Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

[Kornercarver]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

Here is a Youtube video showing how to use a Sidekick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAUL37g54kE

[Top Gear]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

That video is a perfect illustration, thank you. I'm sorry to be argumentative, but the sidekick is a joke. If you think that's airflow, then you must have a lot of time and energy (especially after a full wash), no worries about water spots, as well as perfect temperatures outside. Try using that weak little duster on a 100-degree humid day when you have about 10 minutes before spots start forming, even in the shade. Look at that video again and watch how close you have to be to move beads in a 1-foot area. Then watch the one I've linked below and watch how a whole hood is blown dry in a few waves.

See, I don't have to kneel down to get close to the wheels or bend over to get the sides or get on a ladder to dry the roof. I can stand still at my driver or passenger door and blow the entire roof, trunk and hood dry in only a few minutes, moving on to the sides, wheels, etc. Again, on a hot and/or humid day this makes it better for me, already worn out from doing the wash itself, and prevents any spotting which can happen very quickly. The difference is not even close.

Here's a good illustration (and this blower seems a bit less powerful than mine): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bPWxMWVlpo

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

I'm sorry to be argumentative

Then please stop.

but the sidekick is a joke.

Which you know from personal experience? That is a hugely popular product, as it's big brother the Air Force Master Blaster. While they are certainly more expensive than a $30 leaf blower, if those who use them love them, why does that bother you so much? Nobody else on this thread is taking shots at anyone else, they are only giving opinions based on what works for them. Had you simply stated that you prefer using a leaf blower, rather than take shots at other products and those who use them, certain offline discussions would not be taking place and this thread would not have been placed in moderation for a bit.

Yes, at $30 a leaf blower is a great alternative to the above mentioned products, but even then it's not for everyone. I've tried one..... a few times. It hasn't left the peg that it hangs from in my garage for quite a while because I really don't care for the process. I find it more bulky than I care for. At the same time, I'm not really interested in spending the money needed to put one of those other tools in my garage either. Having said that, if you really like using the leaf blower and you've got a process that works great for you, that's great! If others really like the other tools, and don't mind the spend, that's great for them! Personally, even in SoCal heat with nasty hard SoCal water, I find a well waxed car, sheeting with a steady stream from the hose, a few sprays from a bottle of D156 and my car is dry with two Water Magnets - and no water spotting. I then take my Tornador air gun attached to my air compressor (28 gallon Snap-On for those who care, fitted with some really nice Prevost connectors thank-you-very-much!) and my wheels and tires are dry in no time, and water is blasted out of all the nooks and crannies, door and trunk jambs, etc. Plus that compressor does extra duty for all kinds of other projects in the garage and, well, I've got some connections so it was a screamin' deal for me. Not sure how I ever lived without it, but there you have it.

So, what we have here is someone asking a simple question and, as is often the case, the responses vary with personal experiences and recommendations. And one guy who decided to tell everyone that they're just wrong. That's no longer simply opinion, it's argumentative (in your own words, no less), and there is simply no reason for that. None. So someone has a different opinion than you do - so what? Let. It. Go.

[Selectchoice]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

Then please stop......That's no longer simply opinion, it's argumentative (in your own words, no less), and there is simply no reason for that. None. So someone has a different opinion than you do - so what? Let. It. Go.

[Low83]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

This the leaf blower I use on all my vehicles, lightweight and powerful, can't beat it.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-225-mph-330-CFM-Electric-Super-Leaf-Blower-with-Vacuum-Shredder-51618/204325847

[Blueline]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

Old post but, if you take the hose nozzle off and gently run the water from the top down....on a well waxed car, most of the water will run off. You can almost blot the rest off with a Kleenex. That said, I do use an electric leaf blower like Top Gear has shown, and it only take minutes (not 15) to blow off the few remaining water droplets.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

Old post but, if you take the hose nozzle off and gently run the water from the top down....on a well waxed car, most of the water will run off.

This tip alone is one of the best tips you'll find when it comes to washing and drying a car! Below is a quick video showing just how effective this process can be. For the record, this car has Ultimate Wax paste on it, applied about 3 weeks before this little clip was shot.

[DasBurninator]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

The sidekick is a great tool. Works great for getting the water out of the seems. It does take too long to my liking when it comes to drying an entire car.

I agree on this point. It can take a bit longer to dry a car. When being limited on space for tools, or the power requirement on outlets like the big boy metrovac master blaster the sidekick is great. I have a one car garage and I don't have a clean 15 amps in my garage. It will trip the breaker in my house.

Sheet rinsing makes for minimal drying with the tool too, so that does speed things up a bit.

I'll take filtered air over unfiltered air any day of the week. No need to blow junk back onto the paint.

This is something else to consider. I don't like using my air compressor because I don't have inline filtration setup with it. And I won't use the exhaust on my shop vac to dry because it will throw dust still

Yes, at $30 a leaf blower is a great alternative to the above mentioned products, but even then it's not for everyone. I've tried one..... a few times. It hasn't left the peg that it hangs from in my garage for quite a while because I really don't care for the process. I find it more bulky than I care for. At the same time, I'm not really interested in spending the money needed to put one of those other tools in my garage either. Having said that, if you really like using the leaf blower and you've got a process that works great for you, that's great! If others really like the other tools, and don't mind the spend, that's great for them! Personally, even in SoCal heat with nasty hard SoCal water, I find a well waxed car, sheeting with a steady stream from the hose, a few sprays from a bottle of D156 and my car is dry with two Water Magnets - and no water spotting. I then take my Tornador air gun attached to my air compressor (28 gallon Snap-On for those who care, fitted with some really nice Prevost connectors thank-you-very-much!) and my wheels and tires are dry in no time, and water is blasted out of all the nooks and crannies, door and trunk jambs, etc. Plus that compressor does extra duty for all kinds of other projects in the garage and, well, I've got some connections so it was a screamin' deal for me. Not sure how I ever lived without it, but there you have it.

This is a great point Mike. And another Mike we all know said something many years ago that still sticks today:
Find a product you like and use it often.

Everyone has a different method that works for them. The sidekick works well for me because of space limitations I have and wanting a nice filtered air setup. And to be honest, I will go for the sheet rinse and cleanup with D156 and a drying towel more often than I bring out the sidekick. Leaf Blowers have more air volume and can handle more water quicker, but they are bulky and difficult to maneuver, especially when you are having to hold it over your head to dry the roof of an SUV while trying to keep the cord away from the paint. And your neighbors will make fun of you more than the sidekick :P

At a certain point you spend more time getting out and putting away tools. Any drying tools other than a towel is extra work later for cleanup IMO.

[amblin83]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

Thanks for all the input .i brought a battery powered blower and it's quite effective. But disappointingly just like others already mentioned, it's useless to remove dust...

The car is properly sealed and waxed regularly with excellent beading and water sheeting effect using the flood method. but it's always tricky to dry all the gaps and tight spots .

[Lydia]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

Gaps and tight spots to me are the main reason to have a blower. It's even worse on motorcycles. Sure, you can dry the small amount of painted surfaces. Then take the bike off the center stand and ...drip...drip...drip.

[KIA HYBRID]

Re: Leaf blower - car drying and dusting?

i have a blower(leaf) but for some reason i like my water magnet .when i get finish that's when i remember the blower.