Leaf blower or wet/dry vac to get rid of excess water after washes? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BSP_Tacoma · 08-09-2006, 03:59 AM

I have washed my truck a total of three time since I got my truck and was thinking of buying some type of blower to get the water out of the small spaces under my tacoma's grill and under the headlights...etc.

I was thinking of getting a wet/dry vac to do this, this way I can use it to vacuum the interior of my truck, too. Sound good?

Is anyone using this same method? And what models are working for you?
Here are a few I'm looking at. Do I need a 200+mph blower to blow the water out?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/searc...&gobutton=find

I'm looking for the most economical blower just for auto detailing.

Thanks

Pb · 08-09-2006, 11:32 AM

I use a medium sized Stihl gas leaf blower.

But since I've recently gotten a water filtering system I find that it's not so necessary to dry the vehicle off so fast.

elwinna · 08-09-2006, 03:10 PM

I've used some canned air under the mirrors and headlights where water tends to accumulate. For some serious pressure I've considered using my scuba tank but its a bit heavy to carry around. Actually, using an Absorber gets most of the excess water and after a few trips around the truck using that I only have a little bit left in those spots to worry about. I guess it evaporates pretty quickly.

Pb · 08-09-2006, 05:29 PM

The area where our grill meets the bumper seems to hold a lot of water in the crevice and it's hard to get out. Then when you start driving it runs down the side of your clean truck.

If you take the grill off you will see that theres a lip on the top of the bumper that holds all that water. I drilled four 1/4" holes along the length of the lip, so now the water drains out and doesn't stay there. You can't see the holes once you re-install the grill.

***Dana_15*** · 08-09-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pb

But since I've recently gotten a water filtering system I find that it's not so necessary to dry the vehicle off so fast.

O/T. What did you have installed? I've been contemplating doing one in conjunction to the outside faucet that mixes hot and cold water. I've seen some in line filters that take the calcium and hardness out of the water, any pics?

Pb · 08-09-2006, 09:23 PM

Here it is. http://www.autogeek.net/deluxe-filter-system.html

It won't leave the vehicle totally free of water spots without towel drying, but it does make the vehicle a lot easier to dry off.

I usually rinse off the vehicle and then I let it partially air dry while I put the hose and buckets away. Then I will dry off the remaining water. One Waffle Weave MF towel will easily do the job, where before it would take at least 2 towels to dry my truck. You don't have to worry about water streaks that the towel misses; it just evaporates. It basically changes the characteristic of the water. It runs off of the vehicle better and doesn't try to pool and sit on the paint. If you do have a water spot it's easy to wipe off, unlike hardwater spots.

***Dana_15*** · 08-10-2006, 04:59 AM

^^^Thanks. I purchased a black truck last month and the water spots were killing me, a Sonus Ultimate Drying towel helped but that looks like the way to go, once again thanks.

BSP_Tacoma · 08-10-2006, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwinna

I've used some canned air under the mirrors and headlights where water tends to accumulate. For some serious pressure I've considered using my scuba tank but its a bit heavy to carry around. Actually, using an Absorber gets most of the excess water and after a few trips around the truck using that I only have a little bit left in those spots to worry about. I guess it evaporates pretty quickly.

That's thinking out of the box...LOL
Hmm...that makes me consider investing in an air compressor. Some of my friends have them, but they are mechanics and make much more use out of them then I would. I think it would be cool to have, though. It would open up so many opportunities.

Pb, yea, that space between the bumper and grill is one of the main water traps that annoy me. Soon, I'll be able to just blow it out

Still looking....

Pb · 08-10-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSP_Tacoma

Pb, yea, that space between the bumper and grill is one of the main water traps that annoy me. Soon, I'll be able to just blow it out

Still looking....

I blew it out with air but some of the water still came back. It's like magic.

Drilling those holes helped a lot.

BSP_Tacoma · 08-10-2006, 11:49 PM

How are these for blower mph?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cemldffidfmm.0

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

The last one will prolly vacuum better, but is a 140 mph blower really needed?... because I only plan on using the blower for the water under the grill and headlights and mirrors.

Will a 140 mph blower be strong enough to do more than that? I mean blow dry most of my truck???

Pb · 08-11-2006, 12:34 AM

Yeah, a small one will work fine.

elwinna · 08-11-2006, 09:32 AM

Make sure you set your parking brake before you start BSP!!!

BSP_Tacoma · 08-11-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwinna

Make sure you set your parking brake before you start BSP!!!

LOL, it'll be like category 4 hurricane force winds.

This one is going on sale at sears next week, so I think I'm getting this one.
It'll be good for general garage cleaning, too.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...TOOL&ihtoken=1

camrycoupe95 · 08-12-2006, 01:27 PM

When I worked at detail shop we used compressed air hoses for water evecuation. This worked well because the air stream was concentrated into a tight beam. This technique also works for cleaning out dust from vents and cracks in the interior....spray your "armor all type" cleaner on the offending areas then follow up with the air. Good as new.

thoots · 08-13-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSP_Tacoma

I have washed my truck a total of three time since I got my truck and was thinking of buying some type of blower to get the water out of the small spaces under my tacoma's grill and under the headlights...etc.

I was thinking of getting a wet/dry vac to do this, this way I can use it to vacuum the interior of my truck, too. Sound good?

Is anyone using this same method? And what models are working for you?

I've used leaf blowers (a cheapie Toro and a bit less cheapie cordless Black and Decker), but ultimately I went for a ShopVac with blower capability. Specifically, this one from Lowe's Home Improvement:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...411&lpage=none

It's relatively smaller, yet relatively more powerful, than the average ShopVac, which works for me! I think the advantages over a leaf blower would involve how the ShopVac filters the air, and how you can use attachments to concentrate the air, and really get some power behind the blowing, along with some precise aiming to really effectively get the water out of the nooks and crannies. Also, it's a lot easier on your body and your ears to just move a hose around, rather than, say, holding a leaf blower beside your head as you try to blast water off of the roof of the car....

It has a slightly bigger-diameter hose than "normal," so I bought a 1-1/4" hose for it, and I often use some of the stuff from a "mini-attachment" set. I'm very happy with how this has worked. And, of course, it all works very well when it comes to vacuuming the car and other stuff.

I even recently took my computer out and blowed the begeezus out of that -- what a mess! Cleaned it up real good.

At any rate, this ShopVac works very well as far as I'm concerned!