Leaf Blower for drying

arjo.reich said:
Thinking out loud:

If it has a bag attachment then you can also rig a filter on it to block any debris from being rocketed at your finish.

Lucky Joe,
Wannabe Detailer

Sent from my HTC DNA
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I have a simple solution for this. I simply steal a pair of panty hose from the wife, cut off the foot section, and slip it over the air intake of the blower. Keeps debris out while not restricting the air flow.
 
I`ve been using my leaf blower for years now (touch wood) never had anything come through to do damage.
 
MyFirstES300 said:
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
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It will completely dry the entire car. Works great on those hard to reach places that water seems to hide and drip from. With 2 batteries, you have plenty of juice to get everything dry.

Which batteries to have depends on your access to an electrical outlet for the charger. The two battery sizes available are 1.8AH and 3.0AH. No difference in blower power, just how long they last.

The 3.0AH batteries last 12 minutes on the highest blower setting, the 1.8AH batteries go about 7 minutes.

The 3.0AH battery takes 30 minutes to recharge fully, while the 1.8AH battery takes only 15 minutes to be fully recharged.

There's enough wind to blow out your garage or driveway, just like a bigger corded leaf blower. It's light weight, and very portable.

As I said, I bought it for a different purpose, but I use it all the time for the cars.

Makita makes great batteries. The ones I have are about 3 years old, still hold the same charge, and recharge at the same speed.

Jim
 
Once again Jim, you helped me make my decision. I was worried about battery life, as I read so many different things. This little guy seemed to fit the bill for my needs, plus I do plan on getting a new cordless drill and maybe a saw, so the Makita line will be perfect for me.

One day I will own my own home, so I'm sure I'll be having a need for more tools. Ebay has a package deal on the blower that includes the blower, 2 of the smaller batteries and a rapid charger for $293. Seems like a good deal (new, not refurbished), as when I priced these all out separately, it would come out around $400. I can always purchase a 3AH battery at a later time. The rapid charger for 15minutes seems ample for now.
 
The Makita Drill and Driver kits come with batteries (either 1.8 or 3.0). If you need the other tools anyway, why not get them and just add the blower to the set?

I have used a lot of battery powered tools in my life, and wasn't really happy with any of them.

One of the guys who sometimes helps me (wiring new offices) suggested the Makita line.

Best purchase I ever made. More torque, better batteries than anything else I've ever tried.

Jim
 
I would love to use a leaf blower, but since i detail on spot i cannot. most people are parked in the grass, on rocks or on dirt.
you do not want to be blowing mass amounts of air around all this stuff.

the original dryer i used was a hot blow dryer made for cattle and show stock or whatever the cowboys used it for lol. it worked better than any leaf blower i have ever seen.. I was using it to dry fully sanded panels before painting them. (way worse than clear coat with no wax)
 
I purchased a 150mph Craftsman corded leaf blower for $30.00. Lighter (no battery), cheaper, and I do not have to worry about battery running down or recharging. At first I just used it on door handles, wheels, side mirrors, license plates and badging using Griots microfiber drying towels to finish the panels. Eventually, I discovered by pointing the blower at a downward angle, I could readily do most of the car as well as it blows the water down and off and not to the side where you are chasing beads of water around your car.
 
TobyDanger said:
This one gets really good reviews and is the one I am about to order.
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Let us know how you like it. I looked it up last night, and for the price of $75 you can't go wrong. I have a $100 gift certificate from Home Depot and I guess I could buy this for when I do detailing at my parents house. Wasn't looking to go down the electric route, but everyone says the electric ones are better. I'll buy a cordless one at a later date in the fall. -Ed
 
Hi Ed:

Just to make your decision harder, here's a photo.

MakitaBlower.jpg


Had the tools out over the weekend, and completely forgot about this little gem. They're about $19 retail, but one of my clients is a Makita (and others) dealer, and he gave me this. Hadn't even thought about it, but it's a perfectly good swirl finder:xyxthumbs:

Now I won't have to buy a Brinkmann LED.

MakitaLED.jpg


Jim
 
jgg85234 said:
Hi Ed:

Just to make your decision harder, here's a photo.

MakitaBlower.jpg


Had the tools out over the weekend, and completely forgot about this little gem. They're about $19 retail, but one of my clients is a Makita (and others) dealer, and he gave me this. Hadn't even thought about it, but it's a perfectly good swirl finder:xyxthumbs:

Now I won't have to buy a Brinkmann LED.

MakitaLED.jpg


Jim
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Jim, you are indeed making it harder for me to decide, lol. Loving the pics :) I wish I had a bit more $$$. I need a new drill too, so I am taking all your suggestions under serious consideration. Appreciated. -Ed
 
Love my cordless Black and decker leaf blower - hangs on a hook in my trunk...we get a huge amt of tree crap on the cars at the condo, so blowing it clean before rinseless works perfectly....
 
The drill/driver kits come with 2 batteries, and the charger. From that point on, you just buy the bare tools. Compared to purchasing each component separately, that's a bargain. Separately, the batteries are $100 each, and the charger is $100 as well. If you look at it that way, you're getting the drill and driver for free.

Unless of course, you might be using the drill at the same time you're using the blower.

SwanicYouth (Steve) - this is what a zoom does. Lens is a 24-85 F/3.5-4.5 USM Canon. I think Canon discontinued this lens, but you can still find them (used) on eBay for about $150. Shot from same spot, framed differently. Lens zooms with just a twist.

Jim
 
What exactly makes a leaf blower effective? Is it CFM or MPH? I'm understanding that the CFM's are what matter over the MPH. Is this true?
 
glen e said:
Love my cordless Black and decker leaf blower - hangs on a hook in my trunk...we get a huge amt of tree crap on the cars at the condo, so blowing it clean before rinseless works perfectly....
Click to expand...

:dblthumb2:
 
Today I bought the Toro leaf blower that everyone on here has been raving about. I decided to get an electrical one for now and keep it at my parents house when I detail there (90% of the time). I wanted a really powerful unit for those times. This unit only cost me $10 as I had a $50 gift certificate, so I couldn't go wrong. I'll be using it today so I'll post back later with a review.
 
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