In one of my recent posts, I emphasized the importance of “safe drying” in car care and how it can make a huge difference in maintaining the condition of your car’s paintwork. If you haven’t read it yet, you can find the full post here. I discussed various dos and don’ts of drying your car, along with my recommended methods for achieving the best results without compromising on safety.

To give you a quick recap, here’s what NOT to use: 

• Cotton towels
• Water blades
• Air drying
• Chamois (shammy)

Instead, I highly recommend using a good quality, safe microfiber towel to get the job done effectively and safely.

After publishing the article, I started thinking about other alternative methods for safely drying a car. That’s when I remembered a suggestion from one of my friends – using a leaf blower to dry your car!

At first, it may sound silly and crazy, but it might not be as dumb as you think. In fact, it could be the safest way to dry your car quickly and effectively. So, let’s take a closer look and see how it works.

Are Leaf Blowers Safe to Use to dry car?

It’s a fact that any physical contact with your car’s paint increases the likelihood of scratches and swirls getting into the paintwork. This applies to whichever drying method you choose – even if you opt for the safest and fanciest microfiber towel, you are still in contact with the paint. Of course, using a microfiber towel is still the safest option in my opinion, but ideally, you should try to minimize how much contact you make to dry your car effectively.

Now, you might be thinking, why not just avoid touching the car altogether and let it dry on its own? While this may seem like the easiest option, it’s not a great strategy as it can lead to water spots and other issues that can compromise the car’s finish. In other words, you’re not doing yourself any favors by leaving the car to air dry.

So, what’s the solution to this problem? How can you dry your car quickly and safely with minimal effort while still achieving the best results?

LightBulb Moment – Use a leafblower to dry your car!

 

Why you should use Leaf Blower to Dry Your Car

Reduced physical contact:

As mentioned earlier, using a leaf blower eliminates the need for physical contact with your car’s paint. This reduces the risk of scratches, swirls, and other types of damage that can be caused by towels, chamois, or other drying tools.

Quick and efficient:

A leaf blower is an extremely efficient way to dry your car. It can quickly and easily blow away water droplets, leaving your car completely dry in a matter of minutes. This is especially useful if you’re short on time or need to dry your car quickly before heading out.

Safe for delicate areas:

Leaf blowers are powerful enough to dry your car quickly but gentle enough to use on delicate areas such as mirrors, grilles, and emblems without causing any damage. This is particularly important if you have a high-end or luxury car with delicate paintwork or custom detailing that requires extra care.

Reduces water spots:

When water is left to air dry on your car, it can leave unsightly water spots that are difficult to remove. Using a leaf blower eliminates this issue by ensuring that all water is removed before it has a chance to leave any water spots. This means your car will look its best and require less maintenance in the long run.

Versatile:

A leaf blower can be used to dry other parts of your car, such as wheels, tires, and undercarriage, making it a versatile tool for car care. You can also use it to blow away debris from your garage or driveway, making it a useful tool to have around the house.

Most people already have a leaf blower:

Many homeowners already have a leaf blower for yard use, making it a cost-effective and practical tool to use for drying your car.

This means you don’t need to invest in any additional tools or equipment.

What kind of Leaf Blower Can You Use On Your Car?

In general, you can use any type of leaf blower on your car, as long as it has adjustable speed and nozzle settings. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a leaf blower for car drying:

1. Power: You don’t necessarily need the most powerful leaf blower on the market to dry your car. In fact, a less powerful model may be better for delicate areas such as mirrors, grills, or emblems. Look for a model with adjustable speed settings so you can adjust the power as needed.
2. Size: Choose a size that is comfortable for you to use and maneuver around your car. Some models are more compact and lightweight, which can be useful for getting into tight spaces or reaching high areas.
3. Noise: Leaf blowers can be quite loud, so consider the noise level when choosing a model. If you live in a residential area or have close neighbors, you may want to opt for a quieter model to avoid disturbing others.
4. Corded vs. Cordless: Cordless leaf blowers offer more freedom of movement and don’t require an electrical outlet. However, they may not be as powerful as corded models and require regular charging. Corded models are typically more powerful but require an electrical outlet and may have a limited range.
5. Brand and Price: Consider the brand and price when choosing a leaf blower for car drying. Look for reputable brands with good customer reviews and a track record of quality products. While more expensive models may offer more features or higher quality, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank to find a leaf blower that will work well for car drying.

