F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Leaf Blower Effective If Not Frequently Waxed?
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-03-2016, 01:14 PM   #1
Mjolnir63
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: 2016 BMW 340i
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Leaf Blower Effective If Not Frequently Waxed?

Hi Guys,

I am thinking about buying a electric leaf blower to wash my 340i, but I haven't waxed it since December of last year when I bought it. Will leaf blower be effective at all if the car isn't waxed frequently?

As a side question, exactly how is one supposed to use the Dry Me A River from THE RAG COMPANY? (http://www.amazon.com/RAG-COMPANY-Pr...dry+me+a+river )

After the final rinse of the car I would use the towels to dry the car, but there are streak marks regardless of how many times I go over the surface. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2016, 02:50 PM   #2
snj49er
First Lieutenant
102
Rep
335
Posts

Drives: '20 M5C
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Western NC - 28804

iTrader: (1)

If the water beads well on the paint, it's a pretty simple matter to encourage it to run off with a blower. As a final step of your rinse, try the "sheeting" method with a bare-end hose (no spray nozzle). If your paint is hydrophobic, it should look a lot like this: http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-De...ying/#sheeting

But if the water doesn't bead, it's much more of a struggle using a blower...you'll wind up trying to dry the car more thru evaporation. At that point, you're probably better off with a towel.
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2016, 04:33 PM   #3
Fronzdan
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
273
Rep
1,688
Posts

Drives: '24 M240 xDrive
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Leaf blower works fine, even if you're not getting a "just waxed" beading. As mentioned, it's a bit of a combination of evaporation and blowing water off. But it still works and works well.
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2016, 06:00 PM   #4
Mjolnir63
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: 2016 BMW 340i
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the replies guys! I will get electric blower then.
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2016, 06:31 PM   #5
SDH
Captain
407
Rep
903
Posts

Drives: .
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by psde2F30 View Post
Hi Guys,

I am thinking about buying a electric leaf blower to wash my 340i, but I haven't waxed it since December of last year when I bought it. Will leaf blower be effective at all if the car isn't waxed frequently?

As a side question, exactly how is one supposed to use the Dry Me A River from THE RAG COMPANY? (http://www.amazon.com/RAG-COMPANY-Pr...dry+me+a+river )

After the final rinse of the car I would use the towels to dry the car, but there are streak marks regardless of how many times I go over the surface. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
If you're getting streaks then you need a better towel! I use leaf blower then mop up spots with mf towel
Appreciate 0
      02-03-2016, 07:58 PM   #6
Mjolnir63
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: 2016 BMW 340i
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SDH View Post
If you're getting streaks then you need a better towel! I use leaf blower then mop up spots with mf towel
O man...I just bought them from Amazon and used them once...
Which towel do you guys use?
Appreciate 0
      02-04-2016, 02:06 AM   #7
SDH
Captain
407
Rep
903
Posts

Drives: .
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by psde2F30 View Post
O man...I just bought them from Amazon and used them once...
Which towel do you guys use?
Not much use to you really as this is a UK based company but I use this...

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf.../prod_634.html

You really need to be looking at the polyester/polyamide ratio (its ingredients if you like) and the grammage (weight). I'd recommend 70% polyester, 30% polyamide with a minimum grammage of 300 g/m²

Most importantly when you wash them use a low temperature (40 °C) using a non-biological liquid detergent (avoid soap powders and detergents containing bleach or fabric softeners) and don't use any separate fabric softeners or the towel will not absorb water as it should.

EDIT...

If it helps this is what i'll be buying for my next drying towel
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...ryer-cat5.html
I haven't used a Gyeon product yet that I wasn't impressed by
Appreciate 0
      02-04-2016, 07:51 PM   #8
smithf80
Major General
smithf80's Avatar
United_States
2794
Rep
5,313
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2022 G20 330i  [9.00]
2018 F80 M3  [9.75]
I use those towels and don't get streaks. Main thing is to not wash in the sun, if you are.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2016, 11:09 PM   #9
Baldmonkey22
Private First Class
15
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lancaster, CA.

iTrader: (0)

I use a leaf blower on the Windows, bumpers, wheels, door handles and mirrors to get the water out of the spots that will continue to drip, then finish with a towel.
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2016, 11:41 AM   #10
rjd598
Banned
United_States
1770
Rep
6,696
Posts

Drives: F30 340i
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego,CA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2016 BMW 340i  [0.00]
if you don't have good protection a leaf blower will only take you so far. however it will be worth it because you can at least get all the joor jambs and problem areas where water builds up.

invest in a nice sealant to get better and longer protection. check out sonax polymer netshield if you're interested going that route.
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2016, 12:51 PM   #11
vanbmw
Major
vanbmw's Avatar
Canada
130
Rep
1,101
Posts

Drives: 2015 Black 335i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

The leaf blower is still worth using when your wax/sealant is loosing its gusto! The good news is when I notice the leaf blower isn't working quite as well at getting water off then I know it is time to add a coat of sealant.
Appreciate 0
      02-19-2016, 11:50 AM   #12
Mjolnir63
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: 2016 BMW 340i
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the replies guys!
I have tried the blower and was pleasantly surprised, despite not waxing the car for about 3 weeks.

Also found that quick detailer/wax can be used to help dry the car without streaks.....the more you know haha
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2016, 07:58 PM   #13
MSportTune2
First Lieutenant
Aland Islands
80
Rep
346
Posts

Drives: F30 MSport
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

After I bought the Bosch blower, the manual says not to blow directly at water as it may cause shorting!

Anyway, it is great for blowing off hard to reach areas where water accumulates like window seals, rims etc. Great as a duster as well to get rid of the dust especially on rims.

For blowing at wide area, we should make a wide nozzle and attach to the circular rubber nozzle. I think it will be more effective.

Last edited by MSportTune2; 02-27-2016 at 09:39 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-09-2016, 12:18 AM   #14
power-fade
Private
power-fade's Avatar
8
Rep
64
Posts

Drives: Ultimate Driving Machine
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSportTune2 View Post
After I bought the Bosch blower, the manual says not to blow directly at water as it may cause shorting!

Anyway, it is great for blowing off hard to reach areas where water accumulates like window seals, rims etc. Great as a duster as well to get rid of the dust especially on rims.

For blowing at wide area, we should make a wide nozzle and attach to the circular rubber nozzle. I think it will be more effective.
I use a foam cannon attachment with my pressure washer to wash car if isn't too dirty; if really dirty I use the 2 wash bucket method to wash, then dry with the metro blaster car dryer; and then clay entire car, seal the paint with sealant/polish and finish it off with light coat of carnauba wax.....all day job!!!!
__________________
The Ultimate Driving Machine

2016 340i xDrive Premium package enhanced, M performance package, 624M
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:08 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST