Blow drying after washing?

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by Fidel
hmmm, I use one to get to the nooks and crannies of my vehicle. it removes water found behind trims, gas cap, side mirrors, etc... speeds up the drying time...

BTW, my ride is black too and with regards to watermarks, its not much of a problem if you do a pass with a drying towel first to wipe off the excess water before actually firing up the blower..

it also helps if you use NXT wash. it has some water softener in it.

hope this helps.

That is a good idea. I don't remember if I did that or not before using the blower. There wasn't much water on the hood before I turned on the blower, but ikt probably could have used a pass with the MF drying towel.

RamAirV1

[refurbish]

I have to admit it, once and a great while I use a leaf blower to dry my car.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by gb387
.


Where did you find a flat blow-off nozzle? I have been looking for one. Was going to try and make one but if I can buy one first.

McMaster-Carr has several. I was able to get it through work...I don't think you can buy from them unless you have a business account. Mcmaster-Carr website

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by the other pc
A small compressor won't deliver enough flow to dry much surface area. They're high pressure, low flow devices as opposed to a leaf blower, which gives low pressure at high flow.
PC.

Yeah, I'm not sure how it's going to work out. This one has a small receiver, so it's not just one of those tire pumpers, and it has a reg...figured I would give it a shot with the flat nozzle.

[Superior Shine]

I don't know much about drying your car with a leaf blower but I can tell you that while using Meguiars new micro fiber drying towels I now can rid my yard of leaves in about half the time it used to take me !

[Rob66]

Never used a leaf blower but....

Nothing worse than detailing your car only to drive down the road and have drips of water run all over your car from the wing mirrors or other trim.

Tell you what I use to get water out of nooks and crannies (wing mirrors etc) although its expensive - a Can of Compressed Air normally used to clean computer keyboards of dust. They normally come with a straw that fits on the nozzel so you can direct the air (wear gloves though as the can begins to freeze as you use it).

Good for the interior as well around the stereo and switches.

Rob

[gb387]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
McMaster-Carr has several. I was able to get it through work...I don't think you can buy from them unless you have a business account. Mcmaster-Carr website

I can get it through work as well...



That is exactly what I was looking for...

Something like this? 2 1/2" Flare opening.

[Setec Astronomy]

That's a Loc-Line one...if you can adapt that to your air line, that should work well, and be cheap, too. You can probably buy that thru MSC which you CAN buy from as a private entity. The one I got has a male pipe thread which I adapted to the 1/8"NPT of a typical blowgun. It's only about 1.5" wide; it's made by Lechler .

[CASEY]

I use my air compressor. made my own discharge nozzle with some Milton fittings. I start at the top of a vehicle; say the roof and blow the water off. Then I disconnect the air hose and give the roof a quick wipe with a waffle weave towel. Next I do the glass, hood and trunk etc. working my way down. I was amazed how much dirt and junk is left behind the moldings, bumper cover etc. When I am finished, the vehicle is dry. This method has worked for me for 10 years.

[Question Boy]

Rather than the typical "leaf blower" take a look at Makita's Cordless Blower. The cordless design uses your current 12, 14.4 or 18 volt battery and the unit has a rubber tip. Variable speed is helpful when you don't want to stir up the dust near the ground. Top speed of 179MPH should be enough to remove water from door jams.

http://www.makita.com/Cordless_Item_View.asp?id=155

If memory serves me, Amazon.com has them available in their tool section.

[Mike Phillips]

Here's a picture of the Makita unit,



I'd be very interested to hear if anyone has used this unit...

Mike

[Setec Astronomy]

What the heck is that thing for? I don't get it. Is it supposed to be a cordless leaf blower? That only lasts for 7 minutes? I can't figure out what you would use the thing for, other than drying your car (if you can get that done in 7 minutes, hopefully you don't have more than 1), and that can't be the "target market".

[Mike Phillips]

That's a good point, to be honest, I didn't read the copy, I just snagged the photo and inserted it, but I agree 7 minutes doesn't sound like a very long time?

Mike

[Question Boy]

I think Makita intended this unit for use in the garage or shop. Blow the sawdust off your tablesaw or workbench, etc. If I understand the 7 minutes, this is throttle wide open at 179 mph continuous.

You could blow off the entire car and follow with an Ultimate Drying Towel OR use the drying towel first and then blow out the all the seams to avoid those nasty hard water spots.

[DSG Man]

All I ever use on my garage queen is a leaf blower. You really don't have to worry much about blowing around dust because you'll have washed most of it away while you wash the car. The one I use is a 150 mph electric blower, but I will probably get one with a little more power.

I have not dried my car with a towel in almost a year. It may take a couple minutes longer than microfiber towels, but I don't worry about premature spidermarks or picking up some undetected dirt and rubbing it on to the finish. I figure its worth the extra time I'd otherwise spend polshing to remove premature spidermarks. I swear by it, but to each his own.