Is a 4.2hp air blower sifficient enough to dry a car ?

[chrisk2010]

Maybe over thinking this a bit.

If your trying to save money then buy a cheap dryer / leaf blower and see if you like drying the car this way and if you do then further down the line maybe take the plunge into getting a dedicated car dryer.

A leaf blower is a good substitute to a car dryer and safer than using a microfiber drying towel the only draw backs i can see would be the air being unfiltered and the risk of kicking up dust onto a freshly cleaned car.

Purchasing a dedicated car dryer would probably be the safest way to go and you'd only be buying once rather than buying something trying it and then purchasing again.

I'm trying to avoid getting into the power the motor kicks discussion but maybe have a look at the air flow as no matter what the motor wattage the air flow would be what it actually puts out.

Air Force® Master Blaster® MB-3CD - 58,500 FPM - $472 (£348)

BIGBOI BLOWR PRO TOUCHLESS CAR DRYER - Airflow: (FPM) 59,200 ft/min - £329.00

BIGBOI BLOWR MINI TOUCHLESS CAR DRYER - Airflow: (FPM) 29,600 ft/min - £149.00

Starting out i'd probably go for the big boi mini, if car detailing was my profession only then would i consider buying a more professional grade.

I took a quick look at the dog grooming site and they are just as expensive as the big boi mini at the lower end.

 

[BTB 500]

I'm trying to avoid getting into the power the motor kicks discussion but maybe have a look at the air flow as no matter what the motor wattage the air flow would be what it actually puts out.

Airflow is useful, but ideally you'd need to know both the volume being pushed out (e.g. cubic feet per minute - CFM) and the velocity (e.g. feet per minute - FPM) in order to compare. The specs. for the blowers mentioned only give the velocity - as an aside this seems unbelievably high (59,200 FPM is 673 mph, which would surely have the potential to cause damage?!). The wattage of the unit (how much power it's using) is probably still the easiest comparison IMHO, although some of this will relate to heating rather than blowing if a dryer has this facility.

 

[chrisk2010]

Airflow is useful, but ideally you'd need to know both the volume being pushed out (e.g. cubic feet per minute - CFM) and the velocity (e.g. feet per minute - FPM) in order to compare. The specs. for the blowers mentioned only give the velocity - as an aside this seems unbelievably high (59,200 FPM is 673 mph, which would surely have the potential to cause damage?!). The wattage of the unit (how much power it's using) is probably still the easiest comparison IMHO, although some of this will relate to heating rather than blowing if a dryer has this facility.

I see your thought process, the big boi units and dedicated cars dryers in general will be manufactured and designed for purpose so i would imagine your really have to go some to potentially cause damage.

I referenced that particular brand as they are very popular among detailing forums and have yet to hear about anyone cause damage with one.

Here's a link to all the information will be there, hope this helps.

BigBoi Touchless Car & Motorcycle Dryers

 

[BTB 500]

I see your thought process, the big boi units and dedicated cars dryers in general will be manufactured and designed for purpose so i would imagine your really have to go some to potentially cause damage.

I referenced that particular brand as they are very popular among detailing forums and have yet to hear about anyone cause damage with one.

Here's a link to all the information will be there, hope this helps.

BigBoi Touchless Car & Motorcycle Dryers

That seems a lot more sensible:

• Adjustable wind control from 72km/h up to 290km/h (45mph - 180mph)

 

[Deleted member 126251]

"Much ado about nothing"?

I rinse my car with filtered water and then blow off the excess before parking it in the garage.

I use a 18v leaf blower, works fine. Moves the water, lives on the garage floor under a cupboard. I just run it for ~30 sec before pointing at the car. No issues at all, no chipped, paint, no scratches, no drama etc etc.

 

[Atavus]

Seems a bit of a stretch to agree the power figures are complete fiction then rely on the airflow numbers. I expect they are much of a muchness.

Regarding heating the air, it’s mostly a byproduct of the compressor and the motor. I doubt they need to add a heater.

 

[BTB 500]

Regarding heating the air, it’s mostly a byproduct of the compressor and the motor. I doubt they need to add a heater.

It's just a motor turning a fan - the large volume of air passing through does need a heater to make any noticeable difference in the temperature. I just pulled my blaster out to check the power rating (it's 1800W) - that has a main power on/off switch, a motor speed control, and an on/off switch for the heater.