Abstract: A dry wiping system for use in a mechanized car wash establishment in which an automobile moves along a defined path comprises a series of strips of water absorbent material suspended from a carrier above the path of the automobile. The carrier, which moves the strips so that they wipe across the wet exterior surfaces of the automobile, is guided along a circuit which causes the strips to be carried across the path of the automobile at an angle such that the strips have a substantial component of motion in a direction opposite the motion of the automobile substantially throughout each traverse of the path. Preferably, the circuit of motion is of triangular form and the system also includes a pair of power driven wringer rollers positioned to receive the strips after they have passed across the automobile to dewater the strips prior to their next excursion across the automobile.