Blow dry or towel dry

[C8N]

Which is a better method? Blow dry with a leaf blower or towel dry with MF towel?

[Detailing by M]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

First wipe to get up the big drops then blow dry. And get DI water.

[Blueline]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

If you have a good wax on, most of the water will run off of you do the following: take off the nozzle, and let the water run out slowly from the hose, starting at the roof, and the water will sheet off the car. Then all you have to do is blot here and there with a dry towel. Mine hardly gets wet. Using a leaf blower is just silly.

[wifpd4]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

While I use the techniques Blueline and Wash Me have described, I still use a leaf blower to blow out body profiles, door jambs, wheels, wheel wells and the bed of trucks.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

If you're a mobile detailer with a DI water tank, you can more easily get away with a blow drying method than you can when using water from the hose at home. If you have really hard water using a leaf blower for the entire drying process can lead to little trails of water spots that need to be cleaned up with a quick detail spray and microfiber towel. In some situations that's just creating even more work for yourself. Now, of course it would be safer on the paint if you could just use a blow dry process since you'd never be touching the paint. But in practice it's not always possible. The final rinse/sheeting method Blueline described is the way to go as it dramatically reduces how much you touch the paint while drying, which in turn reduces the chances of inflicting marring. Since every car has it's special little places where it likes to retain water, releasing it 30 seconds after you walk away from the car, a bit of compressed air helps to blow that out (I actually use a wet/dry shop vac for this and it works great!). One place a leaf blower can be a nice timesaver, however, is for drying wheels.

[Blueline]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

Sorry I said the leaf blower was silly...I forgot those plug in versions. I think my neighbors would have fit if I started my gas one up every time I washed the cars.
I do use air from the compressor to blow out the mirrors and wheels.

[Meticulous-Detail]

I use an electric leaf blower to dry and love it. Then use waffle weave to get any left over.

[STRIFE]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

I use a leaf blower all the time, when the wax protection is great, the water just flies off, It also works great on the wheels/ wheel wells. Any water remaining wan easily be blotted off with a MF towel....usually around the door jamms/ trunk...around the side mirriors
Sometimes I use the water sheeting method followed by the same blotting with a MF.
The leaf blower is great on a larger vehicle like my mini van

[Detailing by M]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

Yes Mike your right, but you can get ta DI system from Griot's for $300 bucks.
That's what I was referring to.
If I was just a home detailer I would definitely invest into a DI system. DI water is the best thing ever. So just like a good DA or good product, good water is essential.

[Malo83]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

I use an electric leaf blower to dry and love it. Then use waffle weave to get any left over.

X2

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

Sorry I said the leaf blower was silly...I forgot those plug in versions. I think my neighbors would have fit if I started my gas one up every time I washed the cars.
I do use air from the compressor to blow out the mirrors and wheels.

Ha! And here I forgot all about the gas powered leaf blowers (I believe they are actually banned in Los Angeles County). I can only imagine the looks from neighbors if one of those things was powered up and aimed at a car!

[STRIFE]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

Ha! And here I forgot all about the gas powered leaf blowers (I believe they are actually banned in Los Angeles County). I can only imagine the looks from neighbors if one of those things was powered up and aimed at a car!

LOL...same looks I get when they see me washing my car in the rain

[Psynx]

Re: Blow dry or towel dry

both
use my sidekick air blaster and use my waffle towel and also Megs synthetic spray wax for drying aid