Leaf Blower

[Airbalancer]

I hate drying the car, has anyone used a leaf blower to dry their car?
Or best way to dry a car.
I have no garage , to dry the car inside.

[GnarlyCow]

Best way I have found is a chamois, but it does take time.

If you hate drying your car, why not use the Mr. Clean AutoDry system? It's not as good as a chamois but apparently the results are pretty good.

[Yorgi]

Regin8r uses a leaf blower and apparently likes it. Might piss off the neighbours.

See this post (http://www.e46toronto.ca/forums/showpost.php?p=35204&postcount=6)

I use a California Water Blade plus microfibre towels to finish up. It's very fast but you have to be careful to get the car very clean and keep the blade clean. I've never scratched my car with the CWB.

[christyles]

Regin8r uses a leaf blower and apparently likes it. Might piss off the neighbours.

See this post (http://www.e46toronto.ca/forums/showpost.php?p=35204&postcount=6)

I use a California Water Blade plus microfibre towels to finish up. It's very fast but you have to be careful to get the car very clean and keep the blade clean. I've never scratched my car with the CWB.
I use the same process. CWB then chamois.
If i have access to an air compressor and air gun, I'll use that to get any water sitting in recessed areas.

[Regin8r]

Yup, I use it, and it's great. No water in the recesses like in the crevices on the bumper and around marker lights, door sills, trunk sills. Also, those small spaces between the spokes on the M68 rims are a breeze to clean.

It is noisy though. So doing it after 10pm is probably not a good idea. But you won't get annoying water spots after driving on the back of the car.

Usually, I only use the blower if I'm doing the vacuum as well because the extension cord is already out. I think I'm getting lazier.

For regular washing, I just use the Absorber to dry windows, and the waffle weave MF towel to dry paint.

Reg

[STALKER]

Regin8r uses a leaf blower and apparently likes it. Might piss off the neighbours.

See this post (http://www.e46toronto.ca/forums/showpost.php?p=35204&postcount=6)

I use a California Water Blade plus microfibre towels to finish up. It's very fast but you have to be careful to get the car very clean and keep the blade clean. I've never scratched my car with the CWB.
Me too, works well and fast.

[Airbalancer]

Leaf blower on sale at CTC 1/2 price $70

[hytymes]

Before drying remove the hose nozzle or set it to pour. Start at the top work down. Walk around the car once, water will sheet off leaving less than 50% remaining. The remaining water will be in blotches not little beads so it also takes longer to dry thus preventing water spots. Clean up from here is much easier. My black car loves it.

Probably not as good a job as CWB, but you don't have to touch anything. Try it, its impressive. I never thought adding more water would make it easier to dry my car either but it does.

[GnarlyCow]

Along this note, the SImoniz 3-in-1 is on sale for $199 (down from $349) at Canadian Tire. It's a leaf blower, vaccuum, and high pressure hose all built into 1. I just got one and love it.

Simoniz 3-in-1 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6670761&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1126910347999&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443281473&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true)

[Airbalancer]

I have no place to keep one close to the driveway :crying:

[christyles]

Along this note, the SImoniz 3-in-1 is on sale for $199 (down from $349) at Canadian Tire. It's a leaf blower, vaccuum, and high pressure hose all built into 1. I just got one and love it.

Simoniz 3-in-1 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6670761&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1126910347999&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443281473&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true)
I'm not a big fan of 3-in-1's, 2-in-1's, 50-in-1's... I find they tend to break faster and when it does usually the whole unit is toast. I prefer stand alone units.

But it sounds like a great deal.

[GnarlyCow]

I'm not a big fan of 3-in-1's, 2-in-1's, 50-in-1's... I find they tend to break faster and when it does usually the whole unit is toast. I prefer stand alone units.

But it sounds like a great deal.

It's technically not 3 things in 1 unit. It's a leaf blower/vaccuum built into 1 unit and it functions the same for both modes (sucks out of one end, blows out the other)....and if you want the vaccuum, you just put the vaccuum bag on the blowing end, and put the hose attachment to the sucking end. Then the power washer is it's own unit. They just made it look cool and have a nice wall mount to hold it all together.

I agree that x-in-1 things are generally bad, but since this is technically 3 seaparate items, I decided to get it

[Regin8r]

Before drying remove the hose nozzle or set it to pour. Start at the top work down. Walk around the car once, water will sheet off leaving less than 50% remaining. The remaining water will be in blotches not little beads so it also takes longer to dry thus preventing water spots. Clean up from here is much easier. My black car loves it.

Probably not as good a job as CWB, but you don't have to touch anything. Try it, its impressive. I never thought adding more water would make it easier to dry my car either but it does.

That works in general, but the leaf blower is for attacked the problems areas:

Hood Grill
Side Mirrors
Door Jambs
Trunk Jambs
License Plates
Rim Crevices

As dry as the car is after you wipe (water blade or whatever method), if you have to go somewhere right away after washing, when you reach your destination, you will find water spots leaked out from somewhere (most likely the license plate on the trunk), and sometimes the around the rear light lens.

[christyles]

That works in general, but the leaf blower is for attacked the problems areas:

Hood Grill
Side Mirrors
Door Jambs
Trunk Jambs
License Plates
Rim Crevices

As dry as the car is after you wipe (water blade or whatever method), if you have to go somewhere right away after washing, when you reach your destination, you will find water spots leaked out from somewhere (most likely the license plate on the trunk), and sometimes the around the rear light lens.True say even though I getalmost all water recessed in the areas.

I'll be saving up in the winter for an air compressor and air tools for next year. Then all recessed water will not be a problem. ;)