Shammy, Sham-wow, or ?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

What works best for quick drying a truck? I've seen the commercial for the sham-wow, but haven't tried it. Tried a microfiber cloth and it doesn't soak up the water very well and just smears things around leaving window streaks when they dry.

A shammy works great, but it needs to be wet first, which is a hassle. Looking for something to use mostly at the free Walser car wash that I use on the way to and from work.

[Jim Almquist]

It seems like the shammy and the microfibers need to be wet first before they really start to do a good job but once they are wet they both do a great job.

[311Hemi]

Based on what I have been reading a lot of the auto detailers like the microfiber towels. I just picked up a microfiber waffle weave drying towel from the Detailed Image web site, it got good reviews from what I could see.

I am just starting to learn about detailing...so I can let you know how it works once I get some time to clay and wax the truck.

[Walleye Guy]

I use an old beach towel.

[Eelpout08]

60 mph on the way home seems to work for my truck but for the fire trucks we usually use chamois, mostly just the cheap ones.

[311Hemi]

I finally got a chance to wash the truck last night and can say I was impressed with the DI microfiber waffle weave drying towel. I was able to dry the whole truck with one towel and it worked great, no streaking that I could see. It was a little expensive ($12), but worth it IMO. I have tried the cheaper micro fiber towels without much luck. I don't usually look forward to drying, but this made quick work of it.

[Superduty]

The Absorber. It's a synthetic chamois type cloth. I use it to wipe down my boat and it completely removes water spots. You won't believe how much water it holds.

[Eckie]

+1 on the absorber --- my first one lasted 15 years -- I now have the Super Absorber! Buy at any auto parts stores --- work great. Put em away wet -- never mold, never stink. Wash em when dirty. They last forever!

[chris63]

Excellent point about keeping your dry towel clean.Part of the streaking problem can be a dirty towel as well as hard water spots.Happy buffing!c63

[hanson]

I've got an Absorber that I've had for many, many years. It may be close to 15 years now.

Just get it wet and it'll suck the water off your vehicle, doesn't work dry. Its amazing how much water you can squeeze out of it.

Maybe some of the newer chamois towels are a bit better but I know the Absorber works very well.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

The "get it wet first" is sort of an issue. I go to a car wash that blows it mostly dry and there is no water available to wet the towel. Would it work to carry it wet in a zip-lock, or would that ruin it?

[jeffreyd]

Eelpout the only reason we buy the cheap ones is cause most of the fire guys have a new one in their car? I use to have to buy cases of them so everyones car could have one and the ratty ones were kept for the trucks.

[hanson]

The "get it wet first" is sort of an issue. I go to a car wash that blows it mostly dry and there is no water available to wet the towel. Would it work to carry it wet in a zip-lock, or would that ruin it?

I store mine in the plastic container wet, but over time it will dry out. I really don't see any kind of issue storing it wet, so if you know you are going to the carwash, run it under the kitchen faucet to get it soaking wet, toss it in a bag or the container it comes in and have at it.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If your washing by hand you can't beat the Mr. Clean auto dry. Spot free every time and no hand drying!

[PierBridge]

If anybody is looking to save 5 or 6 hours at a time when it comes to cleaning windows "house" I just witnessed one of the most incredible things I've ever seen.

A friend of mine just purchased a product called Norwex it'd basically a micro fiber and you use just plain water on one towel and you dry with the other.

It's ridiculous how easy and clean your windows look after a simple wipe and dry. $50 dollars a pair but trust me when you see it in action you'll be happy you spent the money. The windows look like they are open there are so clean.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I read your post to my wife and she said "that's the party I went to the other night." She bought the towels so we shall see.

[dustin85]

I have used an absorber for many years also with good results. I friend of mine bought the sham-wow and was NOT impressed. I think she threw it away.

[PropsterII]

I got sucked in like millions of others with the Shamwow after seeing it in action at the Sportshow. I said if it works half as good as he just demonstrated I'll be happy. Well, it doesn't work one one hundreth as well as they'd have you believe. I think they count on most people not taking advantage of the satisfaction guarantee. I sent mine back in time and got my money back. Didn't work wet or dry.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Going to get the absorber. Seems like it is a favorite.

[saunasisu]

I had two of the shamwow fall apart on me after a year. They were nice for awhile.

[LightningBG]

What seems like 100 years ago, in highschool, I worked for a company cleaning big yachts. We exclusively used "The absorber". Worked awesome. I still keep them handy.

They run about $10 and can be found and most big box stores.

[delcecchi]

FF selling them for a buck. Genuine Shamwow.