Car blowers/after wash

[Brad H.]

Hi everyone...the new rage I guess is car blowers after you have washed. A great idea for keeping the scratches at a minimum with all the rags, mits, micro this and that and shammys that we use. What are the options and what is everyone happiest with as far as power, hose length, breaker size, dragging unit around with you etc. I see griots, corvette central and others seem to sell about the same thing but am not sure. Does one need that much power to clean water from the average size vehicle? Thank you again, Brad.

[Michael J.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

Interesting, but in my low humidity environment up here at 7000 feet (usually single digit humidity), I run my cars through the car wash and drive home on the highway at 60 mph, about 7 miles. The car is dry and no spots when I get home. But humid environments would be an extra challenge with how long you have to blow them dry I suspect.

[Richard G.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

We have high silica content in our water and you can't let tap water dry on your car without is spotting.
I have a used $10 electric leaf blower that works as good as anything. Then I use microfiber towels to finish it off.
One might consider protecting the end with something so if you accidentally touch the car its not going to damage anything.

Or you can get the 8-HP Car & Motorcycle Dryer for $349.99. Runs on 110V.
Another laughable specification. You might be able to get 3HP from a dedicated 110V circuit.

Or put the hose on your vacuum discharge port and blow away.

Rick

[Troy P.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

Brad,
Leaf blower works fine for the big areas. Somewhat difficult to maneuver though. A dedicated blower is great for the mirror, badges, handles, lights areas that trap water. I

f you get the largest size blower you can easily do your whole car with no need for the leaf blower. The next size down is ok for a full car but more appropriate for the detail work. I put a strap on mine and carry it over my shoulder. Then cut the hose to a more manageable length. Hose is long enough for blower to sit on the ground but too long if you are carrying the blower.

If you get the large size it is too heavy to carry and the long hose will be fine. The hose has a soft rubber tip so it won't scratch.

The same blowers are available via the manufacturer's company website, Amazon, etc. for drying dogs at pet groomers. Same product but much less expensive than buying one specified for cars. https://www.metrovacworld.com/


If you have issues with water spots I suggest you get a final rinse with deionized water. The system I have is on wheels so easy to store when not hooked up to the hose bib. The same system is available through Costco's website but once again I bought mine from the manufacturer and got a discount. https://crspotless.com/

[Leif A.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

Interesting, but in my low humidity environment up here at 7000 feet (usually single digit humidity), I run my cars through the car wash and drive home on the highway at 60 mph, about 7 miles. The car is dry and no spots when I get home. But humid environments would be an extra challenge with how long you have to blow them dry I suspect.

That brought back memories, Michael. When I was a kid, we did the same thing...we called it a "boulevard blast"...all the water, in all the nooks and crannies were gone by the time you got home. A light touch-up with a damp cloth was all that was needed

[Duke W.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

My old electric leaf blower works fine for me followed by toweling off with old cotton bath towels. Being as how I drive my cars so little and rarely in rain, I probably only have to wash them once or twice a year.

I have a buddy who uses his air compressor. Either a leaf blower of compressed air is good at getting the water out of all the nooks and crannies that trap water.

Duke

[Brad H.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

Thanks guys for all the info. Brad.

[Gene M.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

Why not just use the blow gun with the air compressor? I blow out the water behind the stainless trim around the windows and behind the bumpers, grill and door jambs. The rest of the car is dried with a microfiber towel and Maguier’s Detail spray. The grandson will always help grandpa.

[Allen N.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

I've been using my regular old electric leaf blower for over 20 years. Anything more is overkill.

[Donald O.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

I do the same, and my grandson "helps" too.

[Gary J.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

I use the Air Force Master Blaster. You can hold the hose with its attachment very close to the trim and blow the water that may be trap under it. Wished I had this when I was detailing cars on the weekend years ago, it would have saved me a lot of time. Try holding the leaf blower close to the trim, not saying it cant be done, but you better control using the hose.

[Mark E.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

For me the question is moot.

I take a hose to my collector cars (listen to me- I currently have one) maybe once a year. To keep the paint clean, I regularly dry wash using Meguair's Waterless Wash, or a similar product. Faster, easier, and less water means less corrosion.

I dry wash our daily drivers about once a week, which takes 10-15 minutes per car. They get a hose only if truly dirty- that's 3-4x per year. Dry washing means you'll have the cleanest car in the neighborhood, yet spend less time with this chore than many.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

For me the question is moot.

I take a hose to my collector cars (listen to me- I currently have one) maybe once a year. To keep the paint clean, I regularly dry wash using Meguair's Waterless Wash, or a similar product. Faster, easier, and less water means less corrosion.

I dry wash our daily drivers about once a week, which takes 10-15 minutes per car. They get a hose only if truly dirty- that's 3-4x per year. Dry washing means you'll have the cleanest car in the neighborhood, yet spend less time with this chore than many.

In Texas you can probably get away with that.

My 2008 gets washed a few times per year as I drive it to NCRS events, etc, and it invariably rains on each of these trips.
The 70 Cutlass gets wiped down similar to what you do, as it's only out on sunny days. I wipe bugs off the front, and that's about it.

I tried using a hand leaf blower, but hated lifting it over the car.
Last week I used my (new) Stihl backpack blower on the 2008 and the Cutlass before I put them away and that did a great job, much better than the handheld blower.

[Tim G.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

I've tried the leaf blower, but it takes quite a while. There's one made for drying cars that uses heated air, I'd like to try that.

[Brad H.]

Re: Car blowers/after wash

Hi guys and thanks a lot for the tips. Sounds like were all on the same page and have tried everything to do what we want but try and make something we already have to do the job. They all work fine but what is the easiest and least amount of work. That would be not lifting anything over a vehicle that could be dropped or dragged over the finish. I would probably lean toward a good blower that has the power to do the job that wont pop a breaker every time it is fired up. That said, those of you who have done it and are happy with their purchase, what did you settle on? Thank you again and push away from the table a little early TG day. Brad.