Best Blower for Drying Your Car
Using a blower to dry your car is one of the safest ways to avoid swirl marks and water spots—especially when done right. In this post, we put the popular Ryobi cordless blower to the test and answer the big question: is it the best blower for car drying?
Why Use a Blower to Dry Your Car?
Traditional towel drying runs the risk of dragging leftover dirt across your paint, no matter how careful you are. A blower gives you a safe, touchless way to remove water—especially from mirrors, emblems, wheels, and crevices that love to drip after a wash.
What We Tested: Ryobi 18V Cordless Leaf Blower
We tested the Ryobi 18V cordless blower in real-world wash conditions after using The Super Soaper and rinsing with a pressure washer. It delivered powerful airflow, was lightweight, and ran long enough to dry an entire car on one battery.
Pros of the Ryobi 18V Blower for Car Drying
- Compact and cordless—no cord dragging around your paint
- Good power for drying door handles, badges, and side mirrors
- Quieter than full-size leaf blowers
- Battery platform is widely available (works with other Ryobi tools)
Cons of the Ryobi 18V Blower
- Not as powerful as corded blowers or dedicated car dryers
- May struggle to move water on unprotected paint
How to Get the Best Results with Any Blower
Using a blower on a bare surface can be frustrating. Water clings. But when your car is protected with a coating like Tough As Shell, water beads and sheets—making it much easier to blow off. Add in The Super Soaper as your wash soap, and you’re creating the perfect conditions for touchless drying.
Get Tough As Shell or find it on Amazon
Pro Tip for Touchless Drying
Always blow top to bottom, use compressed air or blower attachments for tight spots, and follow up with a drying aid or detail spray if needed for a final gloss boost.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a convenient, budget-friendly option for safe car drying, the Ryobi 18V cordless blower checks a lot of boxes. It’s not the most powerful blower out there, but when paired with the right wash soap and surface protection, it works exceptionally well.
And most importantly—it helps you dry your car without touching the paint.
Watch the Ryobi Blower in Action
Featured Products
- The Super Soaper – High Foaming Car Wash Soap or on Amazon
- Tough As Shell – Ceramic Spray Coating or on Amazon
- Ryobi 18V Cordless Blower – available on Amazon
