Leaf Blower Drying

Kief · 12-07-2015, 10:48 AM

After all these years of drying my cars with the flooding and microfiber/waffle weave method, I finally bought an electric leaf blower to try. I p/u an el'cheapo ($30) Toro from Lowes, but was not impressed--I probably was expecting more (I believe it is rated at 150mph).

What speed/blower do you guys recommend? I'm not interested in a $XXX professional detailers unit.

AlphaOmega4 · 12-07-2015, 11:25 AM

I have a nice Electric Echo Blower...

don't remember what MPH it is .. it does a fairly good job.. mind you the best way to use this is ..

1. sheet water off car with hose.

2. electric leaf blower // crevices/ nooks / glass and over all paint.

3. High end microfiber towel like one from the Carpro Microfiber Madness assortment and a quick detailer or hybrid spray wax like Aquawax or Meguiars ultimate quick wax to aid as a drying aid.

** Personally I have the car coated and it makes drying a Breeze***

Highly recommend you put a Ceramic Coating on your car.. If not a Quality Sealant every 6 months is a good alternative.

Unless you buy something really high end like a Metro Blaster you will still need to lightly dry the paint with a quality microfiber or waffle weave and a drying aid.

Hope this helps

te37 · 12-07-2015, 11:47 AM

Im gonna go with the guy above me, i used a shop vac converted to a blower and dry my car that way. I have two hoses, one for drying and one for vacuuming. I have never scraped a dry towel/ microfiber across my car for years now.

MaX PL · 12-07-2015, 06:17 PM

the trick for using a leaf blower is to also have a sealant on your car. leaf blower on an unprotected car is not impressive.

edwinm3 · 12-07-2015, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

After all these years of drying my cars with the flooding and microfiber/waffle weave method, I finally bought an electric leaf blower to try. I p/u an el'cheapo ($30) Toro from Lowes, but was not impressed--I probably was expecting more (I believe it is rated at 150mph).

What speed/blower do you guys recommend? I'm not interested in a $XXX professional detailers unit.

i have the toro one and works great for me

AYTifosi · 12-07-2015, 06:38 PM

Optimum Gloss Coat, Optimum no rinse wash/wax and a Metro Vac!

Metro Vacuum SK-1 Air Force Blaster Sidekick Compact & Portable Motorcycle Dryer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQB24G..._5yIzwbSNRFGRY

Xtabi · 12-07-2015, 06:41 PM

I have been using the leaf blower method for 1.5 years. It works perfectly. The secret is you need something like Sonax Polymer Netshield on it. The water flows right off!

Kief · 12-08-2015, 06:46 AM

Thanks guys.

Every week, depending on the weather, I wash and apply a sealant (I'm a Poorboy's EXP fan) due to my OCD, so the water does run off easily. I guess I was just expecting more. I still might exchange it for a more powerful one.

dmk08 · 12-08-2015, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYTifosi

Optimum Gloss Coat, Optimum no rinse wash/wax and a Metro Vac!

Metro Vacuum SK-1 Air Force Blaster Sidekick Compact & Portable Motorcycle Dryer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQB24G..._5yIzwbSNRFGRY

This. I run opti gloss coat and the same blower OP has from lowes. Water flys off.

Xtabi · 12-08-2015, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

Thanks guys.

Every week, depending on the weather, I wash and apply a sealant (I'm a Poorboy's EXP fan) due to my OCD, so the water does run off easily. I guess I was just expecting more. I still might exchange it for a more powerful one.

That's interesting because I use a cheap-o electric blower and it works great.

Kief · 12-08-2015, 08:12 AM

When you guys mentioned Metro Vac, I thought you were referring to the Master Blaster for $500+. So that little motorcycle unit does the entire car or just the nooks and crannies? $75 isn't bad and it looks like it blows 205 mph

RocketBoots · 12-08-2015, 09:21 AM

I use a Stihl (gas) leaf blower. But I didn't buy it for the car, originally; I bought it for, well, blowing leaves

Then, I found it drys the car real well. Having a good wax/sealant/coating does help a lot, in both the washing and drying. I'm not super picky about drying the car though, since I have the CRSpotless

Brosef · 12-10-2015, 11:58 AM

I've got one of these, which is an absolute beast. two stroke and 75 ccs, so it has more power than a lot of scooters.

when looking at mph, don't be fooled by just looking at the mph. look at the volume of air the unit moves per minute (CFM - cubic feet per minute). it's easy to jack up the mph by using a thinner nozzle, but you can't fake CFM.

