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Stihl backpak blower here. Then microfiber for polish. Drives the neighbors crazy. I use blower for cars too, and with three teenage drivers I have Dang driveway full. Gets interesting looks giving bikes or the cars bj.
I use a synthetic chamois and microfiber. The chamois takes the heavy water off and the microfiber dries w/o water spots. Both can go in the washing machine. Works pretty well.
I'm in the same camp. The synthetic chamois I use is The Absorber
Get ur self one of those spray bottle things at home depot/Lowes (the ones used for spraying insecticide etc). I use the one that holds 4 gallons and straps to my back.
Fill it with DI water from your local grocery store and rinse the bike off, good rinse will take 4 gallons.
Get out the leaf blower and dry off.
Trust me if done correctly u will have VERY minimal wiping with the microfiber when bike is dry. DI water does not leave any water spots
I rarely wet wash the bike except if it gets very dirty. There's so much wax on the scoot that dirt hardly ever sticks. More often than not, it's brake dust on the rear fender.
Tell you what, I got lazy the other day and rather than detail and rewax, since time was short and I wanted to cruise, I grabbed the Lemon Pledge. I was absolutely startled by the results.
Not only did it seem to mask some light swirlies in the Vivid Black, it gave the tins the silkiest feel ever. I'm impressed.
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Autopians (the big online community of detailing enthusiasts) will say microfiber over chamois by a big majority. I use a leaf blower then follow up with a microfiber towel. Less that touches the paint means less swirls/scratches. No compressed air (oil or acidic moisture mixed in by compressor and onto paint). Microscopic pics I've seen will show that even very plush cotton towels scratch the paint a whole lot more than microfiber.
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