Best Cordless Leaf Blower - For Car Drying

[bikerneil]

I am looking for the very best cordless leaf blower, to be used for drying my car after I wash it. I want: high power, focused air nozzle, and an air tube that's not too long.

I'm leaning toward one of the EGO 650 CFM models, but I'm wondering if others have already done the research and found one particular brand or model to be the very best for this particular application.

I'm willing to give up battery life for some other attributes as I am only drying one car at a time. I'm thinking the 60-volt models would be best. I notice that car detailers all use the 60-volt models.

thanks!

 

[4xdog]

I use my run-of-the-mill DeWalt 20V Max blower on my cars -- in much higher humidity than your area -- and they work fine. A bit of touch up with a microfiber cloth and I'm done. If I had lower humidity, I probably wouldn't need anything but the air. The DeWalt is relatively light and nicely balanced for holding it in odd positions.

Is this the very best solution? Probably not, but from my experience so far the whole idea isn't that difficult.

 

[beemerphile]

You endanger your paint finish blowing with unfiltered air. Even the airborne grit that is picked up can cause damage. Have a look at air dryer meant for this purpose...

https://metrovac.com/collections/motorcycle

 

[allinon72]

650 or 670 seems to be the sweet spot between power, battery life and ergonomics for drying a car.

 

[bikerneil]

You endanger your paint finish blowing with unfiltered air. Even the airborne grit that is picked up can cause damage. Have a look at air dryer meant for this purpose...

https://metrovac.com/collections/motorcycle

This is an interesting idea as I already have a MetroVac mounted on the wall in the garage, and it has the 20' hose. I may try this...

 

[bikerneil]

I use my run-of-the-mill DeWalt 20V Max blower on my cars -- in much higher humidity than your area -- and they work fine. A bit of touch up with a microfiber cloth and I'm done. If I had lower humidity, I probably wouldn't need anything but the air. The DeWalt is relatively light and nicely balanced for holding it in odd positions.

Is this the very best solution? Probably not, but from my experience so far the whole idea isn't that difficult.

This is worth considering, as I have a full array of Dewalt Cordless tools with countless 20V batteries. I was reviewing their specs and was concerned that the 20 Volt model would give enough air velocity and volume.

 

[ItsNemo]

You endanger your paint finish blowing with unfiltered air. Even the airborne grit that is picked up can cause damage. Have a look at air dryer meant for this purpose...

https://metrovac.com/collections/motorcycle

Uh...because driving down the road at 80mph doesn't do just as much or actually WAY more damage given the **** kicked up by other vehicles. If a vehicle can't handle a lead blower, you might as well just wrap it in bubble wrap and never drive it.

 

[4xdog]

I had a chance to use my neighbor's Makita XBU02 blower (36V with two batteries) against my DeWalt DCBL722 blower (one 20V Max battery). The Makita was better, no doubt. But was it a LOT better? Not really. If you're already part of the DeWalt battery ecosystem, the nekkid tool can be a pretty good value and a decent starting point.

That cordless blower, BTW, is my most-used cordless tool. It's not even close. It's a rare day that it doesn't get used a couple of times. If you don't have one, I'd say it'll be worth it for multiple reasons.

I had a chance to compare my DeWalt head-to-head with another neighbor's Stihl 2-stroke blower, and it was better than the DeWalt too. but the DeWalt had probably 80% of the Stihl's performance and tons more convenience.

 

[RivennHewn]

I grab my air cannon over my leafblower any time I need to dry the car, dog, boat, or anything else.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQYV9V5/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Love this thing!

 

[4xdog]

I grab my air cannon over my leafblower any time I need to dry the car, dog, boat, or anything else.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQYV9V5/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Love this thing!

That's a neat product, @RivennHewn. What's the country of origin on yours?

EDIT -- Ah, I see deeper in the Amazon description that the COO is China.

 

[qqzj]

just drive it around. simple.

 

[kabinenroller]

I bought two of these pre owned from a dog groomer, I used them on my dogs, cars and motorcycle.

