Tried A Leaf Blower Today

BigAl3 said:
as i've mentioned many times.. a leaf blower isn't a complete means of drying (use the flood method and it will help reduce the water left on the surface), but more to help aid in getting water out of the nooks & crannies. then follow up with a quality waffle weave and/or microfiber drying towel with your choice of QD...
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sorry, I'll disagree, a leaf blower CAN be a complete means of drying a vehicle and I know because I'm doing it on a daily basis.
After COMPLETELY drying the vehicle with the blower I simply move on to my next step whether it's claying, or polishing, or applying LSP or whatever that vehicles requires.

Now, if I was ONLY doing a wash, not a complete detail than I do follow up the drying with the leaf blower with the QD wipe-down as you mention but that's always my last step on a vehicle anyway whether it's after a wash or a complete separate 5-step detail session. the QD wipedown has nothing to do with the drying process though. The leaf blower takes care of that very well.
 
So when you dry the car off using a leaf blower do you dry the entire car at once or in sections at a time? The reason I ask is that I only have a gas powered leaf blower which is somewhat inconvenient for constant starting and stopping.

Thanks!
 
This is great, - - my wife was convinced I was the only nutjob on the block to use a leafblower on a car. Thanks AG!!!!
 
sknight1 said:
So when you dry the car off using a leaf blower do you dry the entire car at once or in sections at a time? The reason I ask is that I only have a gas powered leaf blower which is somewhat inconvenient for constant starting and stopping.

Thanks!
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Some of us are probably over-thinking this (but isn't that what we obsessive types do?) but I'd like to see a step-by-step of someone's leaf blower drying process.

After all, we've got just about every other process fully documented; why not add one more, right?
 
That is an awesome tip. I have the Chemical Guys JetSpeed Air Dryer and it works nicely but I can't dry off a vehicle completely with it, after washing. I usually use my California Water Blade and then pull the car inside and use the JetSpeed to finish off whatever is left.

I will have to look into a higher-power electric leaf blower.
 
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sknight1 said:
So when you dry the car off using a leaf blower do you dry the entire car at once or in sections at a time? The reason I ask is that I only have a gas powered leaf blower which is somewhat inconvenient for constant starting and stopping.

Thanks!
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can't answer how others do it but I start at the nose of the car and get all the water off there from the grill, around the lights, etc. It tends to blow the water droplettes up the hood and down along the front fenders. I keep blowing the water on the hood up to and over the windshield and than finish the front end by doing both fenders blowing all the water back towards the front doors. As needed spend extra time around emblems, panel gaps, etc to make sure all the water gets blown out.
The front wheels get done at this point also as i'm passing them while doing the front fenders.
Now I start working on the roof, again always blowing water droplettes towards the back and than working down the windows and front (and back) doors.
Extra time is needed to make sure you get all the water out of the sideview mirrors.
At this point we have both sides of the car done to the end of the roof and the end of the back doors. Just keep blowing any water droplettes towards the back, blowing them off the rear glass onto the trunk lid than down and going alone the vehicle on both sides blowing the water off the rear fenders and rear quarters. You finally end up with just the very rear of the vehicle. This tends to blow some water droplettes forward now alone the rear quarters as you blow it out of the rear taillight gaps, etc but that's ok. I try to actually do the entire rear end by starting on one side and blowing everything to the opposite side than as I get to the end I know it will curve around and get some back on the rear quarters on the side but I just keep blowing them down and towards the wheel well to blow off the last drops.

Takes about 10 minutes or less to do the entire vehicle and pretty much ALL the water is gone and no water leaking, dripping, and running out of cracks and from under trim parts as you are trying to polish, etc
 
Wait until you wash / rinse the engine and use the blower to get the water out before using a detail spray (do this before washing the exterior of the car). Works great!

