dmarkshark

question is, I know some of you use a blow dryer for your cars, and was looking for suggestions from people that have actually used them. Your suggestions, and are they worth it? Getting older and looking if there is something easier than hand drying them, especially with four cars (corvette is the easy one) that are hard to keep clean. Please don't suggest a car wash, don't care for them.
Thanks

Choreo

I have used a Master-Blaster for years. If you can afford one, that is the way to go.

Some use leaf blowers, but they do not "filter" the air, so if there is dust and particles in the air (like where I live), it just concentrates them toward the clear coat. The Master-Blaster also heats the air which aids in evaporating the water. Finally, the rubber nozzle increases the velocity at the exit, it is able to get into small places that a leaf blower can't reach and it protects against accidentally scratching the paint if it touches.

In short, it's a tool designed for the job.

Crosis

Yeah there's no way I would ever spend $400 to dry a car. These are cars, not the crown jewels.

Chicago1

Leaf blower...and what he said above me

Vetteman Jack

I wash the car then take it for a quick blast down the highway. By the time it is back in the garage, the vast majority of the water is gone and some detailing spray/microfiber towel makes quick work of getting the car looking great.

capevettes

If your car has a good coat of polish/wax on it the water should bead up on it. After washing I take the open hose nozzle and "sheet" the water off. After that there is almost nothing left. Follow that up with a good waffle weave microfiber for what little is left. Then I use the backpack leaf blower for the wheels and areas where water accumulates. I've heard all the stories about contaminants from the leaf blower. Haven't experienced that, so I'll have to respectfully disagree. IMO these contraptions that blow hot air are probably very nice, but they are too expensive and unnecessary.

Shakeydeal

Leaf blower for me. I get the majority of the water off, towel dry the rest.


Shakey

runner140*

I use a "large" WetVack and use the blower side....Think it cost $49.95 complete with all attachments.

peteinpa

I have a master blaster. Well worth the investment IMHO. filtered and heated air makes for quick work. Gets the water out of the mirrors and other drop spots. Plus no scratching.

I use it on all my vehicles when I wash. So it gets used very frequently.

Sabre34

Leaf blower.

glbeauchamp

Leaf blower here too. And now that we're on the subject, just how many quarts of water get trapped in the window weatherstripping, mirrors, and emblems? It seems I go over those areas time and again and the water just keeps coming out, especially the moulding around the back window (Z06). Maybe coupes and verts are different?

JR-01

I am sure glad I went with waterless washes a long time ago. Makes life a lot easier, the Vette always looks show ready and I don't have to deal with the above issues.

lonerider2002

I got one of these filters for my garden hose and it makes washing my 5 cars much easier with no ( or very little ) water spots. The Vette rarely sees water of any kind-rain or wash asI have been using Maguire's waterless wash & wax for quite a while now w/great results. Just a quick wipe with a soft shammy does the trick after washing.
Click the "spot-free car wash" link for some good info.

http://www.purewaterproducts.com/garden-hose-filters

I also have a Jet-blaster that I used w/my Harley(which I recently sold but don't seem to need it when using this filter.

Mayor111

Im going to suggest a different method (as stated by JR). I no longer "wash" my car. I use the Waterless Wash & Wax from Meguiars.

I can not tell you how much cleaner and smoother my paint looks and feels since I stopped "washing" my car. Also, instead of taking 2+ hours to wash and dry the car - with the waterless product Im done in 30 to 45 min.

Also - just my personal opinion, but I once used a lead blower to take the water off my car after a wash, and yes it gets the water off quickly and easily... However, once dry, the paint did not feel smooth at all...Id go so far to say it felt rough.

Now if you Vette is a daily driver or you live where cars get really dirty just going around the block, yes you may have to wash your car here and there - but if you can go waterless - trust me, you will thank me in the long run.

Route99

And a more fun way to dry the car!!

Choreo

That is where something like a Master Blaster comes in, but be careful what you wish for. It won't only blow out all the water trapped under moldings (like the rear window) but it also blows out all the dust, dirt and mud with it if you decide that is what you want! The first time you use it, you may have to wash the car again! It is really great for things like around lug nuts and taillight lenses where a leaf blower just removes what you see, so all the hidden water runs out later.

That said, the past few years I have only "washed" my car 1-2 times per year since switching to waterless maintenance methods.

calguy

I make it a point to hose down my Vette and blow dry each and every day.

It is not in a garage, but parked under a carport.

Even if a vehicle is parked in a closed garage, it is going to get dust on it, and you are telling we on this forum that your finish is spectacular by using a water-less product?

Below is a pic of my vette taken five minutes ago.
You can see the accumulated dust on the finish.

If i took a rag to this finish before hosing it down, I would have minor scratches, and most definitely swirl marks.

I just don't believe you when you say your finish is "show ready, if you are not removing the contaminants before taking any kind of rag to the surface.

Bottom pic is after hosing down and blow dry.

JR-01

I have been using waterless wash products including Chadwicks and now Meguiers for the last 20 years. When I get dust on it I go ever it lightly with a California duster and then use Meguiers Waterless wash and wax. My C5 looks better now than when I bought it. I had been washing my show cars for 20 years before I learned about waterless wash products at a car show from guys using it on their $200K show cars.. Almost everyone that switches to waterless products do not go back to soap and water. The ones that do probably aren't following instructions. Personally I don't care if you believe me or not and you hose down your car everyday. That's up to you. I get the same results with less effort in a lot less time.

calguy

Using a california duster on any vehicle finish is sure to grind dirt particles into the finish .

Anytime one takes any kind of cloth to a "dry" finish, you are going to embed contaminants into the finish.
Obviously you are seeing dust on the finish , which is why you are using the duster to begin with.

Hey, it's your car, and you can do what you want with it, but I would never ,ever use one of those on any vehicle I own.

Like everything in life, you get what you pay for, and I don't care if it's money, or time.

When one cuts corners they will never get the results that one gets when spending an appreciable amount of time on detailing.

Like I said,your car, do what you want.

Bob.

JR-01

You obviously have no experience with a California duster or have been using it wrong.
My car is a driver, it looks better than the day I bought it, it gets compliments at car shows all the time and I have washed it only once in the last 5 years.