Best Leaf Blowers For Drying You Car

Greenworks 24012

• It has a variable speed motor for adjustable air speed, which is important to avoid damaging the paintwork.
• The leaf blower is lightweight and portable, making it easy to maneuver and store.
• It’s electric powered, meaning it’s quieter and emits no harmful fumes.
• The Greenworks brand is well-known and respected for producing high-quality, eco-friendly products.

Check It out in detail HERE

 WESCO 40V Max Cordless Leaf Blower

• Efficient Drying: With a powerful motor, the WESCO 40V Max Cordless Leaf Blower can quickly and easily blow away water droplets from your car’s exterior, saving you time and effort.
• Quick and Easy to Use: Being cordless, this leaf blower offers great portability and ease of use. It is also lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and maneuver around your car.
• Versatile: The WESCO 40V Max Cordless Leaf Blower is not just for drying cars. You can use it to blow away leaves and debris from your driveway, patio, or other outdoor areas.
• Eco-Friendly: As it is battery-powered, this leaf blower produces no harmful emissions, making it an environmentally friendly option compared to gas-powered alternatives
• Lightweight: The WESCO 40V Max Cordless Leaf Blower is designed to be lightweight, making it easy to carry and maneuver around your car. It won’t cause strain on your arms, shoulders or back.
• Quiet Operation: The leaf blower operates quietly, making it an ideal tool to use in residential areas where loud noises may disturb your neighbors. You can use it without worrying about disturbing anyone.

Check It out in detail HERE

 

BLACK+DECKER LSW221

• Efficient Drying: The BLACK+DECKER LSW221 is designed to deliver high-powered air blasts, making it efficient at quickly drying your car after washing.
• Lightweight and Compact: The LSW221 is designed to be lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle and maneuver around your car. Its compact design also makes it easy to store in your garage or tool shed.
• Cordless Convenience: The LSW221 is cordless, which means you can use it anywhere without worrying about finding an outlet or getting tangled up in cords.
• Eco-Friendly: The LSW221 is battery-powered and produces no harmful emissions, making it an environmentally friendly option.
• Versatile: The LSW221 can be used for other outdoor cleaning tasks such as removing leaves and debris from driveways, walkways, and patios.
• Noise Level: The LSW221 operates quietly, making it an ideal tool for use in residential areas without causing a disturbance.
• Affordability: Compared to other leaf blowers, the LSW221 is relatively affordable while still providing reliable performance, making it a great option for those on a budget.

Check It out in detail HERE

 

 

Are There Any Downsides To Using A Leaf Blower On Your Car?

Leaf blowers are a great option for drying your car after washing, especially if you already own one. However, before you start using your leaf blower on your car, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.

First and foremost, it is crucial to ensure that the leaf blower you plan to use has an air filter installed. This will prevent any dust or debris from being blown onto your car’s surface, which is the last thing you want after spending time washing and cleaning your car. Using a blower without an air filter can defeat the purpose of drying your car and potentially cause damage to the paintwork.

Another point to consider is the noise level of your leaf blower. Some models can be quite loud, so be sure to check the decibel level and avoid using it at early or late hours to avoid upsetting your neighbors. It’s important to be mindful of the noise level and respect those around you.

Additionally, it’s important to note that leaf blowers are not always easy to control when it comes to the direction of the airflow. As such, you need to be extra careful when drying your car to avoid blowing dirt and debris onto the surface of the car. It’s best to start with a low airflow setting and gradually increase the speed while ensuring the air is being directed upwards and away from the car’s surface

This is why I always recommend that if you do not own a leaf blower already, your best bet is investing in a dedicated car dryer/blower

Purpose-built Blowers Are a Better Option For Drying Your Car

Now, if you don’t already own a leaf blower, and are looking to try out this type of drying method, it may be a better option to look into a purpose-built car drying blower. These types of blowers will usually be more suited to the task and won’t create some of the potential problems I have listed above.

 

Car Drying blowers that are purpose-built for this task, They concentrate the airflow to allow more directional control of the moving air. They come with different nozzles for use in different areas of the car which is often a nice feature.

They are a lot more manoeuvrable around the car. Also, another nice feature of purpose-built blowers is that Most of them have heaters to warm the air to aid in drying.

A dedicated blower will ensure you’re not blowing out dirt and debris onto the car. Imagine how annoyed you would be if this happened right after you just spent ages washing it! One of the main drawbacks of these purpose-built car blowers is their cost.

However, many may feel that they are worth that extra bit of money over normal leaf blowers which were never really intended for use on a vehicle. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the options that are currently available.

