car cleaning
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 9
From: New Braunfels, TX
I have used my Stihl leaf blower for a year or so and it is great at removing water from mirrors, tail lights, side marker lights, etc. I did notice recently however, that all my cars, even though waxed, had some sort of roughness on the paint surface when I ran my fingers across the paint. It wasn't glass-smooth as it had been and I wonder if it's possible that some exhaust gets caught in the air stream and deposited minute droplets of oil that then attracted dust? If you think about it, the exhaust port isn't too far from the air inlet. So, I stopped using the blower and no more roughness on the paint. Coincidence? I don't know.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,107
Likes: 26
From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 4
From: Oswego NY
I use a weed eater model that we got a Wally World. Had it for a couple of years now. It works fine.
I bought it on-line and had it shipped to the store. My wife was nice enough to pick it up for me. When they brought it out another lady commented to my wife that it was nice to see that her husband was going to do some yard work. My wife just laughed and told her it was for drying the Vette and would not be used for any other purpose. the other lady said I must be nuts. She might be right.
I bought it on-line and had it shipped to the store. My wife was nice enough to pick it up for me. When they brought it out another lady commented to my wife that it was nice to see that her husband was going to do some yard work. My wife just laughed and told her it was for drying the Vette and would not be used for any other purpose. the other lady said I must be nuts. She might be right.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 99
From: O'Fallon Illinois - Currently own a 2016 Z06 1LZ A8 Coupe
MT
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
I highly suggest using more than just water ... if you don't want to use traditional soap, you should consider a rinseless or waterless wash. They are far more lubricated and offer emulsifiers and other ingredients to help remove dirt without harming paint. You can still use water to flush paint before and after its use as desired.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 239
From: Colorado
I've used them, but there is so much water left in various places, you still need to go over it with a microfiber cloth. The silicone blade seems to work quicker, strangely enough, and leaves less water to remove with the cloth. Plus, the blower is unwieldy. Still, certainly nothing wrong with using one, just not my first choice.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 99
From: O'Fallon Illinois - Currently own a 2016 Z06 1LZ A8 Coupe
I highly suggest using more than just water ... if you don't want to use traditional soap, you should consider a rinseless or waterless wash. They are far more lubricated and offer emulsifiers and other ingredients to help remove dirt without harming paint. You can still use water to flush paint before and after its use as desired.
MT