Well I just gave "RUBY" her first wash and dry. There sure is a lot of nooks and cranny's detail. I am an old man (65) and certainly not a novice to car care, but I was a nervous wreck from start to finish (how silly). I didn't want to cause swirl or rag drag scratches in the finish. I used car wash soap, cleaned the bucket several times before I started and used new Micro Fiber towels to wash and dry (I blew most of the water off with my leaf blower). Great results..still looks untouched. What will I do in the winter months? hmmmm, leave it under cover in the garage I guess.

 

I also use the leaf blower method. That's pretty much why I got the leaf blower. I don't use it for anything else, certainly not leaves. I have sons to rake them for me.

 

elk, I can't believe I haven't thought about using a leaf blower. I guess folks are correct when they say that your never to old (59) to learn. Dayum, I feel kinda dumb.....

 

I put some pantyhose around the intake side of the leaf blower to keep the big stuff out of the thing. Insurance if you want to call it that I guess. Wouldn't want to make a sand blaster out of a leaf blower now would we?

 

The leaf blower is pretty much imperative if you're driving a Ford. I don't how they manage to put together cars with sooooo many places the water gets stuck. I don't use it to dry the car as much as to blow the water out from behind the mirrors, gas door, grille, side lights, etc. etc. My 2010 Taurus probably had more 'drip' points than any car ever built.

 

A shop-vac in reverse also works well. The benefit is the air is already filtered.

 

I like to use my 25 gallon electric air compressor. Does the job right everytime and no pollution .

 

You didn't use this before? Lol... My leaf blowers only purpose in life is for drying

After rinsing via sheet method, blow dry, then detailed spray then buff to a shine.

 

Using a leaf blower is just asking for trouble. An air compressor is the way to go - with a rubber tip on the nozzle just in case.

 

No trouble here... Doing it for 10 years. But air compressor good too.

 

Agreed. Some leaf blowers route the exhaust into the air flow, which wouldn't be good if you're using it to dry your car....

 

Not if it's electric. I have the $30 Weed Eater one. Works great every time. I do need a power inverter for the car so I can use the Metro Data Vac Pro I just got when I go to the carwash before I drive back to the Casa. Ideas.

 

Leaf blower here too - mostly for the grill, the nooks and crannies in the back, and the wheels and tires. It helps dry the tires so I can use tire dressing on them. I use stuff from Griot's Garage - leaves the tires looking good without a shine.

 

I use a Toro electric leaf blower that was bought for the sole purpose of drying my GT.

I use a two bucket (grit guards in both) method for washing. Because I'm short I've also purchased a work platform so I can reach the roof easily.

 

Same with me... electric Toro. No issues. Been detailing cars professionally for years (on the side), including Porsches, etc. My Toro has been my sidekick.

IMO, any tool can be good or bad, depends on the user.

 

Very true!