Air Force® Blaster® Pet Dryer B-3

So much power packed into its innovative design, it can cut drying time as much as 80%. Just flip the switch and literally blast water off the wettest dogs, faster and more efficiently. And these machines are perfectly safe. They have no heating element so they dry even heavy-coated dogs without...

metrovac.com

 

[beemerphile]

Uh...because driving down the road at 80mph doesn't do just as much or actually WAY more damage given the **** kicked up by other vehicles. If a vehicle can't handle a lead blower, you might as well just wrap it in bubble wrap and never drive it.

You apparently think that anyone who treats their car to a high level of care is an idiot. Well, you could wash it with laundry detergent out of a dirty bucket with an old mop and dry it with a beach towel; or, you could wrap the forward facing surfaces with PPF, paint correct and ceramic coat it, and treat it to two bucket washes and filtered air or chamois drying. Or anything in-between... your car, your choice.

 

[dnschmidt]

I live in Phoenix which has a climate quite similar to Carlsbad. What do you need to dry a car for when the humidity is 25% and the temps are seldom below 60 degrees in winter and 100 degrees in Summer. I use a good microfiber towel and literally run around the car to dry it before the sun beats me to it. With respect to your question I have the two battery Makita big boy and the small M18 blower and I prefer the small M18. Dewalt, and everybody else, makes an equivalent model. The Makita is too big, bulky and heavy for this purpose.

 

[dnschmidt]

You apparently think that anyone who treats their car to a high level of care is an idiot. Well, you could wash it with laundry detergent out of a dirty bucket with an old mop and dry it with a beach towel; or, you could wrap the forward facing surfaces with PPF, paint correct and ceramic coat it, and treat it to two bucket washes and filtered air or chamois drying. Or anything in-between... your car, your choice.

No, I don't think they're an idiot but Nemo does have a point and yes my car does have a ceramic coating applied to it. I keep it clean but it lives on the road and there certainly is a point of diminishing returns. The entire detailing thing can and does get a little out of hand.

 

[nickelTwin]

If a vehicle can't handle a lead blower,

I think a lead blower might do some damage to nice paint.

 

[pbon]

Uh...because driving down the road at 80mph doesn't do just as much or actually WAY more damage given the **** kicked up by other vehicles. If a vehicle can't handle a lead blower, you might as well just wrap it in bubble wrap and never drive it.

Was the discussion about collector cars or real world car washing? In my area, 80 mph is a pretty common highway speed in places and I tend to go with the flow of traffic. If you want to go 55, that is OK, but please stay in the right lane so the traffic jam behind you is over there.

 

[allinon72]

I'm a detailer and paint fanatic, and I don't knock the Metro Vac as a product, but the fact that they claim that unfiltered air damages paint is pure marketing propaganda, plain and simple. Especially since most people into detailing will have ceramic coated cars anyway.

 

[ItsNemo]

You apparently think that anyone who treats their car to a high level of care is an idiot. Well, you could wash it with laundry detergent out of a dirty bucket with an old mop and dry it with a beach towel; or, you could wrap the forward facing surfaces with PPF, paint correct and ceramic coat it, and treat it to two bucket washes and filtered air or chamois drying. Or anything in-between... your car, your choice.

Both my Porsche and Lexus have Xpel PPF and are well taken care of with proper washing technique. That definitely doesn't stop me from using a leaf blower on them to get the drips out or even worrying one little bit about the air it blows on them. A vehicle sees WAY worse driving down the road every single day and if your paint is so fragile that a little wind hurts them, bubble wrap is in order. A simple wipe with a microfibre will do more damage than a leaf blower.

I think allinon72 nails it:

I'm a detailer and paint fanatic, and I don't knock the Metro Vac as a product, but the fact that they claim that unfiltered air damages paint is pure marketing propaganda, plain and simple.

I think a lead blower might do some damage to nice paint.

HAHAH oops

 

[SteveL]

I use an Ego 650 with the long tube removed. Works well but I might break down and get a 3D printed stubby nozzle for it one of these days.

 

[Dig Doug]

You said you wanted the BEST….

i use a M18 leaf blower on my toys
im a 2 trucks and 2 jeeps guy

wifes car gets one of these….

