:iagree: with both of you above^^ the leaf blower works and I have one. I also have the blaster sidekick it gets all the cracks and gaps in head lights, side markers and tail lights ect. I find both methods work and get approx 95-99% of the water off it. Then I just go once around with a micro fiber to dab anything that's left or creeping.


IMO though that blaster side kick was the best addition to my detailing kit. It can also be used like the leaf blower to do the whole car, I have done this the past 2 times and it worked great! Changed the head (comes with two) to make it more of a fan rather then the pointed nozzle. Great product you guys should check it out, definitely a step above the leaf blower! This blows warm, dry filtered air, where a leaf blower is not warm or filtered.....

This may help you out.

In-Line Water Softener With Fittings - Cleaning Tools - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Portable Water Deionizer - Cleaning Tools - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

have you guys taken a look at these.

Metro Air Force Blaster 4hp
Metro Air Force Blaster 8hp

Uber Super Drying Towel

That metro blaster looks great...kinda pricey though :/

I saw some guys mention the shop vac earlier? I got one of those...clean it out,so its not blowing dust and debris..and then it should be perfectly safe right?

I wouldn't. It's pretty much a recipe for a sandblaster.

Why do you say this?

water spots
 

Do not wash a section at a time. Soap the whole car, its ok if some areas dry. Then rinse and dry. This reduces water spots drying on earlier areas. This from Adams Products DVD.

Awesome! Thanks.. Never knew of such a thing.:tiphat:

I have been detailing Black cars since the early 1980's...

Never in the Sun and with Cool paint, do what Roadster says..

No circular motions..Side to side...

And i have used a pre cleaner #7 to get rid of smog and grease haze on older black cars..Then lay the #26 carnuba on...I do it to my older car, but may not use the pre cleaner on the 370Z..

Once you can detail black cars to have no grease or swirls in the paint with the sun beating down on it, any other color is easy..

IMHO, once you let soap dry on the car, you are in trouble...Sure you can #7 and then wax it out, but I would never ever wash the whole car at once....

You take the chance of soap drying on paint, chrome, windows..


Not in 35 years plus..IMHO:tiphat:

The Z/28 has 28 year old paint...

Huh? Never do what? Wash a car, keep it wet throughout the process and dry it with a leaf blower?

That '71 Z/28 is gorgeous would love to see more pics. Was always one of my favorite cars.

Sorry...:rofl2:

Never wash it in the sun...Yes on the keeping it wet through out the process, and yes on using the leaf blower to get most of the water off..

Thanks. I will post more when I detail it soon. I just got it out of the Muscle car shop, and I am getting it ready for a local Car show..

Gotta say....I love the 370Z..Inside and Out...Loved my 350Z, but the 370Z ? Oh Yea...

Who said to wash it in the sun :icon17:

Bucket
 

I disagree. Ive tried what Adams how to DVD said and it works. Its ok to let soap dry, it wont cause spots like water will. I wonder whos more correct?

Your car looks Killer, so what ever you are doing is working fine..

I just thought I would throw my .02 cents in, that's all..I sure don't have the magic way, I just do what I do and it works...

We all have ideas, and each person reading can decide for themselves.. I plan to steal some of the ideas you guys have on Detailing , modding, ect...

That is why it is cool to share ideas..But again, your car is Black, and looking Sweet, so there is the proof right there..

Excellent choice by the way.

I have one of these:

http://jasonpatz.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/blower.jpg

How well does that work? Anyone have any experience say comparing a leaf blower compared to one of those metro air blaster units? Are they really that much better?

I have both a leaf blower and a metro blaster (my metro is the sidekick blaster it's smaller and cheaper then the big unit. IMO the metro is much better! As I posted above the metro has warm, dry filtered and works for the whole car! It comes with two attachments for changing the heads one being a tight nozzle the other is more of a flat fan blade shape to get the bigger areas. Between this and dabbing the remaining left with a waffle weave microfiber (from Adams IMO). Works great would recommend it to everyone!

Guess I should also say that once I used the sidekick, I have since retired the leaf blower and it just sits in the shed.

Thank You
 

I agree, sharing ideas is the way to go.

I tried using a leaf blower for the first time yesterday and it didn't work out so well. It did do wonders for the wheels and lights, door james, crevices, etc., but it takes too long on the rest of the car and does not get enough water off to warrant the wait. While it may help protect by reducing the amount of times you have to physically wipe with a drying towel, certain spots will air dry before you're done causing spots.

FYI... my car is loaded with wax and washed regulary so there usually is not much dirt accumulated.

Leaf blower.
Adams quick detailer
Adams drying towel

BAM!

Adams also recommends the detail spray to be used while drying. It will help prevent water spots.

Detailers Spray
 

Good point. Use it to remove water spots and many times I just go over the car after a wash with Meguires Ultimate Detail Spray.

I used to always hand dry my Z but last 2 times I used a leaf blower and had water spots and salty lines from where the water dripped. Next time I will follow up with QD and a drying towel. is it okay to use a QD when drying right before using a Paint Cleaner?

Will these water spots require a compound or will they come out with a wash and clay?

Any spots I have noticed after wipe away with the detail spray. For the most part lately I have gotten to everything quick enough that there's no spotting. As for the paint cleaner issue. I haven't noticed any problems but normally I would polish the car next. Then I would use some paint cleaner fallowed by some wax. I am currently using zymol paint cleaner fallowed by zymol Japon wax(zyme according to them lol) after I polish. I'm loving it!

Also get a metro blaster for those who don't have one they rock!

Any recommendations for a specific leaf blower to use to dry the car?

Sears has this one for $32. I used that one for years until I got the Air Force Master Blaster. Do NOT get a gas powered one. The exhaust will settle on top of your paint.

How well does it dry?

If the paint on your car has been fixed and waxed to perfection, it dries like nobody's business. Your paint need to be slick as glass to get the best results from air. That means clayed, polishes and waxed. I prefer the Air Force Master Blaster myself and that's what I use now. It will blow the milk out of a cow and the air is HEATED.

I think you've sold me on the air force blaster haha. How much will one of those run me?
Dam.. Ive been meaning to wax the living daylights out of my car.. This will only further motivate me :D

They are around $300+. You need to shop around and see if you can find a deal. The thing is built like a horse. Serious 'made in America' quality. Here's a short video of me using one.

Retail is $339.99 (you pay 10% lesS) plus Flat Rate Shipping $7.95 and taxes.

Figure you get $34 off but still have to pay tax and the $7.95 for shipping. STILL cheaper I think than full retail.

Master Blaster Here

Amazon is selling them for $312.19 and it ships for free with Super Saver Shipping.