I Give My Car A Blow, After Washing...
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta., GA
S320
I Give My Car A Blow, After Washing...
For over 10 years, after washing my car I use a leaf blower to blow all the water off my car. Electric {or Gas} hand held leaf blower is what I use after washing to "blow dry" my car. I've never seen anyone else do it. It works GREAT and dries the car spotless in just a few minutes. All water is blown out of every nook, cranny,seam and trim piece. Window's blow dry spotless.
I start on the top blowing the water to the front or back and do window's next then the hood and trunk then the body sides, front and back. Nothing but air touches the car. No rubbing, wiping scratches etc. If you want to use a Baja Squeegee first it goes even quicker. I have never bumped the car with the blower nozzle but if your are afraid you might, cut the toe end off an old sock and roll up and put on the end of your blower to protect.
Anyone else ever done this? Below is picture of what I use, Toro $49 or Weed-eater.
Quick reply to below: {Glad to hear others do it. I've never blown dirt onto my car, I do have a cement driveway and the blower is always about 3 feet above the ground. I guess it would be about the same as driving down the road as far as blowing dirt. But nothing like getting a sand grain in your chamois
}
I start on the top blowing the water to the front or back and do window's next then the hood and trunk then the body sides, front and back. Nothing but air touches the car. No rubbing, wiping scratches etc. If you want to use a Baja Squeegee first it goes even quicker. I have never bumped the car with the blower nozzle but if your are afraid you might, cut the toe end off an old sock and roll up and put on the end of your blower to protect.
Anyone else ever done this? Below is picture of what I use, Toro $49 or Weed-eater.
Quick reply to below: {Glad to hear others do it. I've never blown dirt onto my car, I do have a cement driveway and the blower is always about 3 feet above the ground. I guess it would be about the same as driving down the road as far as blowing dirt. But nothing like getting a sand grain in your chamois
}
Last edited by EdS320; Feb 5, 2003 at 12:26 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
Actually, leaf blowing is *fairly* popular over at autopia.org. I've done it a few times, but I prefer sheeting most of the water off without a nozzle on the hose then blot drying with a couple of waffle-weave MF towels.
About the only danger I can see with a leaf blow is blowing dust/dirt and having it blow onto the paint at a fairly high speed. That could cause scratches. Oh yeah, and all your neighbors will probably laugh at you with a leaf blow drying the car :p
About the only danger I can see with a leaf blow is blowing dust/dirt and having it blow onto the paint at a fairly high speed. That could cause scratches. Oh yeah, and all your neighbors will probably laugh at you with a leaf blow drying the car :p
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,110
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
MB
Re: I Give My Car A Blow, After Washing...
Originally posted by EdS320
For over 10 years, after washing my car I use a leaf blower to blow all the water off my car. Electric {or Gas} hand held leaf blower is what I use after washing to "blow dry" my car. I've never seen anyone else do it. It works GREAT and dries the car spotless in just a few minutes. All water is blown out of every nook, cranny,seam and trim piece. Window's blow dry spotless.
I start on the top blowing the water to the front or back and do window's next then the hood and trunk then the body sides, front and back. Nothing but air touches the car. No rubbing, wiping scratches etc. If you want to use a Baja Squeegee first it goes even quicker. I have never bumped the car with the blower nozzle but if your are afraid you might, cut the toe end off an old sock and roll up and put on the end of your blower to protect.
Anyone else ever done this? Below is picture of what I use, Toro $49 or Weed-eater.
Quick reply to below: {Glad to hear others do it. I've never blown dirt onto my car, I do have a cement driveway and the blower is always about 3 feet above the ground. I guess it would be about the same as driving down the road as far as blowing dirt. But nothing like getting a sand grain in your chamois}
For over 10 years, after washing my car I use a leaf blower to blow all the water off my car. Electric {or Gas} hand held leaf blower is what I use after washing to "blow dry" my car. I've never seen anyone else do it. It works GREAT and dries the car spotless in just a few minutes. All water is blown out of every nook, cranny,seam and trim piece. Window's blow dry spotless.
I start on the top blowing the water to the front or back and do window's next then the hood and trunk then the body sides, front and back. Nothing but air touches the car. No rubbing, wiping scratches etc. If you want to use a Baja Squeegee first it goes even quicker. I have never bumped the car with the blower nozzle but if your are afraid you might, cut the toe end off an old sock and roll up and put on the end of your blower to protect.
