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Old 07-06-2020, 05:01 PM   #1
caSStro18
 
Drives: 2018 Camaro SS
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Car Drying Blower

Do any of you use one of those car blowers to dry your cars after a wash? I'm trying to find a way to dry my car without using towels. I don't like the little micro scratches I get in the clear coat. I looked into deionized water systems, but they seem expensive when you factor in the cost of replacement filters.
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Old 07-06-2020, 05:16 PM   #2
GOMD
 
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I previously used a dedicated car dryer, but recently I have just been using my cordless leaf blower to get most of the water out of the trouble spots, and finish drying with a quality microfiber towel.

If everything is done correctly, you shouldn't get any scratches.
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Old 07-06-2020, 05:29 PM   #3
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Now that I think about it, I wonder if the scratches are coming from the wash mitt I use instead of the drying towel. That would make more sense right? But, how do I get away from using a mitt to clean it?
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Old 07-06-2020, 06:45 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caSStro18 View Post
Now that I think about it, I wonder if the scratches are coming from the wash mitt I use instead of the drying towel. That would make more sense right? But, how do I get away from using a mitt to clean it?
Foam cannon, my man.
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Old 07-06-2020, 08:36 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caSStro18 View Post
Do any of you use one of those car blowers to dry your cars after a wash? I'm trying to find a way to dry my car without using towels. I don't like the little micro scratches I get in the clear coat. I looked into deionized water systems, but they seem expensive when you factor in the cost of replacement filters.

First of all, Camaro paint swirls when you blow on it. Its ridiculous. If you can't stand swirls, buy a polisher and learn to polish paint. There are plenty of threads on here about that.



I use a Harbor Freight 120V AC leaf blower. Drag your towel across the surface like a matador rather than "scrubbing."



I only use towels made in Korea, 70/30% from theragcompany.com


Check every towel and mitt before use for bits of grass or twigs. Wash your towels with cold water , microfiber detergent and use white vinegar in the fabric softener bin. Dry them on low with no fabric softener.
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Old 07-06-2020, 10:07 PM   #6
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I just bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pro: Super small and light. Blows good.(tried it on a mopped floor last night)

Cons: Looks like it's one step above Fisher-Price tools

It did have a lot of good reviews though.
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Old 07-06-2020, 10:26 PM   #7
caSStro18
 
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Foam cannon, my man.
I use a foam cannon. Should I not then be going over it with a mitt? Maybe that's what I'm doing wrong. Should I just foam it, let it sit for a while and then use my power washer to rinse?
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Old 07-06-2020, 10:27 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by 95 imp View Post
I just bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pro: Super small and light. Blows good.(tried it on a mopped floor last night)

Cons: Looks like it's one step above Fisher-Price tools

It did have a lot of good reviews though.
That's kinda cool. I could also use it to blow off the saw dust from my tools when I'm done working on a project.
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Old 07-06-2020, 10:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caSStro18 View Post
Now that I think about it, I wonder if the scratches are coming from the wash mitt I use instead of the drying towel. That would make more sense right? But, how do I get away from using a mitt to clean it?
I always use a foam cannon with a pressure washer, and then still wash the car with a mitt. I also use the 2 bucket method, with grit guards in each bucket.

In my experience, you'll never truly get the car clean just foaming and rinsing with the pressure washer.

I have also never polished my paint, or done any paint correction, and to my untrained eye it is in pretty decent shape after 3 years of ownership.

I think you just need to invest in decent mitts, and towels, and then try to follow a few good practices while washing.
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Old 07-07-2020, 05:41 AM   #10
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We offer a couple blowers for drying your car, mush faster & safer than drying by hand.

https://adamspolishes.com/collection...r-cannon-dryer

https://adamspolishes.com/collection...-air-cannon-jr
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Old 07-07-2020, 06:53 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caSStro18 View Post
I use a foam cannon. Should I not then be going over it with a mitt? Maybe that's what I'm doing wrong. Should I just foam it, let it sit for a while and then use my power washer to rinse?
Most of the time foam cannon followed by pressure washer (with appropriate tip) to rinse will be fine, especially if you are ceramic coated. At that point you could follow up with a hand wash if needed, but by doing the touch less wash first you will have removed the vast majority of dirt that could induce a swirl mark IMO.

I use my new Milwaukee M18 cordless blower to remove virtually all the water then a fluffy Griots microfiber drying towel as follow up as needed.
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Old 07-13-2020, 01:04 AM   #12
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I washed the car for the first time.
Here is an update to the Kimo Blower:

Pro:
Light weight
low cost
compact
Claim it can be used as a vacuum
Good pressure
Battery operated (battery and charger inc)
carrying case

Con:
Low air volume (gets the job done)
Battery just barely makes getting the car done
Edit: Now that the battery is broken in, it lasts more than long enough.
I use this one if I go to a car wash.

I bought a corded one from HD https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Pow...1624/304083248

This works great! Actually too good. I've accidently directed it towards the ground and ended up blowing dirt/leaves back on the car and had to rewash it. It does have a knob to adjust air volume.

Hope it helps.
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Last edited by 95 imp; 09-08-2020 at 06:53 AM.
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Old 07-13-2020, 02:43 AM   #13
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I prefer using a microfiber towel when doing car washing at home and then I just leave it outside until it is fully dry.
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Old 07-13-2020, 04:25 AM   #14
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Leaf blower. Cheaper and way more air

Last edited by Timbo-1LE; 07-20-2020 at 04:35 AM.
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