and their v-shape design allows them to wipe away water and dry the surface in one move. The shape of the blade makes it ideal for car surfaces and won’t scratch it either, allowing you to work with peace of mind. With more control than a squeegee, you can dry your car and its windows in a precise manner. Depending on the size of your blade and the car, this can be a quick or lengthy process. 

Technique 

These water blades are easy to use. simply place it on your car (start at the top) with the blade on the car itself and drag it in a downward motion. You will want to apply a little pressure here, but not too much. The blade will then move the water and you will see it slide off the car! You can repeat this process over the whole car, moving from one section to the next. 

You can use this on your windows too and expect a streak-free finish. Just be sure to take care, as if there is any debris on the car, it can get dragged along by the blade, undoing all your hard work! You will also need to switch to a towel to dry your tires as the blade will be quite fiddly to maneuver. 

Benefits 

Negatives 

- Can take a while depending on the size of your car and blade 
- Might pick up dirt and drag it across the car 
- Need a different tool to dry your tires

Drive Dry 

This method isn’t the most recommended or reliable, but if you are after a speedy option, taking your car for a drive is another way to dry your car. This option involves you driving your car up the highway for a few minutes until the exterior is dry. You can then return home and continue cleaning your car. 

Technique 

As we mentioned above, simply hop in your car once you have washed it and drive until your car is dry. Depending on the temperature and how fast you are driving this shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Simply drive down your nearest highway for a few minutes, turn around, and by the time you get home, it should be dry! 

Benefits

Negatives 

- Can’t use this method when it is raining 
- Will waste gas 
- Could take a long time in colder weather 
- Runs the risk of bugs and other dirt landing on your freshly washed car and you would need to wash it again

Chamois Leather 

For many years, chamois leather was the most common way to remove water and dry our cars. The natural base of the products stood the test of time and are only now being overtaken by newer technologies. The chamois works well at absorbing water and does not damage your paintwork. Providing that it is cared for correctly too, it lasts for ages saving you the need to replace it! 

Technique 

For best results, you will want to slightly dampen your Chamois towel before use. They can become very stiff and could scratch your car if not used properly! Don’t worry though, these cloths are incredibly absorbent, so getting them a little wet beforehand won’t impact your drying abilities. 

Once damp, fold the chamois into a square, checking that the surface is flat. Any wrinkles or dents can impact the drying time and leave your car smudged or with streaks. Working from top to bottom, dab the towel across your car, using light pressure. You will want to avoid pressing too hard as this can damage your car. As chamois is so flat, if you press too hard it can suction to the car’s surface and drag along the car. This can pull along any debris that might be on the car or in the towel, scratching your paint job as it goes. 

Be sure to check that your car and towel are debris-free before beginning! Depending on the size of the chamois and your vehicle, this can be a quick way to dry your car, but you will need to take care to avoid any damages. 

Benefits 

Negatives 

BLO Car Dryers: Fastest Drying Car Tool

Although all of these methods will allow you to dry your car, ultimately you came here for the fastest method. And as you can see, the fastest method is to use a car blower. And can you go wrong with BLO’s AIR-GT Car Dryer Blower? Available in a large and mini sizes, there is one to suit you and your car. In no time at all, the easy-to-use blower will have your car dry and ready for its polish. Why would you waste your time battling with cloths and waiting for your car to air dry when you could use a blower? 

Don’t just take our word for it, try it yourself and find out!