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Blow Drying Cars??
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Originally Posted by Stevie
I use my electric leaf blower, put on my ear muffs and set to 200mph. Save lots of time doing it this way.
I can't help but think a bit part of the problem with people who are not having success with this method, is due to the fact these blowers vary in power, speed, and CFM output greatly. Something like this, (150 MPH / 400 CFM),
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Homelit...ndheld-Gas-Leaf-Blower-UT09526/203659800
Is not going to work nearly as well when compared to something like this, (200 MPH / 670 CFM).
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...ottle-Backpack-Blower-EB7650TH/206695412
The unit the guy was using in my original post seemed like it was barely enough to do the job. This requires a large, high velocity airflow to work properly, and to complete the task in a timely fashion. The higher the volume of air you can move, at the highest velocity possible would seem to be what is required.
In this regard they are a lot like air compressors. When you require a large volume of air to operate air tools and such, the smaller single stage units just don't put out enough air to operate them. At least on a continuous basis. You have to constantly stop and allow the unit to recharge itself. This adds time and limits success.
I use my electric leaf blower, put on my ear muffs and set to 200mph. Save lots of time doing it this way.
I can't help but think a bit part of the problem with people who are not having success with this method, is due to the fact these blowers vary in power, speed, and CFM output greatly. Something like this, (150 MPH / 400 CFM),
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Homelit...ndheld-Gas-Leaf-Blower-UT09526/203659800
Is not going to work nearly as well when compared to something like this, (200 MPH / 670 CFM).
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...ottle-Backpack-Blower-EB7650TH/206695412
The unit the guy was using in my original post seemed like it was barely enough to do the job. This requires a large, high velocity airflow to work properly, and to complete the task in a timely fashion. The higher the volume of air you can move, at the highest velocity possible would seem to be what is required.
In this regard they are a lot like air compressors. When you require a large volume of air to operate air tools and such, the smaller single stage units just don't put out enough air to operate them. At least on a continuous basis. You have to constantly stop and allow the unit to recharge itself. This adds time and limits success.
I use a Black and Decker LB700 corded leaf blower. It was cheap, but very effective. I paid $24 delivered from Amazon a while back.
I've done it for almost 20 years when I detailed for a living. I've used both gas and electric blowers. I've never had a gas powered blower put oil residue on a car and that's what I used 90% of the time. This is old stuff for me, nothing new at all.
I use a Snapper 82V. Biggest things are the side-view mirrors don't have trapped water anymore, and the front discs don't have rust on them a few days later. That, and my MF rag usage dropped from 3 to 1. Oh, and the grille on the wife's Fit is much easier to get the water out of than with rags.
The blower is sold under 3 different brands. Annoyingly, with batteries designed to not be interchangeable.
The blower is sold under 3 different brands. Annoyingly, with batteries designed to not be interchangeable.
Depends, I have used my backpack leafblower and shop vac (hose on exhaust side) but I haven't found it to help me out enough to justify dragging something else out just for the sake of saving a couple minutes. If removing the bulk of the water and following up with a waffle weave or the like, then this works ok. Then follow up with a quick wax or something to help with water spots. There's really no magic bullet here.
Use one all the time especially on the older cars that I have painted. By blowing all the water off from the waxed bodies I can avoid wiping down and creating possible swirls.
Originally Posted by tbm3fan
Use one all the time especially on the older cars that I have painted. By blowing all the water off from the waxed bodies I can avoid wiping down and creating possible swirls.
The new/modern carwash nearby here provides free air drying & vacuums. In addition, they also provide free microfiber towels with their top 2 tier services.
Having used this facility since January on my 2018 vehicle weekly on average (and sometimes more than once a week)...I see almost no one using the air dry and nearly everyone using the microfiber for excess water wiping (which takes all of about 5 minutes tops. No spots or swirls ever seen after a car wash here.
Use one all the time especially on the older cars that I have painted. By blowing all the water off from the waxed bodies I can avoid wiping down and creating possible swirls.
The new/modern carwash nearby here provides free air drying & vacuums. In addition, they also provide free microfiber towels with their top 2 tier services.
Having used this facility since January on my 2018 vehicle weekly on average (and sometimes more than once a week)...I see almost no one using the air dry and nearly everyone using the microfiber for excess water wiping (which takes all of about 5 minutes tops. No spots or swirls ever seen after a car wash here.
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
Hahah! I do the same thing... but with a heavy-use commercial grade 4-stroke backpack blower. 70cc and puts out appx 240 MPH of air - Stihl BR600.
Total overkill, one has to be careful around trim, etc with the throttle, but I can hit the hood/trunk at WOT for a few seconds and its bone dry.
Total overkill, one has to be careful around trim, etc with the throttle, but I can hit the hood/trunk at WOT for a few seconds and its bone dry.
Originally Posted by Gipple
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
What blower?
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
What blower?
Originally Posted by Gipple
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
NEVER got any scratch from drying with a microfiber towel...not sure how anyone would get a scratch drying their car using proper products.
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
NEVER got any scratch from drying with a microfiber towel...not sure how anyone would get a scratch drying their car using proper products.
Originally Posted by HYUNDAIFAN0001
Originally Posted by Gipple
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
NEVER got any scratch from drying with a microfiber towel...not sure how anyone would get a scratch drying their car using proper products.
Agreed. The scratches/swirls usually develop from using the wrong product or method. I would think that it's a time saver for me, and I really don't wanna keep buying microfiber... keep dropping them on the ground outside.
Originally Posted by Gipple
I have been blow drying for years. Saves on scratches. Saves on laundry. I think it takes longer, but less scratches is worth it. Stihl corded blower.
NEVER got any scratch from drying with a microfiber towel...not sure how anyone would get a scratch drying their car using proper products.
Agreed. The scratches/swirls usually develop from using the wrong product or method. I would think that it's a time saver for me, and I really don't wanna keep buying microfiber... keep dropping them on the ground outside.
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