scott16119
Member
I guess in theory a leaf blower is only blowing out as clean of air as it sucks in. Unless you regularly wash your bike in a gravel pit during a windstorm, I'd not be to worried about destroying the paintjob.
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MetroVac Air Force Blaster Motorcycle Dryer
- Thread starter FiFi
- Start date
Bob Denman
New member
:shocked: I think that this entire thread is just full of Hot Air... :roflblack:
While I like the idea of gadgets; I'm pretty much locked-in to using soft towels by my pocketbook!
While I like the idea of gadgets; I'm pretty much locked-in to using soft towels by my pocketbook!
Texas
New member
Yeah, that was a typo. I meant to say force of air would be far greater, due to the fact the volume of air would be forced out a much smaller tip.
I've tried the leaf blower before, but found that it only gets most of the water off (which still makes it much faster than trying to dry it completely with a towel). I'm sure the motorcycle dryer is a fine unit and does what it is designed to do very well, but like you said, it is a bit pricey. In fact, seeing this thread just made me start thinking about how I hate having to race to get all of the water off before the hot Texas heat fuses the minerals to the surface. However, I'm going to look at getting a small tip for my Wet/Dry Vac. I'm not so worried about the sandblasting issue, as I keep the canister and filter clean
jcthorne
Well-known member
I bought the metro unit about a year ago for trying my GT. After 2 uses and another member suggesting trying a typhoon sweeper tip for my air compressor, I sent the over priced metro back. The typhoon sweeper tip moves MUCH more air than the blower. Now it does require a pretty large air compressor. My 5hp 35gal shop compressor cannot keep up for more than a few minutes at a time. But, 5hp is a lot more power than the metro can suck out of a 120v outlet so it makes sense. The typhoon nozzle can be had for less than $30 and is much better than the Chinese air blow nozzles sold at Home Depot.
jaherbst
New member
I use a small blower that I bought at my local Harley dealer. It is about the size of a quart jar but has the same air flow/velocity that the larger blower you are talking about here but not the hot air. It is a two speed and cost several years ago about $50. We had the same unit you are referring to here ( light blue) in 1987 when we were showing and selling Llamas. They have expanded it to many other uses for marketing it. I sold it when we left the ranch and moved to Arizona. I beleive we paid around $250 for it then. We used it for grooming the heavy wool and drying the Llamas. Great high quality unit if it is still manufactured by the same company.Jack
Texas
New member
Home Depot - My Home Away from Home
For those interested, I went to Home Depot today, and for about $23.50, I was able to purchase all of the adapters and small nozzle that I needed to convert my Wet/Dry Vacuum to what I believe will be a great motorcycle dryer. The force of air coming out of the nozzle is what I expected (more than enough to dry a vehicle). I should mention that my Rigid Wet/Dry has a 5.0HP motor, so consider that before making any assumptions. I believe MetroVac has stronger options, but I believe they also run north of $300.
My setup lets me use the 20 ft. hose from the garage connection of my home's central vac, and combined with the hose from the Wet/Dry, gives me about a 25' reach; allowing me to keep the vacuum (and the noise) in the garage, while I am on the driveway drying the bike. To me, this is better than having to hold a dryer in one hand and the hose in the other.
For those of you worried about dirt particles being blown (or sandblasting), if you use a clean filter (which I purchased seperately) and make sure the canister is clean before using it to dry a vehicle, there is nothing to worry about. In fact, if you're real anal, you can also purchase a HEPA filter for the Wet/Dry which will keep even micro-dust particles from being blown.
Just one more use for that Wet/Dry Vac
Reference:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3-Piece-Adapter-Kit-VT1755/202077239
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stinger-Micro-Cleaning-Kit-VT1215/100139249
Want even more power? Lowes sells a 6.5HP Wet/Dry Vac for about $100
For those interested, I went to Home Depot today, and for about $23.50, I was able to purchase all of the adapters and small nozzle that I needed to convert my Wet/Dry Vacuum to what I believe will be a great motorcycle dryer. The force of air coming out of the nozzle is what I expected (more than enough to dry a vehicle). I should mention that my Rigid Wet/Dry has a 5.0HP motor, so consider that before making any assumptions. I believe MetroVac has stronger options, but I believe they also run north of $300.
My setup lets me use the 20 ft. hose from the garage connection of my home's central vac, and combined with the hose from the Wet/Dry, gives me about a 25' reach; allowing me to keep the vacuum (and the noise) in the garage, while I am on the driveway drying the bike. To me, this is better than having to hold a dryer in one hand and the hose in the other.
For those of you worried about dirt particles being blown (or sandblasting), if you use a clean filter (which I purchased seperately) and make sure the canister is clean before using it to dry a vehicle, there is nothing to worry about. In fact, if you're real anal, you can also purchase a HEPA filter for the Wet/Dry which will keep even micro-dust particles from being blown.
Just one more use for that Wet/Dry Vac
Reference:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3-Piece-Adapter-Kit-VT1755/202077239
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stinger-Micro-Cleaning-Kit-VT1215/100139249
Want even more power? Lowes sells a 6.5HP Wet/Dry Vac for about $100
MarkLawson
RT-S PE#0031
My shop vac motor detaches from the canister and is very easy to use as a blower. All the attachments that work on the shop vac canister also attach to the motor directly. I also have an electric leaf blower which also works very well.
jcthorne
Well-known member
I should mention that my Rigid Wet/Dry has a 5.0HP motor, so consider that before making any assumptions.
Just one more use for that Wet/Dry Vac
Want even more power? Lowes sells a 6.5HP Wet/Dry Vac for about $100
Just an FYI, if the vac plugs into a 120v outlet, it is NOT 5 or 6 real HP. Its marketing hype 'peak HP' that there is no way to attain. There is only enough energy available in a 120V outlet to develop just over 1 HP.
