Blowers for drying car

Jenn1270

Jenn1270

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What kind of blower do most folks used to dry their cars. I've seen corded leaf blowers and the sidekick blower as well as the cordless leaf blowers. I am leaning towards the cordless leaf blower because I am always concerned about electric cords near water. Should this be a big concern or should I just roll my car into the garage before blowing it off too keep the cord out of the little river that forms in my driveway?

Jenn
 
Master Blaster

The owner of the company personally demonstrated this cool tool for me at Detail Fest and also when over the features and benefits as compared to other methods. I was impressed and sometime in the future will be making a video and posting an article on the topic.

3 cool things,

1) Filtered Air
2) Heated Air
3) Two Motors, use one or both, lots of power.

One MAJOR factor as to how well any forced air with will blow water off pant is the surface tension on the surface of the paint.

That is it's easier to blow-off a waxed car versus a car that has neglected paint that needs to be clayed, cleaned and polished.


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Master Blaster

The owner of the company personally demonstrated this cool tool for me at Detail Fest and also when over the features and benefits as compared to other methods. I was impressed and sometime in the future will be making a video and posting an article on the topic.

3 cool things,

1) Filtered Air
2) Heated Air
3) Two Motors, use one or both, lots of power.

One MAJOR factor as to how well any forced air with will blow water off pant is the surface tension on the surface of the paint.

That is it's easier to blow-off a waxed car versus a car that has neglected paint that needs to be clayed, cleaned and polished.


:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick reply.

I keep my Pilot 845ed up with some random carnuba product over it depending on what I am feeling like. I am just a bit worried about the cord and water, but I guess I will just pull it in the garage where I prefer to work anyway out of the sun.

Jenn
 
I just use the corded blower I had lying around. After getting a gas blower, I had to find a use for my corded blower and I remember somebody mentioning using blowers to get rid of excess water on the car after washing. I like how I can twist the tube on my blower to blow in the direction that I want. I especially like using it to blow the water off my rims. They do an excellent job of getting rid of water in the lugnut holes.

Mike's definitely right about blowing a waxed car versus nonwaxed. The water seems to stick onto the nonwaxed surface and just keep spreading out instead of flying off the car.
 
I figure I am good because the water just blows off the paint when I go through the touchless car wash when I am lazy and the pollen is driving me crazy.

I really just need something for the nooks and crannies. The master blaster looks cool but way to expensive. I like the small size of the sidekick since I am short and wielding an electric blower is a bit much.

Jenn
 
Jenn

If you use a corded blower or wet vac around water make sure the outlet is GFI protected,this will indeed protect you if there is an issue with a faulty cord or appliance.An exisitng outlet that is not a GFI can be change to one.

Aloha
Ken
 
The trusty Toro electric leaf blower does great for me! I use that in conjunction with a blow gun coming from my air compressor.
 
Jenn1270 said:
What kind of blower do most folks used to dry their cars. I've seen corded leaf blowers and the sidekick blower as well as the cordless leaf blowers. I am leaning towards the cordless leaf blower because I am always concerned about electric cords near water. Should this be a big concern or should I just roll my car into the garage before blowing it off too keep the cord out of the little river that forms in my driveway?

Jenn
Click to expand...

My wet/dry Shop Vac has a removable blower for double duty. Quick detach, swap the exhaust port for the blower nozzle and away I go. No worries on water on the garage floor because all my outlets are GFCI.

Since I always have a decent coat of something on the vehicles there's very little residue to mop up. I go around the vehicle with a WW in one hand and a utility MF in the other for door jambs, wheels etc after blowing it off. Probably no time saved but blowing out the nooks and crannies prevents that residual trickling the first time you drive it... really a bonus if you're going to polish or wax because you don't have to fight with any residual water. Another plus is no wringing out towels.

Regardless of the weather I always wash in the garage. I see pics of people washing cars out in the sun and I don't have a clue how they do it! I gritted my teeth in the last house and swore if I ever built I was gonna have multiple hose bibs, basin, drains and hot n cold running water in the garage. Around January in NE Ohio I'm kinda happy I went for the 75,000 BTU Reznor and insulation too. :props:

TL <--- the clean cars in the winter too guy :)
 
TLMitchell said:
I gritted my teeth in the last house and swore if I ever built I was gonna have multiple hose bibs, basin, drains and hot n cold running water in the garage. Around January in NE Ohio I'm kinda happy I went for the 75,000 BTU Reznor and insulation too. :props:

TL <--- the clean cars in the winter too guy :)
Click to expand...