Big Boi

Pro Plus brand

Make car cleaning effortless with BigBoi. From blowR's, WashR's, to the SuckR, we elevate your care game. Find your perfect detailing partner in bigboi's range.

ibigboi.com

heated air element w/ dual blowers

 

[truckman]

I am looking for the very best cordless leaf blower, to be used for drying my car after I wash it. I want: high power, focused air nozzle, and an air tube that's not too long.

I'm leaning toward one of the EGO 650 CFM models, but I'm wondering if others have already done the research and found one particular brand or model to be the very best for this particular application.

I'm willing to give up battery life for some other attributes as I am only drying one car at a time. I'm thinking the 60-volt models would be best. I notice that car detailers all use the 60-volt models.

thanks!

The EGO 650 is a good choice. Check out the Stubby Nozzle Company. They make a nozzle for EGOs , and other brands, specifically suited for the task. Available from many retailers and lots of good reviews and videos too.

 

[Den69rs96]

I have a decent selection of leaf blowers. I have a Stihl BG55, a Dewalt 20v cordless, a toro 60v cordless, and a Husky 570 backpack blower. The Dewalt is decent and useful for light clean up or if you don't want a dust bowl. It has a good amount of volume but lacks on the mph, so it doesn't move much too far. The Stihl handheld I have is much better in terms of performance, but most of the time I just use the cordless because it's easier to use for the smaller jobs. Last year, I ended up getting a Toro cordless mower and then the 60v blower. Now I rarely use the Dewalt blower and it stays in the camper. The toro specs are better than the Stihl, but I think they are comparable. I really like the toro, but the 2amp battery it comes with doesn't last long if you use the turbo feature. Neither can even come close to the Husky, but that is to be expected. If I were you, I would get the 60v ego or toro or comparable unit.

 

[Ilikeike]

I just use the ones I have, DeWalt 20v which is my garage blower, or the EGO 750 that's in the shed.
Only a few hard to dry areas I use them, engine, wheels, cowl, spoiler.

 

[Paycheck]

Master Blaster with a long hose

 

[P0234]

LOL @ the unfiltered air from the leaf blower. Must be tough driving on a real road with trucks throwing real rocks at your car. I'm a detail nut, have 3 different polisher, but I'm good with a basic leaf blower. No problems in using them for over a decade.

I'm here because I'm curious as well, I have a corded torro that has a square/flat nozzle and it works much better than my cordless with a round nozzle. I think if you just get a strong cordless with the right nozzle, you will be fine.

 

[beemerphile]

Both my Porsche and Lexus have Xpel PPF and are well taken care of with proper washing technique. That definitely doesn't stop me from using a leaf blower on them to get the drips out or even worrying one little bit about the air it blows on them. A vehicle sees WAY worse driving down the road every single day and if your paint is so fragile that a little wind hurts them, bubble wrap is in order. A simple wipe with a microfibre will do more damage than a leaf blower.

I think allinon72 nails it:





HAHAH oops

I love a good dog pile. Climb on.

 

[Vwpower]

I would get a blower from which ever cordless tool line you’re already invested in.

 

[Aileron]

RO water and you don't have to dry it, you can put a DI filter after the RO also.

 

[beemerphile]

RO water and you don't have to dry it, you can put a DI filter after the RO also.

Get your flamesuit ready. If it is non-sensical to dry a car with clean air, it might be a similar affront to wash it with clean water. "My car runs through mud puddles without damage so I don't see any sense in washing it with hospital water." er, something.

 

[ItsNemo]

Get your flamesuit ready. If it is non-sensical to dry a car with clean air, it might be a similar affront to wash it with clean water. "My car runs through mud puddles without damage so I don't see any sense in washing it with hospital water." er, something.

You're really stretching it...lol at "clean air"...how often do you buy bottled air to breathe?

 

[lolaetype]

So, I guess I'm the only one who uses a gas powered blower on the cars, mainly because I own 4 leaf blowers but none are cordless electric. I only use it to dry the wire wheels on the Jaguar and the grill areas on the Mazda 6. All other drying is accomplished with large microfiber towels.

 

[RTM]

I guess I'm the only one who rarely has the car washed. I live near the ocean, and get a nightly foggy (& salty ) mist over the vehicles most of the year. Neighbor buddy once commented on how good my car looked, how did I get it so nice?. I was on my way home from the car wash. The next morning it looked and felt like hell again.