Leaf Blower for drying

I've used a leaf blower for years & never had a problem with using it as long as it's a DEDICATED leaf blower that's only used to dry the car. The air tube, impeller & impeller housing retain too much leaf residue & debris to even consider using one that's actually done any yard service.
 
NYV6Coupe said:
I've used a leaf blower for years & never had a problem with using it as long as it's a DEDICATED leaf blower that's only used to dry the car. The air tube, impeller & impeller housing retain too much leaf residue & debris to even consider using one that's actually done any yard service.
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This is how I look at it too. I use mine only for drying and never for picking up leaves or debris..In fact, I threw the leaf accessories that came with it in the trash 3 years ago...
 
I'm such a tight-wad I use the same one I use for the yard. It's massive. Lucky it hasn't blown the trim off. HAHAHAHHA.
 
I have a Shopvac that has a detachable motor and a plastic hose so it funnels the air pretty good. Like said before, on a non waxed car it takes some time, on a waxed car just flies off.
 
Iv always used mine. Dries it in a few min and gets all the water out of the cracks. I have a sthil br600 backpack blower. But i have a 600$ blower cuz i have a huge yard and i work at a golf course so i do some landscapeing on the side
 
As people have said you really need a waxed/coated car. My little 120mph/150mph does nothing on an unwaxed car. Its pretty much useless.
 
WRXINXS said:
As people have said you really need a waxed/coated car. My little 120mph/150mph does nothing on an unwaxed car. Its pretty much useless.
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is that what the sticker says, cuz its a lie. We have one that claims 200mph wind speed, but it barley blows. I have the biggest backpack blower you can get and the wind speed is only 140. The air volume is what matters more. And iv had decent luck with unwaxed. Nearly not as good but still faster than a towel IMO
 
09redranger said:
is that what the sticker says, cuz its a lie. We have one that claims 200mph wind speed, but it barley blows. I have the biggest backpack blower you can get and the wind speed is only 140. The air volume is what matters more. And iv had decent luck with unwaxed. Nearly not as good but still faster than a towel IMO
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:iagree: I've got one of those big honking backpack blowers too, and it says 165 I think. The trick is how MUCH air is moving that speed.

You could blow air at 500 mph through a straw and it'd be useless to dry anything any bigger than a die cast car. :laughing:

All this talk of a dedicated electric unit makes me think I'm about to go blow another $50 this weekend. My wife is already not terribly happy as I've spent $400 in the last week, (AGAIN). :rolleyes:
 
My $25 one from Walmart works just fine for waxed and unwaxed
 
I use my air compressor with a blow attachment and it works great:)
 
I have a 5hp Craftsman wet/dry vac that the top comes off and turns into a blower. I just add one extension and the decreased opening attachment and it blows a lot of air. I actually used it for the first time three weeks ago or so and wonder why I never thought of it before. It works great.
 
Could someone please provide me a link to a good CORDLESS blower? I'm not sure what to buy, but I do know it must be over 120MPH and over 90 CFM. Just not sure what you all are using out there, and need some guidance.

If you do use cordless, please provide manufacturer name and model number. All replies are appreciated. -Ed
 
I read all the posts and the truth is that I have been thinking to buy a leaf blower for a while. But.... Do people around the hood look at you funny or like you ' re crazy... Or you just don't give a damn what they think...
 
I use this:

Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower, leaf blower, car dryer, rechargeable blower

I already had an 18V Makita drill and driver set with extra batteries and a charger.

Found it on sale once at the Rainforest web site for $59.

Actually bought it to blow dust out of people's computers. With the 3AH battery pack, it lasts about 12 minutes on high, which is just barely enough to dry a car if you work quickly (no wasted hot air:xyxthumbs:).

I had tried all of the Metrovac computer line, and even the big one wasn't really strong enough to get the dust out of fans, heatsinks, etc. This thing does great on that stuff.

I'd say the components are too expensive, unless you already have cordless Makita tools. Then, it's an alternative.


Jim
 
jgg85234 said:
I use this:

Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower, leaf blower, car dryer, rechargeable blower

I already had an 18V Makita drill and driver set with extra batteries and a charger.

Found it on sale once at the Rainforest web site for $59.

Actually bought it to blow dust out of people's computers. With the 3AH battery pack, it lasts about 12 minutes on high, which is just barely enough to dry a car if you work quickly (no wasted hot air:xyxthumbs:).

I had tried all of the Metrovac computer line, and even the big one wasn't really strong enough to get the dust out of fans, heatsinks, etc. This thing does great on that stuff.

I'd say the components are too expensive, unless you already have cordless Makita tools. Then, it's an alternative.


Jim
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Thanks Jim, you answered some of my questions. I thought about a Metro Vac, but am steering towards something portable because I do sometimes go to a bay wash and wanted something compact and not bulky. Do you think if I had 2 of the 3AH batteries (I take it they are the strongest ones) would it be enough to remove water from the mirrors, crevices and front grille? I'm not looking to totally dry the car with it, mainly to get out water from those areas where towels cannot dry. I always end up with water lines somewhere, but portability is key here. -Ed
 
I have a "hand me down" leaf blower from a friend who was going to throw it away. It works great! It's financially the most sensible thing I have when it comes to detailing.FREE
 
I use a Hitachi gas blower that is very powerful but it does not get all the water off, just most of it. It leaves just enough water that it sets me up perfectly for my next step which is to spray AquaWax. This product is a spray sealant that adds great gloss and is easy to use. Just spray it on a wet car (semi-wet is best) and rub it in as you finish drying with a microfiber towel. It also works on dry paint but a leaf blower takes off just enough water to make applying AquaWax a breeze to apply while drying with your towel the little water that the blower did not remove.
 
If you can find an electric leaf blower with a round opening you can convert it to be somewhat like a Metro Blaster--

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