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CVO Technical => Cleaning/Detailing => Topic started by: Laker on April 19, 2005, 10:19:51 PM

Title: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Laker on April 19, 2005, 10:19:51 PM
I bought this product last year and love it. I imagine quite a few people have one but I thought I would post for those that don't. It makes drying hard to reach areas a snap. Food for thought! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=38A7CC04-12C5-4DC6-BC46-686F346EBA34&search=air%20blaster&store=All&page=1
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: hd-dude on April 20, 2005, 01:38:38 AM
Yep;
Great product Laker. I have had one for about a year now and it really does make the detailing process quicker. Its well worth the money.  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Twolanerider on April 20, 2005, 01:44:27 AM
Have a similar product.  Blows a nice volume of air that's also slightly warmed.  Not enough velocity or heat to ever hurt anything.  Just makes drying hard to reach areas an easier job.  

Have used it on the bike some but where it's turned out to be really a great tool is blow drying the spokes on the spoked wheels of the old 56 T-bird.  It's a tough chore doing those KH wheels any other way.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: LBI-DTW on April 20, 2005, 09:28:20 AM
Thanks Laker,

I had been thinking about getting a dryer.
The cost of dryer is all over the place. $99.99 all the way up to $300.00.
I see that you have the Blaster and Twolanerider has the same and another.
Thanks for the info. guys
Decision time, Should I or keep doing it by hand.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: WFP on April 20, 2005, 09:36:38 AM
I have been using my black&decker electric leaf blower for years!
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: hd-dude on April 20, 2005, 09:39:45 AM
Quote
Thanks Laker,

I had been thinking about getting a dryer.
The cost of dryer is all over the place. $99.99 all the way up to $300.00.
I see that you have the Blaster and Twolanerider has the same and another.
Thanks for the info. guys
Decision time, Should I or keep doing it by hand.


LBI;
The manufacture has several models of these dryers, the price fluctuation your seeing is probably for different models. I have no experience with the lower power models. The best price I have found for the 4hp model is at Amazon for $189.00 here is the link:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006GJ9RI/qid=1114004127/sr=1-17/ref=sr_1_17/002-4896165-8165647?v=glance&s=kitchen
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: ufo on April 20, 2005, 09:41:37 AM
Quote
I have been using my black&decker electric leaf blower for years!


I'm with you, I use it for the bikes, the cars, the garage, open up the PC's and of course a few times of year the traditional fall job in the yard.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Laker on April 20, 2005, 10:06:54 AM
Quote
I have been using my black&decker electric leaf blower for years!


I used to use mine but read an article concerning the non-existent filter on these blowers. According to the article, when the blower sucks the air in, dirt particles will pass through the unit and onto whatever the air is hitting. I personally was concerned about such high speed particles eventually messing up the paint/chrome on the bike.

I have no idea if the article was blowing hot air but it was enough for me to drop some coin and get a unit that was made with a good filter system.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: WFP on April 20, 2005, 11:35:57 AM
To be honest, I would be more worried about blowing sand on the ground with any blower...MHO
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: HUBBARD on April 20, 2005, 03:41:26 PM
Yeah, 'er, 'uh, Laker,
 I agree with you on the nooks and crannys, but look close on your paint!  The Air Force Dryer leaves a "film" on the surface.  That's been my experience, anyway.  Nothing compares to washing, drying, and waxing by hand!  Ain't no easy way!  Takes about 6 hours to detail my "Led Sled", as hd2003 calls it.  Good therapy, too!  Later--HUBBARD
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Laker on April 20, 2005, 03:59:08 PM
Quote
Yeah, 'er, 'uh, Laker,
 
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: hd-dude on April 20, 2005, 04:14:12 PM
Quote
 
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Laker on April 20, 2005, 04:44:16 PM
Quote

Yo Hub; Maybe it has something to do with the water in them thar hills? I have never noticed a film after using mine. I still go over all of the paint anyway and also your right that you still need a good waxin' after a wash. I use it to speed up the drying phase of the detailing process.

Laker; don't give up on it yet.....


[smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Bad Daddy on April 20, 2005, 06:49:57 PM
I've been using the air force blaster for a couple years.  It drys quick, but I agrethat you can get a film or water spots even with the blower.  I typically still detail the bike after using the blower.  For me, it just saves time.  I can wsh and dry the bike in less than an hour and then a few hours of detailing.  I've never seen the blower as something that would do anything but shorten the dry time so I could get to the detailing.  Still love it.  Think I paid about 199 for it.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: BadAss2 on April 20, 2005, 08:58:57 PM
Darn 1 hp blower on the hot tub just cooled down the water too much. Ripped her off the tub, installed a flex hose and nozzel from an old vacuum cleaner. Wella - not a spot on the chrome anywhere. Saw them using this at a Harley D shop and did it too. The nozzle restrict the air flow thus causing some warmth in the air , so it dry's as well as blows. Chrome comes out totally shiney, no water track, nothing. Awesome.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: mr_magoo on April 21, 2005, 08:18:25 AM
Use our air force dryer any time I have to wash the bike alone, damn hands just ain't as small as the wifes.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Systems on April 21, 2005, 11:09:59 AM
Had one for years, works great, check into the units before you buy, If you order the VACUUM unit as opposed to just the blower, you get both ends to make it a vacuum or blower as opposed to just a blower with more attachments also with the vacuum. Only real difference is the longer hose on the blower unit, the vacuum hose is plenty long enough too and works very well. Best investment. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: TankerPig on June 02, 2007, 09:56:41 PM
I just ordered the Blaster Sidekick.  Only a 1.3hp motor, but it only cost me $88.95 from Gopartsdirect.com
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Smiler on June 03, 2007, 06:10:12 AM
i HAVE BEEN USING MINE FOR 3 YEARS, IT DEFINITELY GETS YOU BACK OUT ON THE ROADS QUICKER, :oops: and is great for clearing the water prior to detailing.
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: TCinVA on June 03, 2007, 12:26:11 PM
I don't recall the specifics, but my kids got me a "dryer" a few years back.  Twin motor, real long hose, filters on the intake ends, etc., etc.  Interesting thing, they called the "Air Force" folks and were told they could buy the same blower without the "Air Force" logos and accompanying "motorcycle" blower reputation, by purchasing one of the company's pet grooming blowers.  I think the entire kit (they had to purchase the "focus" nozzle and a couple of other things was around $175.  When I got it, I did some reading on the two units and sure enough - same HP, same everything, just a significantly lower cost for the pet blower (no - I don't blow my pets!).  Worth taking a look - and hey it's black!  Sorry dood - they don't make a chrome model.  ;)
From my perspective - it's a great purchase.  Significantly reduces time to wash and dry the bike.  Still hand detail when finished.
TC
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: Fired00d on June 03, 2007, 12:35:16 PM
Quote from: TCinVA on June 03, 2007, 12:26:11 PM
I don't recall the specifics, but my kids got me a "dryer" a few years back.  Twin motor, real long hose, filters on the intake ends, etc., etc.  Interesting thing, they called the "Air Force" folks and were told they could buy the same blower without the "Air Force" logos and accompanying "motorcycle" blower reputation, by purchasing one of the company's pet grooming blowers.  I think the entire kit (they had to purchase the "focus" nozzle and a couple of other things was around $175.  When I got it, I did some reading on the two units and sure enough - same HP, same everything, just a significantly lower cost for the pet blower (no - I don't blow my pets!).  Worth taking a look - and hey it's black!  Sorry dood - they don't make a chrome model.  ;)
From my perspective - it's a great purchase.  Significantly reduces time to wash and dry the bike.  Still hand detail when finished.
TC
Tony,
You are right they are cheaper and the same thing when you purchase them as pet dryers. They might not have chrome but they have orange. ;D
Metro Air Force Commander Dryers (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=nextag&cm_cat=mercent&cm_pla=datafeed&cm_ite=50428&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026059&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775253&bmUID=1178337625413)

(http://www.petsmart.com/media/ps/images/products/detail/standard/October05/50428_4e36f.jpg)

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: TCinVA on June 03, 2007, 04:42:09 PM
Gary,
I knew the orange would grab your attention  :huepfenlol2:.
Tony
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: grc on June 03, 2007, 10:14:34 PM
If you already own a good "shop vac", just do what I did.  I bought a 1-1/4" hose, crevice tool, and a reducer to fit the hose to the exhaust port on my Craftsman shop vac.  This hose is only used for drying the bike, so I don't have to worry about dirt in the hose being blown onto the paint, and the crevice tool is great for getting into the tight spots.  One of the specialized dryers may be a little handier (smaller) for those who want a mobile solution, but I personally like the idea of fully utilizing the tools I already own prior to adding to the clutter in the garage.

Jerry
Title: Re: Air Force Dryer
Post by: screem on June 16, 2007, 08:48:34 AM
My wife bought me an Air force Dryer for Xmass....It found it left a film and water spots also...for the money it cost...I sent it back to  J&P Cycle for a refund, which the they did promptley for me. I'm back to the old tried and true method, Ride the bike for the day...get home and wash it, dry it and put in the garage over night, next morning. get up and put a quick coat of wax or detailer on it and ride again!!!