Brosef · 12-10-2015, 12:24 PM

here's your answer:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1188380

Kief · 12-10-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brosef

here's your answer:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1188380

Thanks. I just PM'd him, but his ad fell silent...

Never Convicted · 12-10-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brosef

I've got one of these, which is an absolute beast. two stroke and 75 ccs, so it has more power than a lot of scooters.

when looking at mph, don't be fooled by just looking at the mph. look at the volume of air the unit moves per minute (CFM - cubic feet per minute). it's easy to jack up the mph by using a thinner nozzle, but you can't fake CFM.

If you point the nozzle down, can you use that as a jetpack?

morgan302 · 12-11-2015, 08:17 AM

Every time I read one of these it seems like it should be a joke. I can not see blowing unfiltered air at any speed at my car no matter what the coating. The particles in the air are going to act like a sand blaster when they hit the paint. What is the big deal about taking the time to dry it the natural way. 130MPH blast down the highway.

Brosef · 12-11-2015, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgan302

Every time I read one of these it seems like it should be a joke. I can not see blowing unfiltered air at any speed at my car no matter what the coating. The particles in the air are going to act like a sand blaster when they hit the paint. What is the big deal about taking the time to dry it the natural way. 130MPH blast down the highway.

if the unit is clean, it's just the ambient air you're blowing. as you said, it's basically the same as driving the car down the road at 100+. it seems to me, that's comparatively better than the friction and potential scratching created by using a towel and touching the surface.

AYTifosi · 12-11-2015, 01:41 PM

I got the Metro Vac so i could get into the wheels. I hate washing only to have the disc rust coat them at the first stop.

The first time I used the blower, couldn't believe how much water came out of all the crevices in the car. I still use the towel and some detail spray, but the blower is awesome in helping finish the job!

