Abstract: A cylindrical drum is rotatably mounted to a frame above the path of a car in an automatic car wash system. A plurality of towels are connected to the peripheral surface of the drum at spaced circumferential points to depend downwardly from the drum. A car passing under the drum is thereby successively wiped by the towels. Rotation of the drum positions successive towels for wiping action. A heater is positioned adjacent the upper portion of the drum for warming and drying the towels passing under the heater as a consequence of rotation of the drum.