Leaf blower to remove excess water prior to drying?
09-27-2018, 10:18 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Leaf blower to remove excess water prior to drying?
As stated, I'm considering the use of a leaf blower to get rid of excess water prior to drying my car after washing. Since our local water is very hard (as in PH), it tends to leave white mineral deposits upon drying. This in effect happens rather quickly due to our year round tropical weather that accelerates water evaporation despite my always washing the car in my covered carport.
I do use a good wax that creates great beading of water droplets. However, these quickly start to evaporate before I can finish hand drying the car. So it comes to mind that maybe the use of a leaf blower could get rid of most of the surface water droplets and minimize the mineral deposits that cause "spotting".
Your opinions/experiences/objections/admonishments/etc. would be greatly appreciated.
I do use a good wax that creates great beading of water droplets. However, these quickly start to evaporate before I can finish hand drying the car. So it comes to mind that maybe the use of a leaf blower could get rid of most of the surface water droplets and minimize the mineral deposits that cause "spotting".
Your opinions/experiences/objections/admonishments/etc. would be greatly appreciated.
09-27-2018, 10:22 AM
#2
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Good idea, but not the best tool. Leaf blowers don’t filter the air that they blow, so they will blow lots of fine particles of dirt or other foreign objects on your paint, and they will scratch the surface. Your best bet is to buy a blower that is specifically designed to dry cars.
09-27-2018, 10:30 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
I use an air compressor (wide nozzle from a distance, low pressure) to blow out water from all the body seams, cracks, and mirrors. I do this after I'm done drying all the body panels and then re wipe dry the areas where water blew out. I stay away from drying the whole car using air because of the same concern Dennis C pointed out. It's too easy to blow dust and dirt right back onto the car which could cause micro scratching when doing your final wiping.
09-27-2018, 10:31 AM
#4
good microfiber towels pick up alot of water and usually 2 will do the whole car. I blow the car after I dry it to get water out of cracks and mirrors and bumpers and windows, etc so drops wont come back when I drive it
09-27-2018, 10:31 AM
#5
Three Wheelin'
We’ve discussed this before. Check out this link:
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/9871...ar-drying.html
If you are really into detailing, and have the means to purchase something a little more expensive, check out a deionized water filtration system. If your water is hard and evaporates as quickly as you indicate, this would be your solution - but it is pricey.
https://crspotless.com/
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/9871...ar-drying.html
If you are really into detailing, and have the means to purchase something a little more expensive, check out a deionized water filtration system. If your water is hard and evaporates as quickly as you indicate, this would be your solution - but it is pricey.
https://crspotless.com/
09-27-2018, 10:34 AM
#6
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MasterBlaster FTW!
Buy from Phil at Detailer's Domain. He runs a great sale near Xmas. 25% off and free shipping. I bought mine about 3 years ago. IIRC it was about $300 out-the-door. One of the best luxury cleaning items I've ever purchased.
Buy from Phil at Detailer's Domain. He runs a great sale near Xmas. 25% off and free shipping. I bought mine about 3 years ago. IIRC it was about $300 out-the-door. One of the best luxury cleaning items I've ever purchased.
09-27-2018, 10:44 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
I do it all the time, all cars. Car washes now even have them hooked up inside the bay. Leaf blower is fine. It does cut way down on those hard water residue spots
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09-27-2018, 12:19 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
Also, for quick drying, the Griot's Garage 25"x35" is amazing at quickly absorbing all of the water.
https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...ortby=ourPicks
09-27-2018, 01:21 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
They do. You still need the soft cloth, but that is for the finish treatment with a good detail spray. The blower, regardless of what type you use, gets the water out of all of those nooks and crannies that a cloth can never reach.
09-27-2018, 01:52 PM
#12
Three Wheelin'
Leaf blower to remove excess water prior to drying?
I use a cordless leaf blower all the time and unless I want a car show dry it's pretty much the only way I dry all my my cars. I just make sure not to dry it in a dusty area where dirt can be kicked up from the ground or I blow that drying area prior and then move my car to that area. It's much faster and it blows all the water out of the lens and car seams and no scratching or hard water marks !! The only way to go ...I modified the nozzle tip on mine from a round shape to a u-shape for more efficient drying.
09-27-2018, 06:25 PM
#13
Check out California Squeegie. Soft rubbery blade that gets rid of enough water that a single medium sized waffle towel will complete the process.
09-27-2018, 08:03 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
I've used gas blower a lot. Mostly to get water from crevices towel can't reach. Like you have hard water so back over car with Griot's Speed Shine. Like purists say, it might blow small particles on car and impact paint. But figure do good job polishing and waxing and accept the fate. My car is very nice, but I'm not entering concours. I'm driving it on public roads and will accept reality. If you ever sell car (which you'll regret), make sure to reduce price by $200 cause you used a blower and it'll need professional detail on paint.
Purists forgive me for being realist on DD
that gets 6-7000 miles/yr.
Purists forgive me for being realist on DD
that gets 6-7000 miles/yr.
09-27-2018, 08:22 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
