Phil Frame said:
Wayne:
How do you like your AutoDry? What are you using your towels for now?
As we discussed in an earlier email, after you sent me the free Autodry for review, I did not care for it. It is a good "idea" and the technology has been around for years.
Since you asked again, I will post my earlier review of the Autodry system, along with others that have used it.
It would be ok for a "beater car", but, IMO, not for a high end car as it definately does have it's drawbacks(such as not being "totally spotless". If I have to wipe down the finish, IMO, there is no need to wate time or money with a system that, in my experience, does not work as advertised and has many negatives. You can do a search on other forums of people that have high end cars and the results will be about the same..., negative..., sorry...
To answer your question about the towels..., I use the waffle weave towels for drying, to make sure there are no spots, since I have not found a system that will totally eliminate spots.
Of course there are other towels specifically for buffing, polishing, application, glass, cleaning, etc.
I was not aware that you were also a paying advertising sponsor of the forum, as I didn't see your banner..., I must have missed it, I will look again, sorry...
Anyhow, here is my review you requested and some from people that have used it on the forum and other forums. If the links do not work, you may have to cut/paste...
I have been "playing" with the Autodry system for the last month and thought I would post my opinion on it as I promised the "sender" of the devise I would post an honest opinion..., well..., here goes
I opened the box and it looks kinda cool to me. It came with a filter and a "starter soap" refill.
After reading the instructions, I "had" to give it a go..., so out I went.
Using their complete system and a MF mitt I proceded to wash the cars.
The first car- I ran the soap in a bucket, the second car I "showered" the car with soap using the Mr Clean devise and the 3rd car I sprayed the soap directly onto the mitt.
I absolutely hated the soap no matter how I used it, as it seemed VERY harsh and actually faded the color and matted the mitt, however I was able to bring it back to life after several washings, but it is still faded and now designated to only wheels and tire cleaning. (I wonder about acid or alkaline)
After washing the car, I allowed it to dry on it's own.
The "special soap" sure did nothing for the shine, the car dried then I inspected.
There were spots..., easy to remove, but there were still spots on the hood, top and trunk. There were also lines you could see from where water dripped from the mirrors, doors, etc.
Again, they were easy to remove as the filter did work, but not as advertised with an absolute "0" for spotting.
Next week I used my own car wash and the Mr. Clean devise.
I washed the car by spraying one section at a time with soap, spraying my mitt, washing, rinsing, when finished washing the car, I rerinsed with the filtered water, however, I did not like the "spotting" idea and resorted to my leaf blower for drying and WW towel for the final dry.
All in all..., I like the "idea" of washing with de-ionized water, but not at the expense of changing the filter aprox. every 10 - 14 washes..., as it would get quite expensive..., especially since I still have to "final dry" to make sure there are no spots..., no matter how easy they may be to remove- I do not like spots!!!
If you have a very shiney and reflective finish, you don't care if the spots were put there by city water or filtered water..., you still see spots, easy to remove- Yes! More work- Yes! Do you still have to final dry the car- Yes!(however, the filtered water seems to make it easier and does give you a feeling of "superior water" on your car.
After the filters "clog" or stop working, I will no longer use the Mr. Clean Autodry, as I believe it is not worth the cost to replace the filters since I already have a "system" of drying which consists of an electric leaf blower and WW towels which works fast, no spotting and gets ALL the water out of mirrors, doors, trim and other crevices.
These are just my personal opinion of the Autodry. your results may be different..., you may like it and find it as a personal favorite..., but in the spirit of Roadfly, I posted my personal results(your results may differ
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/detailing/forum.php?postid=4309431&page=3
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showt...653&perpage=18&highlight=autodry&pagenumber=4
Here is a post about spamming from Autodry on other forums and "pimping" free advertising..., Not meant as a "slam", just posting the truth about the product and marketing practices(only my opinion).
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=29879&highlight=autodry
Again, this post is not meant as a "slam", it's only to make people aware there is a different side to the story we have read in this thread and to educate people that there is no "perfect system". I hope this can stay a friendly conversation, as I have nothing to gain by posting my "findings" with Autodry. If it worked..., I would be selling it and getting in on the free advertising
Hope this helps answer some of the questions posted by everyone.
Try a search on different forums where other "high end" users have tried it and see what the majority of opinions are...
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