Regards,
GEWB
 
happpyboy said:
This is great, - - my wife was convinced I was the only nutjob on the block to use a leafblower on a car. Thanks AG!!!!
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I once noticed a neighbor snickering to his spouse that I was carelessly using a leaf blower on my cars. Funny, now he uses his on his truck maybe for its size but nonetheless he is still using a leaf blower on his cars :props:
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I once noticed a neighbor snickering to his spouse that I was carelessly using a leaf blower on my cars. Funny, now he uses his on his truck maybe for its size but nonetheless he is still using a leaf blower on his cars :props:
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This is my experience, too. My neighbors already think I'm an OCD nutcase, but if I'm outside, it is really funny how many have started stopping to comment on my car or even ask various detailing questions. I love the leafblower; I no longer use a towel. Like BarryK, I start at the nose and blow back and down. I'll also open the doors and blow out the jams as well. That means I have to revisit a few places, but not many. Once I get to the back. I blow to one side, then the other. Very fast and safe. wonderful tip. Just one more reason I love AG!
 
BarryK said:
sorry, I'll disagree, a leaf blower CAN be a complete means of drying a vehicle and I know because I'm doing it on a daily basis.
After COMPLETELY drying the vehicle with the blower I simply move on to my next step whether it's claying, or polishing, or applying LSP or whatever that vehicles requires.
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at this stage it wouldn't matter much (if you had light water spots, streaks, etc, if you were to proceed with the claying/polishing) and also a LB does not work very well if you do not have a finish that has a good coat of the LSP on it...

BarryK said:
Now, if I was ONLY doing a wash, not a complete detail than I do follow up the drying with the leaf blower with the QD wipe-down as you mention but that's always my last step on a vehicle anyway whether it's after a wash or a complete separate 5-step detail session.
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a QD (FK425 rocks!) helps to boost a little protection/add slickness, aid to prevent marring, pick up light water spots/streaks, etc...


in anycase.. if your process works for you, keep at it...:xyxthumbs:
 
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killrwheels@autogeek said:
I once noticed a neighbor snickering to his spouse that I was carelessly using a leaf blower on my cars. Funny, now he uses his on his truck maybe for its size but nonetheless he is still using a leaf blower on his cars :props:
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I have the neighbors kidding me all the time concerning my constent car care methods including my leaf blower used to dry the car too. But you can't argue with success and like it was mentioned before, I use a QD with a MF towel to finish it all off. Funny thing about those guys who kid me about spending so much time with car care, they usually end the conversation with "your cars always look as good or better then new". I tell them if you don't put in time don't expect great results.
 
The wand wash place I go to has a similar thing called Blast-O-Dry. It makes drying so much faster, especially for drying the wheels and tires.
 
What about this thing?
highresblowerA.jpg


Anybody tried it?
For under $40 it seems like a pretty good tool, and it's purported to be stronger than a leaf blower.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
one hint, blow tops before moving to bottoms. One wrong move and you blow the ground and you'll need to start over or worse rewash as all that dirty water is back on car. Also when wiping after blowing, use a detail spray for some lubrication and to avoid swirls.
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another hint: This may have been said already, but keep the ground around the car wet. Atleast 7 to 10 ft around. This keeps the dirt from blowing around.
 
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MisterShark said:
What about this thing?
highresblowerA.jpg


Anybody tried it?
For under $40 it seems like a pretty good tool, and it's purported to be stronger than a leaf blower.
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I've been looking at this as well. Looks perfect. Only 3lbs and converts to a vacuum. I, too, would like to know if anyone's tried it.
 
for under 50.00 you should be able to pickup a Leaf Hawg and have 225mph power .... I did.

LH4500_1.jpg
 
I still like this one better. It also doubles as a vaccuum:
highresblower.jpg


Plus it's got a soft nozzle to prevent accidental scratching due to contact.

Here are the other aspects:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1]
  • Blows air off any vehicle, motorcycle, ETC in seconds
  • Dry any vehicle FAST.
  • More powerful then a leaf blower
  • Soft, flexible rubber nozzle won't scratch paint
  • Remove nozzle for easy storage
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] JetSPEED vehicle dryer and Blower can also be used as a dust vacuum
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Includes directional air flow attachment, and a dust bag. [/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1][FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]weighs only 2.6 lbs[/FONT]
  • [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
  • approx Air Speed of : 110 MPH @ 1600 RPM
[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
 
no offense but 100 mph versus 225. A plastic nozzle will likely tear or crease over time. I would not blow anything on a finish that once was used as a vacuum. (ie. all those sand particles just sucked up are now flying back at paint). My leaf blower is dedicated to car care only !
 
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