Questions about detailing with an air compressor

Kris R

Kris R

360Detail.com
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I have a few questions that Im lost on. I have a LARGE RIGID wet/dry vac that I use when Im washing a car. I use the large crevice tool and I use the filtered exhaust vent to turn the van into a high powered blower. As Im drying I lead with the end of the tool to blow out water from every crack, headlights, trim, mirrors etc. The result is a FAST shiny spot free wash and dry job. I had a smaller van that I did the same thing with but the hose was a lot smaller therefore the air output wasn't nearly as great. Im thinking of buying an air compressor and perhaps doing the same thing with that instead. Since the air is more concentrated does that mean it won't work as effectively?

Do any of you use air compressors to blow out the interior?

Whats the smallest compressor I can use the TORNADOR attachment with and still have it work as it should?


ANy help with all these mixed questions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!
 
A matter of fact I do use my stalls air line to blow out extremely messy interiors - I just detach the Tornador from it and attach my air wand or you could just use your Tornador also. I also have those same options for blowing out all the exterior molds and cracks also.

I also use the same process at home, but don't have access to the massive body shop air compressor - just a 5gallon at my house, still plenty of power and would work for you to also.

If you get the Tornador Black it has ALOT more power and is MUCH more quiet that the original and uses less air at the same time.

Check out this link about someone asking a similar question - my post is #5
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...tornado-black-has-anyone-bought-used-one.html
 
I use the blow gun and Black Tornador to blow out the interior and to clean doors, dash and seats. Sometimes even use on carpet. The air gun is very effective in blowing junk out from under seats and in seat tracks.
 
I find compressed air to be a must when detailing interiors. I also use it to blow out the nooks and crannies on the exterior after a wash, but a leaf blower or Master Blaster will be more effective in drying the exterior of the car.
 
RaskyR1 said:
I find compressed air to be a must when detailing interiors. I also use it to blow out the nooks and crannies on the exterior after a wash, but a leaf blower or Master Blaster will be more effective in drying the exterior of the car.
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+1

I use it to blow out all the nookes and crannies before I towel dry the car. It doesn't blow out a large enough stream of air to actually dry the whole car though.
 
I use a compressor for so many things when I detail a car.

cleaning pads
blowing out crevices
blowing interiors
blowing the inside of my gloves so they dont stick when i put on a new pair....
 
tw33k2514 said:
I use a compressor for so many things when I detail a car.

cleaning pads
blowing out crevices
blowing interiors
blowing the inside of my gloves so they dont stick when i put on a new pair....
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:iagree: You can also dry wheels with it and use air guns to apply dressing (still need to try mine out). I also check the tire pressure on my clients cars and fill them when they need air, and I usually get an extra tip out of that. Just make sure the tires are not nitrogen filled.
 
I use straight compressed air to clean vents, cracks, buttons and switches, all kinds of little spaces. For now I just have a little two gallon Husky compressor that does the job. If I get a Tornador I figure I'll have to get something bigger.
 
Kris R said:
I have a few questions that Im lost on. I have a LARGE RIGID wet/dry vac that I use when Im washing a car. I use the large crevice tool and I use the filtered exhaust vent to turn the van into a high powered blower. As Im drying I lead with the end of the tool to blow out water from every crack, headlights, trim, mirrors etc. The result is a FAST shiny spot free wash and dry job. I had a smaller van that I did the same thing with but the hose was a lot smaller therefore the air output wasn't nearly as great. Im thinking of buying an air compressor and perhaps doing the same thing with that instead. Since the air is more concentrated does that mean it won't work as effectively?

Do any of you use air compressors to blow out the interior?

Whats the smallest compressor I can use the TORNADOR attachment with and still have it work as it should?


ANy help with all these mixed questions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Air compressors can be a great tool in drying any vehicle. However, if your air compressor doesn't have a "drain plug" on the underside of it, "don't" us it. What happens if you keep any air in the compressor it will turn to condensation which will then lead to rust. You surely don't want rust blowing against your paint.
 
Kris R said:
I have a few questions that Im lost on. I have a LARGE RIGID wet/dry vac that I use when Im washing a car. I use the large crevice tool and I use the filtered exhaust vent to turn the van into a high powered blower. As Im drying I lead with the end of the tool to blow out water from every crack, headlights, trim, mirrors etc. The result is a FAST shiny spot free wash and dry job. I had a smaller van that I did the same thing with but the hose was a lot smaller therefore the air output wasn't nearly as great. Im thinking of buying an air compressor and perhaps doing the same thing with that instead. Since the air is more concentrated does that mean it won't work as effectively?

Do any of you use air compressors to blow out the interior?

Whats the smallest compressor I can use the TORNADOR attachment with and still have it work as it should?


ANy help with all these mixed questions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is a tad expensive but I have to admit, it will blow water out of any place on any vehicle. Metro Air Force Master Blaster, Metro Air Force Motorcycle Dryer - Videos & Reviews

I also have this little one. Little does not mean less. I use this
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
also once I have performed the water sheeting procedure. It just takes a little longer to dry the vehicle.
 
Kris R said:
thats actually pretty cool. if that can match the drying power of my big shop vac i will get one.
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Please bear in mind that this is a really good (little) machine but depending on how much air you want to put out, it doesn't produce more air than some of the larger ones. I have never put it up against my shop vac but I'm going to try that just so I will know which one is more powerful.
 
slidder said:
Air compressors can be a great tool in drying any vehicle. However, if your air compressor doesn't have a "drain plug" on the underside of it, "don't" us it. What happens if you keep any air in the compressor it will turn to condensation which will then lead to rust. You surely don't want rust blowing against your paint.
Click to expand...

This is the spec's on the smaller one:
METRO AIR FORCE BLASTERSIDEKICKCOMPACT & PORTABLE


120V 950-watt motor, 1.3 peak horse power
Hand-held dryer blasts away water with warm, filtered air, leaving the bike or other vehicle clean and spot free
Pre-assembled with 12 grounded power cord
Powerful air blows water out of small crevices with air volume of 160 MPH and air speed of 18,000 FPM
Weighing only 3 lbs. and small enough to put in a saddle bag
Sturdy, all-steel construction with easy-change foam filter
1-year warranty <LI sizset="88" sizcache09114104659150657="55">Includes rubber neoprene blower nozzle and air flare attachment
<LI sizset="88" sizcache09114104659150657="55">You might want to check those against what the output of your shop vac is.
 
I have an extension hose for my shop vac but its a smaller diameter. When using the extension and smaller crevice tool with the same vac the air output is considerably less. So I'm not really concerned with the specs. Will just have to try it out at DF if I can.
 
What compressor do you use? I am looking for one to apply tire shine, blow out crazy cf K's and crevices, wheels and maybe a tornada
 
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