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      08-23-2010, 02:27 AM   #1
mr_z4mc1m_oz
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Touch free car drying

I have a non-metallic red 1 series and it just seems to scratch so easily. I use the 2 bucket wash method, make sure my sponge is clean and waffle drying towel but it still scratches.

So I was thinking what is that spray gun detailers use to wash the car (can this be fixed to a normal garden hose) and is there some kind of blower/drier I can buy to dry it without having to rub a towel over the paint work.

The less I touch the car the better!!!

Thanks
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      08-23-2010, 04:43 AM   #2
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Hey mate,

Grab a Karcher - can get them from Bunnings on the cheap. I wouldn't cheap out too much though, i suggest going for a mid-range model and getting the detergent nozzle attachment.

That way, you use the hose to loosen up the road dirt/brake dust, the nozzle then attaches to 'foam' the car, then use an MF mitt to take dirt off and budge bug marks. Then take the nozzle off to remove the foam, and completely rinse the car.

Then, Microfibre the car dry (usually I use 2-3 to dry the car well), making sure not to get any dirt on the car.

Then proceed with your prep, glaze & seal and wax (synth or Carnauba - your choice) to protect the paintwork.
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      08-23-2010, 05:33 AM   #3
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Firstly - ditch the sponge. Get a lambswool or similar mitt. They draw dirt into the pile, whereas with a sponge the dirt just remains on the surface of the sponge.

The spray gun detailers use is this:
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...now_foam_lance
I have this exact one, but sourced directly from the UK for less than price offered here.
Important to hose off car at least once before actually putting any mitt up against the paintwork - so think of it as a more effective pre-rinse wash.

When drying, you can minimise effort by partly blow-drying the car with a leaf blower. Make sure the blower doesn't touch the paint. Then you can also use lube (either a quick detailer spray or something like Optimum Car Wax) whilst towel drying. The superfine droplets left behind will dry without a trace in a few secs.

After that, scratches will just naturally occur if the paint is touched during daily use. But since these cars are designed to be driven and enjoyed everyday, that is a small price worth paying even if you enjoy a nicely detailed car.
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      08-23-2010, 06:50 AM   #4
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When I had black cars I would always use a leaf blower to dry. Now I use a chamois as my car is space gray and is leased.
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      08-23-2010, 07:03 AM   #5
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Leaf blower has been working well for me too. I have a variable speed one that you can take the 'nozzle' off so it's much easier to handle for drying a car.

If I had a pressure washer I think I could get away with just that and the leaf blower for some washes, and not even need to touch the car. Even if not, like Taymaishu said the amount of foam they can lay down is incredible.
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      08-23-2010, 05:55 PM   #6
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Thanks guys, I think I'll look in to getting a foam lancer and a leaf blower. Going to a detailing workshop this saturday to learn how to use my machine polisher etc.

Hopefully I'll pick up some other tips there.

Cheers
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      08-23-2010, 06:48 PM   #7
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I use a leaf blower and follow it up with a micro fibre drying towel. I barely have to use the towel after the leaf blower so it has been a good choice. I am not a fan of pressure washers. I have a Karcher elelctric with the soap tank and I used to use it. One of my coworkers also swore by his pressure washer. Then he noticed his hood on his Porsche Boxster started to look a little sand blasted. He was always very careful and rinsed it off first, then did a soak with the soap and then did the high pressure washing. He took it to a body shop and had to get the hood and two quarter panels painted. The guy at the body shop looked at his hood for less then a minutes and said "you have been pressure washing this car". He figures just a little road dirt or sand is on the paint and you push it intot he paint under high pressure...hense it loks like you sand blasted it. The guy at the body shop said he sees this several times a year. Alsways people with nice cars trying to keep the paint swirl free and they screw it up with a pressure washer. BE CAREFUL!!!! My Friend is a very particular car guy and keeps his car in great shape. He swears he was ultra careful but he still screwed up his paint.
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      08-23-2010, 09:39 PM   #8
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I use a leaf blower too!
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      08-24-2010, 02:40 PM   #9
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I purchaced a Metro MasterBlaster 8hp INDUSTRIAL DRYER BLOWER and it works great.
It has two speed to dry your car with. A blower also gets all the water out of your mirrors and lights so you have less water dripping.
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      08-24-2010, 02:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbvan View Post
I purchaced a Metro MasterBlaster 8hp INDUSTRIAL DRYER BLOWER and it works great.
It has two speed to dry your car with. A blower also gets all the water out of your mirrors and lights so you have less water dripping.
What are the benefits of the Metro MasterBlaster ($300), when you can get a leaf blower for like 100-150?
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      08-24-2010, 07:44 PM   #11
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i just cant seem to master the leaf blower technique. any pointers? im pretty sure mine is rated 130 or 150 mph.
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      08-24-2010, 08:49 PM   #12
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I have a leaf blower too. They work good but the Metro blaster has way more power.
You also have a long hose with a few attachments on it. With the hose I can dry my roof with out fear of scratching anything. I know the metro is kind of pricey but I feel it is worth the extra cash.
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      08-24-2010, 10:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AntonV View Post
i just cant seem to master the leaf blower technique. any pointers? im pretty sure mine is rated 130 or 150 mph.
I have a gas powered Stihl leaf blower and it works fine. I start at the roof and blow the water downwards. After the roof, I work on the side with the blower held up high and I blow downwards. Then the water drops move down the door and off the car. If you try and blow sideways (seems to be the way I tried the first few times...doesn't work as well) the water gets moved around but not off the paint. I usually do 2 passes over the car and then I get out my good microfibre drying towels. I don't wipe down the whole car! I just have some drops of water in a few spots that I have to get off. The blower gets the water off the mirrors, door sills, wheels and trunk opening so you don't get the water running down the car as soon as you drive your car down the street.
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      08-29-2010, 09:27 PM   #14
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I also have the Metro 8hp and absolutely love it. I tried the Stihl Leaveblower idea few times but it's quite bulky not to mention it's blowing unburnt fuel and oil all over my car since its a two stroke.
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      08-29-2010, 09:52 PM   #15
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I use a leaf blower. Takes longer but has better results!
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      08-30-2010, 01:02 AM   #16
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I have the metro 4hp unit, works wonderfully. Only cost $125 I think maybe even less. Very light n easy to carry, may take a little longer than a big ass leaf blower but actually puts out more air from a smaller nozzle which def gets the water out of the cracks, etc. more effectively.
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      09-22-2012, 07:23 PM   #17
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most leaf blowers dont have a filter for the air they are blowing......in addition to the other things mentioned, thats why the metro is better too. in fact i dont know how good a leaf blower is without a filter - esp outside or in a dirty/dusty area
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