[Hurbert II]

So, I have finally bitten the bullet and ordered an "Air Force Blaster" air dryer. Probably a bit of an extravagance, but I have these main reasons..

a) He's black. I swore I'd never buy another black car (after the last 5!) but the F56 JCW looks sooooo good in black it just happened.
b) Like the R56, the F56 has about a million shut lines, plastic grilles and nooks and crannies and towel drying can't get everywhere
c) If I see another dribble from the boot, wing mirrors, petrol cap etc after I have just spent 2 or 3 hours polishing the little sod, I will not be held accountable for the consequences

Anyone else got one? Any reviews from MINI people before I accept the delivery tomorrow?

 

[02fanatic]

I have a blower (drying gun) sitting on the bench in my garage waiting to wash & detail "Midnight" when he arrives. I won't even let my dealer detail him! No swirl marks!

I bought a hand held electric blower (with two nozzles, flare and pointed for crevices) from Griot's Garage here in the USA.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/airstream+drying+gun.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search

A good leave blower will work for general blow-off, but for the cracks & crevices you'll want something easy to operate and maneuver around.

Hope this helps,

John

 

[Hurbert II]

Yeah, I thought about the leaf blower option, but ours is a (uber powerful) 2-stroke Husqvarna jobby, so I didn't fancy blasting either car with 300mph hot oily exhaust!

Besides, it has no intake filter so there's a chance you could "sand blast" your car with the wrong gust of wind! :|

 

[BoCRon]

I've been using the Blaster Sidekick for about 10 years. I towel dry first then blow out the sneaky spots. Great investment for sure.
Annette

 

[Hurbert II]

Well, I've had it for a week now and I'm finding it extremely useful, and not just with all the MINI's knooks and crannies. You can easily dry the whole car with just the blower providing the car is well waxed as the water just shoots off. Takes a bit of practice as you end up going over where you've been. I'm working on my technique...

It's also really useful for generally tidying up. Blast the interior bits that your vacuum with crevice tool won't reach and then just tidy up with the vacuum. (Btw, who IS eating a baguette on the back shelf of my saloon/sedan Audi?!!)

Dry wheels are awesome too, takes seconds and saves mucky microfibres that you always seem to get when drying wheels...

Is it worth the money? Probably not, but it's a cool gadget...

 

[02fanatic]

Smart move! I love mine.....it looks just like the one at the bottom of the pic above that Annette posted. It absolutely is the best at blowing water out of my JCW's plastic grills (which are hard to clean even with a q-tip!...yes, I use those too!!!) and it works magic on wheels. Heck next time I wash I'll probably not even use a towel to dry! LOL!

Remember, NO SWIRL MARKS!! Let it be dirty until you wash it...no need to use a duster or dust of even with a soft micro....WILL scratch!
Cheers,

John

P.S. Oh yeah, mine was only $100! Well worth it for sure!

 

[BoCRon]

The Sidekick usually goes for around $75. Worth every penny.
Annette

 

[02fanatic]

The Sidekick usually goes for around $75. Worth every penny.
Annette

At that price it's REALLY worth the money....

 

[Evlkarl]

Whoa BocRon your Garage Cabinets are more organized than the Phoenix Library

 

[BoCRon]

Whoa BocRon your Garage Cabinets are more organized than the Phoenix Library

LOL, just don't look at my kitchen.

Annette

 

[Davo56]

Being Scottish I just spent a whole £12.99 delivered on a small Katsu blower off e-bay!!!
It really is quite powerful,compact and light and comes with a rubber nozzle and dustbag to use as a vacuum when reversed.
I know it probably wont last too long but it does come with a spare set of brushes for the motor!!
It will be ideal for grilles,wheels and other nooks and crannies........only complaint is the very short lead but at £12.99 who cares:laugh:
Now where did I put that 3 year warranty

 

[miniInBlack]

I've been using the Blaster Sidekick for about 10 years. I towel dry first then blow out the sneaky spots. Great investment for sure.
Annette

I see you have that Mr. Clean De-ionizer doohickie...how do you like it? I've been eye-balling it for a while, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.