Anyone else ever done this? Below is picture of what I use, Toro $49 or Weed-eater.
Quick reply to below: {Glad to hear others do it. I've never blown dirt onto my car, I do have a cement driveway and the blower is always about 3 feet above the ground. I guess it would be about the same as driving down the road as far as blowing dirt. But nothing like getting a sand grain in your chamois
}
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
E320
I've tried it and ended up not liking the results so I returned the blower. Here were my gripes:
1) Blew lots of dust onto the car. Maybe the floor was dirty and I needed to wet it first.
2) Water would just dry on the car as I'm blowing and leave water marks.
How do you guys get around the above?
1) Blew lots of dust onto the car. Maybe the floor was dirty and I needed to wet it first.
2) Water would just dry on the car as I'm blowing and leave water marks.
How do you guys get around the above?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
Oggle, I pretty much experienced the same results (on black, so you could see everything). I got a few scratches as well (this was before I polished out the car). Soooo, I just switched to waffle MFs and the sheeting action. Life is good now. 
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 488
Likes: 1
C250 Coupe 2012
On the C230 coupe there a lot of little places for water to sit. I dry the car and then use the blower to get the rest and dry off the rest, works great and keeps the water from running later and leaving marks.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
You know, I have never even thought of that. But the other day I was driving around and saw a man drying his Aston Martin with one. I was so excited to go home and try it......though I didn't yet
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Manila, Philippines
Works great if your car is well sealed, usually works better with sealant treated surfaces wherein the water sheets away instead of beads... but it takes too much effort sometimes and you'll be better off blotting the water puddles on flat surfaces instead of blowing it off...
Indispensable for cracks, crevices, side mirror and molding gaps, etc...
Indispensable for cracks, crevices, side mirror and molding gaps, etc...
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: SW MO
2002 C230K SC
I thought I was the only guy doing this, I got the idea from a Corvette care site and they got it from Motorweek on PBS. I like the way it works, I remove the extension nozzle and use the base unit only. Oh...in the fall it works great on leaves too.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,403
Likes: 21
From: South Florida
Fast Cars!
i thought i was the only one using a leaf blower on my car to!
i use it at least 3 times a week when i was my cars. its great. for the people saying it drys the car to much are just doing it to long. all you have to do is let the blower blow by the water for about 2 seconds and then dont go back. if u are using it to completly get all the water off it will leave marks at least on a black car. even if u dont do it all the way but do it to much it will still leave some water marks and when u get a chance to dry the car it will already be dry. i only use it a lilttle bit, then dry the car with a towel.
i use it at least 3 times a week when i was my cars. its great. for the people saying it drys the car to much are just doing it to long. all you have to do is let the blower blow by the water for about 2 seconds and then dont go back. if u are using it to completly get all the water off it will leave marks at least on a black car. even if u dont do it all the way but do it to much it will still leave some water marks and when u get a chance to dry the car it will already be dry. i only use it a lilttle bit, then dry the car with a towel.
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
2001 E-430 4-Matic
Blow Drying
I use my 2-stroke gas leaf blower to dry off the car after washing it during the winter. It beats driving around the block at 80 mph!!
In warmer weather I just towel it dry with cotton towels.
In warmer weather I just towel it dry with cotton towels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
E320
Re: Blow Drying
Originally posted by livetodrive
I use my 2-stroke gas leaf blower to dry off the car after washing it during the winter. It beats driving around the block at 80 mph!!
In warmer weather I just towel it dry with cotton towels.
I use my 2-stroke gas leaf blower to dry off the car after washing it during the winter. It beats driving around the block at 80 mph!!
In warmer weather I just towel it dry with cotton towels.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta., GA
S320
Quote:
"I wouldn't recommend using a gas leaf blower as gasoline mist from the blower can end up getting on your car."
Gasoline mist? Gas leaf blowers do not blow gasoline mist...flame throwers do! Worst you get is stinky fumes. It's no worse than following a diesel car on the road! The little engine exhaust blows out the side of the engine, not the blower nozzle. I've used both with excellent results.
"I wouldn't recommend using a gas leaf blower as gasoline mist from the blower can end up getting on your car."
Gasoline mist? Gas leaf blowers do not blow gasoline mist...flame throwers do! Worst you get is stinky fumes. It's no worse than following a diesel car on the road! The little engine exhaust blows out the side of the engine, not the blower nozzle. I've used both with excellent results.