I'm thinking when I build mine, I want to install one bay of the garage to be set up like a coin-fed car wash. Swinging arm hanging from the ceiling attached to a pressure wand, and a nice pit drain under the car. :props:
 
Jenn,

This is the blower I bought and it's used only for drying.

It's a Troy-Built electric and light enough and comfortable enough to dry the car off quite nicely. I think I paid $59.00 for it at Lowes right around Christmas 2009. I scrapped the vacuum tubes and bags because I don't want particles or debris becoming projectiles when I use it for drying.

blower.jpg
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I'm thinking when I build mine, I want to install one bay of the garage to be set up like a coin-fed car wash. Swinging arm hanging from the ceiling attached to a pressure wand, and a nice pit drain under the car. :props:
Click to expand...

Don't forget the coin box... invite your friends, it'll pay for itself. :dblthumb2:

Make them clean out the pit themselves after use. Man, that's a stinky job! :eek:

TL
 
Jenn1270 said:
Thanks for the quick reply.

I keep my Pilot 845ed up with some random carnuba product over it depending on what I am feeling like. I am just a bit worried about the cord and water, but I guess I will just pull it in the garage where I prefer to work anyway out of the sun.

Jenn
Click to expand...
You should have a GFI circuit for your outside receptacles. If you plug into a GFI circuit with a good grounded cord youu should be quite safe but should still avoid excessive water. I have the little CG blower. It is OK for my XLR but lacks on my Excpedition. My next major purchase will be the dual motor blaster that Mike wrote about above.
 
i have the standard metro vac for vacuming and use to switch ends on it and use it to blow water off. works ok but it little underpowered. now is use my rigid brand (home depot) shop vac with the removable blower and love the increase in power although it is a little big and unwieldly. i would love the master blaster but the price wouldnt allow me to have my wax fetish and all those nice conversations with fed ex and ups
 
I use my small job site air compressor it works amazingly well, also able to keep proper air pressure in the :dblthumb2:tires. As well as many other uses around the house!!
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Master Blaster
Click to expand...

After using one at Detail Fest, the Master Blaster is a great tool if you can afford it ($300+).

It works!

I had tried a leaf blower in the past and was very disappointed.

I just wish it could vacuum then I could justify it. But, I am still working on lowering my justification standards to get one.
 
Vette 03 said:
I use my small job site air compressor it works amazingly well, also able to keep proper air pressure in the :dblthumb2:tires. As well as many other uses around the house!!
Click to expand...

Is it a true compressor that could power an air nailer or one of the tire inflator ones?
 
TLMitchell said:
My wet/dry Shop Vac has a removable blower for double duty. Quick detach, swap the exhaust port for the blower nozzle and away I go. No worries on water on the garage floor because all my outlets are GFCI.

Since I always have a decent coat of something on the vehicles there's very little residue to mop up. I go around the vehicle with a WW in one hand and a utility MF in the other for door jambs, wheels etc after blowing it off. Probably no time saved but blowing out the nooks and crannies prevents that residual trickling the first time you drive it... really a bonus if you're going to polish or wax because you don't have to fight with any residual water. Another plus is no wringing out towels.

Regardless of the weather I always wash in the garage. I see pics of people washing cars out in the sun and I don't have a clue how they do it! I gritted my teeth in the last house and swore if I ever built I was gonna have multiple hose bibs, basin, drains and hot n cold running water in the garage. Around January in NE Ohio I'm kinda happy I went for the 75,000 BTU Reznor and insulation too. :props:

TL <--- the clean cars in the winter too guy :)
Click to expand...

I tried to use the exhaust off the shop vac but it just sprayed dust and crap all over the place. Maybe I just need a new hose.

Jenn
 
Jenn1270 said:
I tried to use the exhaust off the shop vac but it just sprayed dust and crap all over the place. Maybe I just need a new hose.

Jenn
Click to expand...

I'd think you need a dedicated, removable blower that doubles as the vacuum motor. If you're still connected to the vac whatever's inside is gonna want to come out.

TL
 
TLMitchell said:
My wet/dry Shop Vac has a removable blower for double duty. Quick detach, swap the exhaust port for the blower nozzle and away I go. No worries on water on the garage floor because all my outlets are GFCI.
Click to expand...

Ditto...this is what I use, with the hose, and a few attachments from 2" to 1-1/4" adapter for even more air force works great

 
TLMitchell said:
I'd think you need a dedicated, removable blower that doubles as the vacuum motor. If you're still connected to the vac whatever's inside is gonna want to come out.

TL
Click to expand...

Yup and that's why I bought one just for this purpose.
 
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