Leaf Blowers?

[Beemerboy]

Bit of a discussion on another car forum about leaf blowers used to dry the car as the soul source. I said that over time you would start to see a build up of water deposits.

Some agreed and others are convinced that they are not going to...

I use a LB but its for removing water in the tight areas only.

Whats everyones take on LB as a drying tool?

[Stephan]

I use the guzzler towel and then follow up with my air compressor and blow out the cracks and crevices. I guess there is nothing wrong with using a leaf blower, although you have to lift it and hold it up to dry. Also make sure that where ever you are drying is pretty clean because anything on the driveway gets blown up and thrown against the paint.

Some people may like it but for me its just to bulky.

[carazy]

I use one to remove 75% of the water and then use MF to dry. I couldn`t use a LB without towels, little drops of water are just going to leave little water marks. I only use a blower that has not been used to suck up leaves.

[YNOT]

I don`t use a leaf blower. I dry my cars with a MF drying towel and then I use my RIDGID vac with a crevice tool (with my hand cupped around it to avoid scratching) to `vacuum` out all nooks/crannies/crevices/lug nuts/mirrors/etc. To me I feel that does a much better job and saves me from those annoying water spots after I drive it.

**WARNING!!** I have used my 265 mph lawn/leaf blower a few times where the nozzle came loose and shot across the driveway.

So...let that be a warning...if you are using a leaf blower to dry your car, be sure to hold the nozzle as you blow or be sure that it is properly inserted and locked in place somehow otherwise you could put a really big dent/scratch in your car or worse yet a customers car!

That`s my .02¢.

[jlift]

I don`t use a leaf blower. I dry my cars with a MF drying towel and then I use my RIDGID vac with a crevice tool (with my hand cupped around it to avoid scratching) to `vacuum` out all nooks/crannies/crevices/lug nuts/mirrors/etc. To me I feel that does a much better job and saves me from those annoying water spots after I drive it.

**WARNING!!** I have used my 265 mph lawn/leaf blower a few times where the nozzle came loose and shot across the driveway.

So...let that be a warning...if you are using a leaf blower to dry your car, be sure to hold the nozzle as you blow or be sure that it is properly inserted and locked in place somehow otherwise you could put a really big dent/scratch in your car or worse yet a customers car!

That`s my .02¢.

Man, that`s a great idea! Suck the water out instead of blow it out! Why didn`t I think of it?? Blowing the water out with my leaf blower or Craftsman 5.5 HP vac does get messy! Thank you YNOT for sharing that! Sometimes another solution is so obvious that you can`t see it. I can`t wait to try it.

[Stephan]

maybe there is a way to fix a portion of a microfiber towel at the end of the hose to go over the edge that way you can push the hose right against the surface without fear of damaging the paint, and thus not having to cup your hand around it.

[Beemerboy]

My leaf blower has a low setting and I have never felt that its blown up dust onto the car....I always do this in the garage and the floor is always blown out before I start a car...one for dust and the other is so my detail chair doesn`t hit any little rocks....makes the wheels stick

[dr_detail]

For me, drying with chamios then blowing the cracks/crevices with air (using the chamios to clean up the blow-out) seems to be the most efficient and reliable method. I`ve tried the leaf blower method and it does work well when using D-I or R-O waters, but for me, I experienced no time savings, and found it kinda was a PITA to do. I also used to use the vac-out the mirrors, cracks, crevice, etc. method but found that it took it`s toll on vac filters as I was having to replace them too often due to the added moisture.

For the weekender, or the hobbiest though, the blower method I think has some serious advantages in maintaining the longevity of a professional finish as it involves less wiping of the vehicle which is the #1 cause of finish marring.

Just my .02¢.