Electric leaf blower...

Bought one (don't remember name) at HD about 15 yrs ago (corded) supposedly 210mph and still going strong. I don't use it nearly as often as in the past as I'm too old and moved to a patio home w/out much yard work, but, it still does everything it did when new. I don't have an issue with the cord and they (appear) to have more power than cordless, plus I never have to worry about a dead battery. Just plug and blow :)
 
i have a crazy fat gauge 50' or 100' extension cord i bought several years ago from Home Depot that is a must with my blower. i don't think it matters that much for the limited use detailing cars but when it comes to extended use outside, having the right cord can prevent a fire at your outlet! back in the day when we first got our Toro, i was using some rinky dink 50 or 100 ft cord and after a session in the front yard, the outlet was scorched and melted!
 
builthatch said:
i have a crazy fat gauge 50' or 100' extension cord i bought several years ago from Home Depot that is a must with my blower. i don't think it matters that much for the limited use detailing cars but when it comes to extended use outside, having the right cord can prevent a fire at your outlet! back in the day when we first got our Toro, i was using some rinky dink 50 or 100 ft cord and after a session in the front yard, the outlet was scorched and melted!
Click to expand...
Excellent point. If you're running 50' + having a 12 or even 10 gauge extension cord is imperative. :iagree:
 
I've been thinking of getting a blower as well but I'm Just curious if anyone has used an air compressor for drying?

I've already got one of them.
 
11Frontier said:
I've been thinking of getting a blower as well but I'm Just curious if anyone has used an air compressor for drying?

I've already got one of them.
Click to expand...
Just get yourself a flat fan air-nozzle
to connect to your air hose: all set!


Bob
 
11Frontier said:
I've been thinking of getting a blower as well but I'm Just curious if anyone has used an air compressor for drying?

I've already got one of them.
Click to expand...

Compressors tend to build up both moisture and oil inside, so I'd be careful with a compressor though to make SURE you have in in-line oil-water separator and air dryer.

Of course you could have an oil-less pancake type compressor, but that won't put out enough air to dry a vehicle with.


The trick with using air (as in a blower) to dry is keeping a good coat of LSP on your vehicle(s). I find that with my son's 4Runner for instance it just doesn't dry as well because it's parked outside 24/7.... ANNNNNNNNDDDDD he'd rather drive it in the mud, cut donuts in a field, sleep late, work early, take long showers, play video games and go hunting than ANYTHING, and I do mean ANY-FRIGGIN-THING related to detailing his truck! (I've even wrote on both the inside and outside of his glass on several occasions, "wash me", "lazy", "I'm filthy", "HELP" just to get his attention!) :laughing:

With his truck you just more or less move water around, but you still need a drying towel.

Step up to CarMomma's Denali and it's a lot easier to drive, but still takes a towel here and there.

Then move to my Cadillac or my Infiniti and they'll dry totally dry in less time, without a towel at all, than any towel would dry them, because I ALWAYS keep them clean, and coated with LSP! :D
 
11Frontier said:
I've been thinking of getting a blower as well but I'm Just curious if anyone has used an air compressor for drying?

I've already got one of them.
Click to expand...
I have in a pinch to dry some wheels and also to blow water out of cracks, crevices, emblems and lights but I definitely wouldn't for an entire car.
 
Using an air compressor would never be anything I'd do. The air would be fairly contaminated. I wouldn't advise that at all.
 
shagnat said:
Using an air compressor would never
be anything I'd do.

The air would be fairly contaminated.

I wouldn't advise that at all.
Click to expand...
Contaminated air? Not really:

It'd be crazy to own/use an Air Compressor...
for any tasks...without having these installed:

cardaddy said:
make SURE you have in in-line oil-water separator and air dryer.
Click to expand...
^^^ :props: ^^^

conman1395 said:
I have in a pinch to dry some wheels and also to blow water out of cracks, crevices, emblems and lights

but I definitely wouldn't for an entire car.
Click to expand...
^^^HUH...Why not?!?!^^^


Bob
 
FUNX650 said:
Contaminated air? Not really:

It'd be crazy to own/use an Air Compressor...
for any tasks...without having these installed:


^^^ :props: ^^^


^^^HUH...Why not?!?!^^^


Bob
Click to expand...
Why not?

I'd rather use something that has a larger CFM to move more water from a larger area.

I've only ever used an air compressor with the pistol grip chuck using the fine tip. If you were to use something with a "wider" blast it might be better, but I'd rather use my DP Blower, Sidekick, or a Dry Me Crazy towel. I'm not saying it wouldn't work, but with the other tools at my disposal I haven't had a need to use the air compressor.

When I do use the compressor over the whole car, it's often panel by panel to remove excess compound dust before I remove it all with a microfiber towel and some type of lubricant (D114 at WW or PW dilution, Eraser, or similar).
 
Conner, ya know if you're rolling in money you can get a 60 gallon V twin compressor that'll blow PLENTY of air on that puppy. :)

Keep telling my family we need one.... and what a GREAT surprise gift it'd be for me! :D
 
A decent, inexpensive filtration system added to your compressor that catches solid particles, water vapor and oil, would be more than adequate for drying your car.
 
^ i have one of those as well (got it on clearance at walmart for under $10) and it works okay, but a leaf blower or the dp turbo car dryer has more air volume and is way faster to dry the car...
 
How about using a traditional leaf blower instead of using the electric one? I have tried it where I am comfortable using at. Though it is becoming a more popular choice among homeowners, I still stick to what I used to.
 
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