12-07-2015, 10:48 AM	#1
Kief Major General 4440 Rep 5,733 Posts Drives: '24 iX50; '23 i4 M50 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika iTrader: (26)	Leaf Blower Drying After all these years of drying my cars with the flooding and microfiber/waffle weave method, I finally bought an electric leaf blower to try. I p/u an el'cheapo ($30) Toro from Lowes, but was not impressed--I probably was expecting more (I believe it is rated at 150mph). What speed/blower do you guys recommend? I'm not interested in a $XXX professional detailers unit. __________________ __________________ '24-I20 iX 50; '23-G26 i4 M50; '22-G82 M4Cx;20-G05 M50i; '20-F82 M4CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F85 X5M; '18-G01 X3M40i; '18-F80 M3ZCP; '17-F80 M3ZCP; '15-F15 X5; '15-F82 M4; '12-E92 335is; '11-E70 X5d; '11-E89 Z435is;'09-E89 Z435i; '08-E92 335i; '06-E90 330i; '05-E83 X3; '04-E83 X3; '03-E46 325Ci* *retired
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12-07-2015, 11:25 AM	#2
AlphaOmega4 Captain 433 Rep 914 Posts Drives: YMB M4 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: On The Beach In FL iTrader: (1)	I have a nice Electric Echo Blower... don't remember what MPH it is .. it does a fairly good job.. mind you the best way to use this is .. 1. sheet water off car with hose. 2. electric leaf blower // crevices/ nooks / glass and over all paint. 3. High end microfiber towel like one from the Carpro Microfiber Madness assortment and a quick detailer or hybrid spray wax like Aquawax or Meguiars ultimate quick wax to aid as a drying aid. Personally I have the car coated and it makes drying a Breeze* Highly recommend you put a Ceramic Coating on your car.. If not a Quality Sealant every 6 months is a good alternative. Unless you buy something really high end like a Metro Blaster you will still need to lightly dry the paint with a quality microfiber or waffle weave and a drying aid. Hope this helps __________________ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Last edited by AlphaOmega4; 12-08-2015 at 09:33 AM..
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12-07-2015, 11:47 AM	#3
te37 Major 545 Rep 1,132 Posts Drives: F80 SS/SO 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ATL iTrader: (3)	Im gonna go with the guy above me, i used a shop vac converted to a blower and dry my car that way. I have two hoses, one for drying and one for vacuuming. I have never scraped a dry towel/ microfiber across my car for years now.
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12-07-2015, 06:17 PM	#4
MaX PL Major 533 Rep 1,415 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	the trick for using a leaf blower is to also have a sealant on your car. leaf blower on an unprotected car is not impressive.
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12-07-2015, 06:38 PM	#6
AYTifosi Captain 442 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW F82 M4 [10.00]	Optimum Gloss Coat, Optimum no rinse wash/wax and a Metro Vac! Metro Vacuum SK-1 Air Force Blaster Sidekick Compact & Portable Motorcycle Dryer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQB24G..._5yIzwbSNRFGRY
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12-07-2015, 06:41 PM	#7
Xtabi Colonel 1702 Rep 2,127 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I have been using the leaf blower method for 1.5 years. It works perfectly. The secret is you need something like Sonax Polymer Netshield on it. The water flows right off! __________________ 2016 F80 \| MG/SO \| DCT \| Adaptive M Suspension \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| CF Roof \| CF Trim
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12-08-2015, 06:46 AM	#8
Kief Major General 4440 Rep 5,733 Posts Drives: '24 iX50; '23 i4 M50 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika iTrader: (26)	Thanks guys. Every week, depending on the weather, I wash and apply a sealant (I'm a Poorboy's EXP fan) due to my OCD, so the water does run off easily. I guess I was just expecting more. I still might exchange it for a more powerful one. __________________ __________________ '24-I20 iX 50; '23-G26 i4 M50; '22-G82 M4Cx;20-G05 M50i; '20-F82 M4CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F85 X5M; '18-G01 X3M40i; '18-F80 M3ZCP; '17-F80 M3ZCP; '15-F15 X5; '15-F82 M4; '12-E92 335is; '11-E70 X5d; '11-E89 Z435is;'09-E89 Z435i; '08-E92 335i; '06-E90 330i; '05-E83 X3; '04-E83 X3; '03-E46 325Ci* *retired
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12-08-2015, 08:12 AM	#11
Kief Major General 4440 Rep 5,733 Posts Drives: '24 iX50; '23 i4 M50 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika iTrader: (26)	When you guys mentioned Metro Vac, I thought you were referring to the Master Blaster for $500+. So that little motorcycle unit does the entire car or just the nooks and crannies? $75 isn't bad and it looks like it blows 205 mph __________________ __________________ '24-I20 iX 50; '23-G26 i4 M50; '22-G82 M4Cx;20-G05 M50i; '20-F82 M4CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F85 X5M; '18-G01 X3M40i; '18-F80 M3ZCP; '17-F80 M3ZCP; '15-F15 X5; '15-F82 M4; '12-E92 335is; '11-E70 X5d; '11-E89 Z435is;'09-E89 Z435i; '08-E92 335i; '06-E90 330i; '05-E83 X3; '04-E83 X3; '03-E46 325Ci* *retired
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12-08-2015, 09:21 AM	#12
RocketBoots Colonel 1860 Rep 2,104 Posts Drives: Horse Drawn Carriage Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (3)	I use a Stihl (gas) leaf blower. But I didn't buy it for the car, originally; I bought it for, well, blowing leaves Then, I found it drys the car real well. Having a good wax/sealant/coating does help a lot, in both the washing and drying. I'm not super picky about drying the car though, since I have the CRSpotless
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12-10-2015, 11:58 AM	#13
Brosef Brigadier General 876 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (4)	I've got one of these, which is an absolute beast. two stroke and 75 ccs, so it has more power than a lot of scooters. when looking at mph, don't be fooled by just looking at the mph. look at the volume of air the unit moves per minute (CFM - cubic feet per minute). it's easy to jack up the mph by using a thinner nozzle, but you can't fake CFM.
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12-10-2015, 12:24 PM	#14
Brosef Brigadier General 876 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (4)	here's your answer: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1188380
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12-11-2015, 08:17 AM	#17
morgan302 Second Lieutenant 91 Rep 299 Posts Drives: m3 2015 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Every time I read one of these it seems like it should be a joke. I can not see blowing unfiltered air at any speed at my car no matter what the coating. The particles in the air are going to act like a sand blaster when they hit the paint. What is the big deal about taking the time to dry it the natural way. 130MPH blast down the highway.
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12-11-2015, 01:41 PM	#19
AYTifosi Captain 442 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW F82 M4 [10.00]	I got the Metro Vac so i could get into the wheels. I hate washing only to have the disc rust coat them at the first stop. The first time I used the blower, couldn't believe how much water came out of all the crevices in the car. I still use the towel and some detail spray, but the blower is awesome in helping finish the job!
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