I just wanted to see what you veterans here think about this. I washed my vehicle today and used a Toro electric leaf blower to dry it off. I set the blower to high, and it seemed to really work well, I was able to dry the car completely in under 5 min. I just had to be very careful not to accidently touch the tip of the blower to the car's finish. After I was done with the blower all I had to do was wipe off a few leftover waterbeads in some hard to reach areas with a clean microfiber towel. Does anyone see any negatives to drying a vehicle in this manner? It seemed great to me since it's a time saver and you don't have to use a towel on the finish.
Opinions on drying with a leaf blower?
- Thread starter zoomzoom3
- Start date
klumzypinoy
New member
I use the electric leaf blower to get the water out of the cracks, and then after that I go over the whole car. I then use my guzzler and dp four in one qd mix to dry the rest of the car. I use the QD to take off the fresh water spots and to help with the drying.
Pats300zx
Super Moderator
I dont see any negatives. I think its a great way to get the majority of water off of the car. I usually sheet the water off, blow dry, and then follow with a WW towels.
It makes drying so much easier.
It makes drying so much easier.
rwisejr
New member
Pats300zx said:
Same process here !!!
Showroom Shine
New member
I have used a leaf blower a few times. But do any of you use the Water Blade,by
California. The same people that make the Dusters. The blade works great, It does not
dry it drags the water off, with no harm to the finish!
Richard
California. The same people that make the Dusters. The blade works great, It does not
dry it drags the water off, with no harm to the finish!
Richard
Pats300zx
Super Moderator
Showroom Shine said:
The only problem with that is getting some foreign material trapped between the blade and the surface of the car.... Scratch City...
Yeah I like using the leaf blower as well. I don't take the time to get it dry though because it's an exercise in futility, and I don't want to risk hitting the paint since it gets heavy after a while. I just make some quick passes to get the majority of the water, and to blow it out of the mirrors and such and then dry with a WW. Getting the water out of the crevices is about 75% of my reason for using it. I can't stand it every time I wash my car, when I move it water pours out of the gas filler area and the mirrors. The leaf blower eliminates that issue. The other 25% is that getting rid of the majority of the water makes it easier to dry.
DETAILKING
New member
I use an absorber to get water out of the crevices.......a water blade for the windows, and then finish up the rest of the car with a large waffle weave drying towel.
Blower seems like way too much work!!!
Blower seems like way too much work!!!
imported_topnotch
New member
I use compressed air to blow the cracks out. As for a leaf blower its fine as long as its electric
imported_Conan777
New member
I Just started using a leaf blower myself and It works great. Especially for drying my Chrome Wheels! Gets the water out of the Lug holes as well as out from the drum where water pools. I of course also like it over the rest of the car as well. Works great in my opinion
Accumulator
Well-known member
I use a leaf blower with the AirWand attachment. It works OK on well-LSPed finishes, at least for getting the bulk of the water off (can't use the sheeting rinse in this shop). I still have to do a lot of drying with WWs and a lot of blowing with the air compressor, but it's a nice first step.
FWIW, I don't like the blower *NEARLY* as well without the AirWand; I consider that attachment a virtual necessity.
FWIW, I don't like the blower *NEARLY* as well without the AirWand; I consider that attachment a virtual necessity.
DETAILKING said:
No way an absorber would work for me. I think it might be the mirror design as I haven't had it as bad with other cars, but my mirrors will literally have I bet 3-4 ounces of water in them. One time this summer when my leaf blower was still broken, I tried quickly working the doors from partially shut to open really fast to try and work the water out and I had to do it for almost five minutes before the water was 90% gone.
The leaf blower is good idea. I never tried it myself as I forget about using it at the time of washing. I usually wipe down and then just drive the car for a few minutes around block. The driving gets most of the trapped water out of the crevices. Then I just wipe a few drips once I get home.
Eliot Ness
Active member
I never have bought one of those yet. I can't remember if you bought the whole kit or just adapted the wand to an existing leaf blower?Accumulator said:
ptaylor_9849
New member
I have an electric leaf blower that is used exclusively to dry my black car. It works awesome, especially on wheels, wipers, side mirrors and emblems. It removes every drop of water from these hard to get areas with ease.
Patrick
Patrick
distrbd
all in the details
I tried my leaf blower on my civic once but it was too big for the job,the one I think is a perfect size is this one:
ELECTRIC PORTABLE BLOWER - GARDEN - DRIVEWAY Lawn and Garden Gear
ELECTRIC PORTABLE BLOWER - GARDEN - DRIVEWAY Lawn and Garden Gear
Eliot Ness
Active member
Hmmmm, that looks a lot like the Cycle Dry:Distrbd said:
eBay Motors: CYCLEDRY CYCLE DRY MOTORCYCLE BLOWER / DRYER / BLASTER (item 140174156455 end time Nov-09-07 18:27:56 PST)
The price is sure right on the version you have. I don't really use the Cycle Dry for the whole car, but it comes in handy for cracks, crevices, mirrors, wheels and tires.