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Drying After Wash-which Leaf Blower Is Best?

Spurshot

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Spurshot Senior Enthusiast

Spurshot

Posted
Posted

I had chamois skins for decades and was almost always happy. A yr ago, my two chamois were about worn out. So, I went to a Kragen or some such place and bought another. The thing didn't work worth a damn. I chalked it up to being new and kept using it. Well, I was so pissed the other day that I used one of the old ones. It worked slick, even though it was full of holes and darn near transparent it was so thin.

 

I'm thinking I'm done with this route and ready to move into the 21st century and get a powerful leaf blower and use it with microfiber towels.

 

I'm in the SoCal area so selection should be good.

 

So, which one is best for my application?

 

Thanks

Chuck

Knowklew Enthusiast

Knowklew

Posted
Posted

get a battery powered or electric one.

 

the local carwash i go to uses a battery powered one, and they love it.

Superperv23 Enthusiast

Superperv23

Posted
Posted

Honestly I think it is kind of foolish to dry a vehicle with a blower, I feel a big microfiber is the way to go. However if you must use a blower than don't bother with electric and buy a gas one with at least 400cfm of air movement, airspeed will be around 200mph, dry in no time.

bigbeds Enthusiast

bigbeds

Posted
Posted

My truck drys nice with a large microfiber alone. Just did it Saturday on a 40F day. The truck is usually soaking wet when I start. The towel is 20inches by36, and I just make sure I get the windows, mirrors and chrome first, then the sides, and lower reaches last.

Blowers are for bikes, because of the complicated surfaces.

brad519 Enthusiast

brad519

Posted
Posted

The more you touch the paint; the more chances you have to scratch and swirl the paint.

 

When I finish washing, I take the nozzle off the hose and turn the water pressure down and "pool" most of the water off the paint.

Then I take the blower and blow what's left off and blow out the cracks around the windows, door handles, mirrors, grill, etc.

Then and ONLY then I spray some detail spray or waterless wash and wipe down with a Quality Microfiber Waffle Weave Towel.

 

And using a gas operated blower opens the chance of getting some gas and/or oil sprayed on your paint. Probably not a huge chance but why risk it?

kdrchuck Enthusiast

kdrchuck

Posted
Posted
The more you touch the paint; the more chances you have to scratch and swirl the paint.

 

When I finish washing, I take the nozzle off the hose and turn the water pressure down and "pool" most of the water off the paint.

Then I take the blower and blow what's left off and blow out the cracks around the windows, door handles, mirrors, grill, etc.

Then and ONLY then I spray some detail spray or waterless wash and wipe down with a Quality Microfiber Waffle Weave Towel.

 

And using a gas operated blower opens the chance of getting some gas and/or oil sprayed on your paint. Probably not a huge chance but why risk it?

 

Bingo! Dynomite drop in from the "Black Truck Club"

 

Also, there is no way you can get a towel in behind the mirrors, door handles, bumpers, window edges, grill...

Hoe-n-it Enthusiast

Hoe-n-it

Posted
Posted

I use a Stihl handheld but I use it for leaves too. An electric blower will be a lot slower and won't get as much water off. A trigger lock is a nice feature as it allows you to grasp the blower easier in different positions like over your head to blow off the top and hood. I then finish drying with big waffle weave microfiber towels. I use 2 and never wring them out. The waffle weave gets all off the remaining water off and doesn't leave very fine streaks of water droplets like a cotton towel. Do not get the cheap microfiber from places like Walmart. I tried that and they don't work as well and shed really bad all over the vehicle even after washing them.

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted

i have an echo 58cc backpack leafblower, it gets the job done but weighs a shitload. also will shoot loose gravel at truck if im on the gravel part of my driveway

Hoe-n-it Enthusiast

Hoe-n-it

Posted
Posted
i have an echo 58cc backpack leafblower, it gets the job done but weighs a shitload. also will shoot loose gravel at truck if im on the gravel part of my driveway

 

 

I haven't tried using a backpack to dry a vehicle but I would think it would be hard to hold the nozzle up high and aimed downward to blow off the hood and roof.

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted
Powerful leaf blower and use it with microfiber towels.

Thanks

Chuck

 

I've been doing that for a while now. Its great, especially with a dark vehicle. I wash, use the leaf blower, and use a microfiber to finish. Apply a little detailer spray and I'm done. :)

sic lsx Senior Enthusiast

sic lsx

Posted
Posted

I tried using a leaf blower and it sucked. So i have used a California water blade for years and then i use a soft towel to finish it up. After that drive around the block and wipe dry again.

 

 

U can try http://www.airchamois.com/

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