Leaf Blower Question

[louart]

I'd stay away from either blower. The safe move is to purchase two large beach towels at a cut rate store. They work like a charm and never scratch or pit the finish. Used this approach on my 1993 Probe gt and after 16 years the paint looks great! My wife owns the Solstice and I'm chief pit crew and it only takes one beach towel to dry her off. Then a this coat of liquid glass and she's ready to dazel the world once again. 007 cool GXP 5100 miles
no problems but tons of fun and nice comments!!

[mrssky]

I used our gas powered leaf blower, its very powerful!
Mary
p.s. We use it on our Vipers as well, great around the cracks, and especially around the wheel lug nuts...

mary/MRSSKY

[Uptownmarie]

Originally Posted by mrssky I used our gas powered leaf blower, its very powerful! Mary p.s. We use it on our Vipers as well, great around the cracks, and especially around the wheel lug nuts... mary/MRSSKY

That's what I use our gas leaf blower for also....The front and rear "honeycome" too. Don't forget the side mirrors

[brendand]

I used an air blower they had at the coin wash place a couple weeks ago. I thought it was great! Really easy to get the water out of all the tiny spots. Especially the front grill and mirrors. Also the gas cap and the rear OnStar antenna. That thing always leaks a tiny bit after I've dried with he waffle weave towel when I've got the trunk open. I would think that using a leaf blower would be great to prevent scratches on the car too. I know that a good waffle weave towel shouldn't scratch the paint, but sometimes when it's windy out (most of the time here in Calgary) there is a bit of dust on the car even after you've washed it.

[sirwm]

I use an electric leaf blower to dry the car.
When the car is freshly waxed, the blower makes
the water just fly off the car.

Gotta love it.

[GregGXP]

I went and picked up a Toro Electric today. Thanks for all the comments. I have always washed and dried by hand, but the pollen has been so bad that the car get coated before I can get it all dried. Also, when it gets hot out, you have to move really fast to avoid the water spots drying before you can get them wiped. This should make things a bit easier.

[firedup]

Originally Posted by louart I'd stay away from either blower. The safe move is to purchase two large beach towels at a cut rate store. They work like a charm and never scratch or pit the finish. Used this approach on my 1993 Probe gt and after 16 years the paint looks great! My wife owns the Solstice and I'm chief pit crew and it only takes one beach towel to dry her off. Then a this coat of liquid glass and she's ready to dazel the world once again. 007 cool GXP 5100 miles no problems but tons of fun and nice comments!!

You will eventually get swirls in your paint from the cotton towels. Stick to microfiber towels after drying with a blower.

[sunnygator]

Originally Posted by GregGXP I have heard of people using leaf blowers for drying their cars after a wash for sometime.

I've used an electric one, but frankly don't use it on my Sol anymore, though I still use it on my other cars.

I use a PVA Chamois, and then a very quick wipe with a waffle microfiber towel. The Chamois can absorb so much, I don't think it helps much to use the leaf blower first.

[FredinVa]

Beach towels no,
Chamois no,
MF is the only way to go.

My chamois have been retired since 2/06

Oh yeah, Echo Backpak blower, since I'm mostly in the woods.

fred

[Celeste]

I don't think I would EVER use one of these anywhere NEAR Celeste. I use a soft towel or chamois.

[Ruthie]

We (ummm - ok ok HE) uses an electric leaf blower on Sky & Harley - works great.

[treborwhip]

Went out Saturday and bought an electric leaf blower at Home Depot for $30.00. It is supposed to blow 150 mph which should be plenty. Haven't had a chance to use it yet because it's pouring rain here in PA.

[brendand]

I see people still saying they'd never use a leaf blower, but the way I see it, scraping a microfibre towel across my car to dry it would do more damage than some fast moving air. Especially if you pick up any dust particles while drying.

[FredinVa]

Originally Posted by brendand I see people still saying they'd never use a leaf blower, but the way I see it, scraping a microfibre towel across my car to dry it would do more damage than some fast moving air. Especially if you pick up any dust particles while drying.

Besides AIR, for drying, a MF towel is the only way to go. This was one of the first things I learned on this forum. The biggest majority of owners here ONLY use MF for drying/detailing. I don't know if there was ever a poll done here, but do a search on microfiber and you'll (those) using beach towels and chamois will change their mind.
It's the kindest material for drying. And for buffing wax!!!!

fred

[brendand]

I agree that microfiber is the way to go. I use nothing but microfiber on my car, but it just seemed like the leaf blower would be even a better idea. I believe that Gary (turbomangt) formerly from Perfect Auto Finish also recommended at one point a leaf blower to get water out of all the hard to dry places.