Best Car Dryer Blowers

1)Chemical Guys JetSpeed VX6 Professional Surface Air Dryer and Blower

Chemical guys here again with another great product. The JetSpeed blower specifically designed with the detailing professional in mind. This little machine packs some serious power. The JetSpeed not only blows, but it also sucks air too, making it great for the interior as well exterior. It comes with a directional airflow attachment and a dust bag so you can keep track of the contamination you suck up. When you are done, just detach the dust bag and empty it in the nearest trash can.

More Info here

My notes :

+ Pretty Inexpensive compared to other dedicated car blowers

+ Useful for interior as well as exterior

– A bit small compared to other car driers

Specifications:

• Voltage: 120 V
• Frequency: 60 HZ
• Input: 600 W
• Blower Rating: 92.4 CBF/min
• Speed: 0-12,000 RPM
• Weight: 3.5 Lbs

Metro Air Force Master Blaster Revolution

The master blaster is definitely in the more serious category of car dryers, and you will pay a premium for it. But if you are looking for the best of the best, this would be a good place to start. This beast features two twin fan, 4.0 Peak Horse Power Motors capable of delivering up to 58,000 feet per minute of clean, warm, dry, filtered air. It may be overkill for some, but if you want to treat yourself or your pride and joy, this would be the one to go for.

More info here

My notes :

– Might be a bit expensive for some

+ Best of the Best when it comes to car dryers

+ Professional grade

 

McKee’s 37 Turbo Car Dryer

This is rated as another of the best car dryers available. I would highly recommend you consider the McKee’s 37 Turbo Car Dryer. The performance offers for the price can’t be beaten. Also, it’s so easy and convenient to use. The 6.5HP motor is adequate and effective in drying paint in different conditions. The Performance to Price Ratio on this is pretty damn good.

More info Here

My notes :

+  Great Performance

+  Easy to Man-oeuvre ( Comes with shoulder strap )

+  Not too expensive compared to the Master Blaster

 

How To Dry Your Car With A Blower

1. Position the blower: Move the car to a shaded area, away from direct sunlight, and position the blower nearby. Choose a spot where you can easily move around the car without having to reposition the blower too much. This will save time and make the process more efficient. Make sure that the blower is plugged in or charged and that the appropriate nozzle is attached.
2. Turn on the blower: Turn on the blower and start from the top of the car, working your way down. Hold the blower nozzle a few inches away from the car’s surface and use a gentle, sweeping motion to blow the water off the surface of the car. Begin at the roof, and move down to the windows, hood, trunk, and doors.
3. Dry crevices: Use the blower to dry crevices and hard-to-reach areas like door jambs, emblems, and grilles. The force of the air will push the water out of these areas, leaving them dry and spot-free. Pay special attention to areas where water tends to accumulate, such as around the side mirrors, door handles, and in the creases between body panels.
4. Adjust speed and angle: Adjust the speed and angle of the blower as needed to achieve the desired results. Most blowers have adjustable speed settings and different nozzle attachments to provide different levels of power. If you encounter a particularly stubborn water droplet, you may need to increase the speed or adjust the angle of the nozzle to blow it away.
5. Dry remaining water droplets: Use a clean microfiber towel to dry any remaining water droplets, paying special attention to areas that may be missed by the blower. Use a soft, high-quality microfiber towel to gently wipe away any water droplets that remain on the car’s surface. This will help to prevent water spots and leave the car with a clean, streak-free finish.
6. Finish with a wax or sealant/coating: Apply a protective wax or sealant to help maintain the car’s finish. Once the car is completely dry, apply a high-quality wax or sealant to protect the paint and prevent dirt and grime from sticking to the surface. This will help to maintain the car’s shine and make future wash and dry easier.

Final Thoughts – Are car blowers worth it?

Buying a dedicated car dryer is certainly an indulgence and not an absolute necessity. It will help make the drying process safer and speed up your whole car cleaning routine. if you have a leaf blower or pet dryer at home, I would say try using this first before you go spending money on one of the above, you may find that you don’t like drying your car this way. If so, you should stick to the trusty Microfiber towel method, as this will do well in 95% of scenarios.

As always, I would be interested to hear your experiences if you have tried these methods above, and if so what products or tools do you recommend? Have any other tricks for drying your car safely, leave some comments.

Dont forget you can check out the DriveDetailed Store for all your detailing product needs.

As always

Happy Detailing!

About the Author – Darren O Hara

Darren is the founder of the DriveDetailed blog and is a keen detailing enthusiast living in the rainy south of Ireland. When he is not cleaning his car he is always researching ways he can improve his techniques and enjoys testing out out new products.

Darren currently drives an Audi TTRS and is a big fan of performance cars.

You can follow Darren on Instagram @darrenoharacork

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