do you wipe down afterwards?

 

SHAMWOW!! LOL

 

Thanks for all the ideas guys. Ended up ordering some Cobra waffle weave microfiber towels from autogeek.net. Will let you all know how they work out. I've got a water blade too, somewhere in my basement. Maybe I'll dig it out and give it a try, since some of you guys seem to like it so much.

 

Looks like you made up your mind. But just in case...

Leaf Blower - This is clearly common and professional detailers use it for sure. You will want to be sure to use an electric one. If you care enough to wash your car and make sure its perfect, the gas version will blow of residue during use that could deposit on your newly cleaned car.

Water Blade - I would NOT recommend using this. And I dont know any pro detailer who would. No matter how confident you are with your skills or the blade, there is a large potential to cause scratches. Think about it...If anything falls onto your car after you wash it and you use a tight pressed blade to squeeze water off you could very easily catch some debris and then drag it against the paint. If you are trying to minimize potential, this is not how to do it.

Drying Towel Options - Long gone are the days of using a real chamois. They are animal hide and dont last that long, plus you can do better easily. Like using a synthetic chamois. Though even this can easily be beat. Dont use a house towel, they are not designed to dry paint and clear coat. Your best bet is a waffle weave microfiber towel. Its plush enough to suck up small debris and not let is just scratch over the surface. I get all of my stuff from www.detailersdomain.com. I am not affiliated with them at all, but their products are always top notch. If nothing else, read their write up about their drying towel http://www.detailersdomain.com/Adams...wel_p_510.html

Hope that helps.

 

Just tried an electric leaf blower for the first time yesterday. Wow. Only needed a tiny bit of cleanup with a waffle-weave, and then little microfiber rags for nooks and crannies. I'd say drying took about 1/10 as long as it usually does, with far superior results, too.

 

Can anyone recommend the best electric leaf blower for this application?

 

Been using a real chamois and figured a blade would scratch the paint more. Now I think the chamois probably has as much chance of scratching it as a blade!

Thinking about a leaf blower. Got one of those little Griot's car vacs, but it isn't powerful enough for the job - even though that's the way it is advertised. So, don't buy that one thinking it is dual purpose.

 

I'm sold on the electric leaf blower, I see some on home depot for $30, need some recommendations.

 

I have a Toro model, cost about $70 at HD. A cheaper one may work for drying car but I have a 1 acre parcel loaded with oak trees and I use mine for decks, carport, driveway, gutters.. Dries it very quickly. Quick wipe with towel and a quick wax with detailer, looks new again.

 

I can across this the other day. http://www.purewaterproducts.com/gardenhosefilters.htm Might be a cheaper option then some of the other filters out there.

 

I've had my Toro electric leaf blower for many years, and I can highly recommend it. It's been trouble free, and is pretty powerful too.

I just hate all that noise, so I hardly use it now.

 

I bought mine from Home Depot specifically for drying my car (and only used it for yard stuff afterwards LOL), love it, just get one that has a 200mph rating and it should be fine. And for those who don't like the noise, like others have recommended, just put on some earplugs/muffs. The time saved drying with a leaf blower is totally worth the minor inconvenience of putting on some earplugs!

And watching all those water drops fly off effortlessly is really gratifying...

 

Thanks! I have a gas one but I don't think I am going to use that one. I also have an electric one that my wife won from work, just remember that, I'll see how that one works out before I go out and buy a 3rd one.

 

I see one from Craftsman for about $60, which also bags leaves and has good reviews. Think I might pick that one up, especially since it has potential dual purpose.

 

Here is my setup for washing and drying at home. Takes less than 20 Mins. Check out Foam Lance on Youtube its pretty amazing!

Powerworks 51102 1700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer 1.4GPM with Quiet Induction Motor

Professional Foam Lance Adjustable with 32 oz. Bottle

Chemical Guys (CWS_101) Maxi Suds II Superior Surface Shampoo - 1 Gallon

Griot's Garage 11117 Micro Fiber Drying Towel