Drying her off
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Drying her off
Well today I got sick of hand wiping my ride and I whipped out the leaf blower. Its was great, but then 3 seconds later I shut it off. I figured some dust particle may blow onto my paint from yard usage, AND that because the muffler is pointing forward, I risk overlaying her in 2 cycle oil. Keep in mind after I dry it I use the Zaino spray.
I have my FX, a Saab, and a Vette which I wash and am **** about. I have well water and If I dont dry the car the water will dry with "hard spots", or white water marks. So I need to dry it every time.
I want to Start Blowing my car off because it seems much faster, easier, and then I can get the spots I missed with a cotton towel.
I know they have that fancy car blower for like $250 but that seems a little crazy. Can any one recommend a leaf blower where the exhaust does not point at the car, or a good electric/batter powered ?
Thanks Dan
I have my FX, a Saab, and a Vette which I wash and am **** about. I have well water and If I dont dry the car the water will dry with "hard spots", or white water marks. So I need to dry it every time.
I want to Start Blowing my car off because it seems much faster, easier, and then I can get the spots I missed with a cotton towel.
I know they have that fancy car blower for like $250 but that seems a little crazy. Can any one recommend a leaf blower where the exhaust does not point at the car, or a good electric/batter powered ?
Thanks Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
I use my leaf blower but it's electric, little bit of a pain to drag the cord out but don't have to worry about about any gas or oil getting on my paint. Pretty inexpensive to buy.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
I have one of those blowers that goes on your back like a backpack.
I've been blowing off my cars for 10 years without any particles and/or oil.
I wouldn't worry about it and if you happened to get some oil well then just wipe it off.
I've been blowing off my cars for 10 years without any particles and/or oil.
I wouldn't worry about it and if you happened to get some oil well then just wipe it off.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Air dried from now on...
I use an electric leaf blower. Cheap and effective. I discovered the less I wiped my black paint with anything, the less patina would develop and the better/longer the shine.
I use a 5-gal bucket (2) and a lamb's wool mit w/ lots of suds on a the wetted paint surface to minimize dragging microscopic silicates over the paint. And, the leaf blower trick made a noticeable difference in reducing the "haze" (read: micro fine scratches) over several washings.
P.
I use a 5-gal bucket (2) and a lamb's wool mit w/ lots of suds on a the wetted paint surface to minimize dragging microscopic silicates over the paint. And, the leaf blower trick made a noticeable difference in reducing the "haze" (read: micro fine scratches) over several washings.
P.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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Tried the leaf blower once, all it did for me was put dust in places that weren't dusty before, maybe it's just me though
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
I live in an apartment complex and I usually have to drive to a hand car wash place. My car in in the shop now being painted and I nervous to go back their when I get it back, especially after spending about 4k on the paint job. Do they sell some type of personal car wash system or do I have to buy 2, 5 gallon buckets and wash the car in sections. basically, rinse the car then go back up, refill the bucket with water and wash and rinse again 3 times. So annoying....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Man I think I started that trend back in 1994 when I was on a either a corvette or rx-7 mailing list. Remember going through an automatic carwash in my trunk and while going through the drying part with those big air blowers the idea struck me that my leaf blower could do the same thing.
Tried it and it worked great, posted the idea to the list and initially everyone thought I was totally nuts until they all started trying it. Seems now a days it's rather common! I actually bought a electric leaf blower just for drying my car. The other one I use for yard work.
Regardless, still get the odd looks from neighbors and if you use an electric one, make sure your outlet is GFC, which today most are because of electrical code requirements. Lets face it standing on damp ground with an electric leaf blower might not be the smartest idea, but almost 20 years later I still do it
!
Tried it and it worked great, posted the idea to the list and initially everyone thought I was totally nuts until they all started trying it. Seems now a days it's rather common! I actually bought a electric leaf blower just for drying my car. The other one I use for yard work.
Regardless, still get the odd looks from neighbors and if you use an electric one, make sure your outlet is GFC, which today most are because of electrical code requirements. Lets face it standing on damp ground with an electric leaf blower might not be the smartest idea, but almost 20 years later I still do it
!
