Fast cheap way to dry semi trucks?

[KyleP]

Hey guys I've been doing a fairly small contract washing semis on the weekend for probably 6 months now and I wanted to start adding an option to dry the trucks.

Does anyone know a cheap...Fast!!...way to get the trucks dry?

Thanks

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[brondondolon]

A leaf blower will remove a big portion of the water

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[KyleP]

Good thinking. The problem if been having is that the lot they're parked on is pretty much just dirt and gravel and as soon as the semi dries its covered in dust and looks dirty.

Think a leaf blower will prevent that?

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[Mike Phillips]

Here's how we tackled this issue when we washed and dried the Meguiars Semi Truck...

Over 100 pictures in this thread...

Meguiar's Big Rig Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos!


After washing with the foam gun and rinsing in preparation to machine wax we didn't want to create any more work in the way of water spots on or in the paint.








To dry, I used our studio mops also with extendable handles and wrapped Guzzler Microfiber Drying Towels around the head to reach the high sections.










We had to all work as a team and work fast in order to work the soap, rinse the truck and then dry the truck before the sun could evaporate it.

In hind sight I should have placed CLEAN microfiber mop heads on the mop backing and this would have worked better to keep the Guzzlers in full contact with the paint.

Suffice to say, the way we did it still worked and it was fast too....

[ThomasonCarCare]

That is a beautiful semi. I always feel extremely short standing next to one of those.

[valeter]

Good thinking. The problem if been having is that the lot they're parked on is pretty much just dirt and gravel and as soon as the semi dries its covered in dust and looks dirty.

Think a leaf blower will prevent that?

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Please do not use a leaf blower (cold air anyway) any kind of blower will cause dust and all kinds of pollutants. just use several large microfibre towels. your customers will appreciate this more. They can be washed and re-used just for this purpose. I have a lot of experience detailing commercial vehicles. Only the cab needs to be dried.

[Mike Phillips]

Does anyone know a cheap...Fast!!...way to get the trucks dry?

Well Kyle.... what did you think of the idea?

[KyleP]

I think time wise a leaf blower makes sense. Its only me drying the trucks I don't have a team. Sounds like a good idea though with the towels around the mops.

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[rolop6]

Are you talking about just the truck or truck and trailer?
If it's just the truck I would not use a leaf blower, without a good wax on the truck it will still get water spots and take forever.
Try using one of those drying squegees along with a microfiber cloth.
If it's the truck and trailer you can use the squeegee and the method shown by Mike.
Remember these guys are truck drivers, most of them stop at those nasty truck washes anyway, so care to not induce swirls isn't of the utmost concern.
Your next option is to wash in sections ie: right side of the cab wash n dry, hood, windshield,fenders n dry, left side of cab n dry.
That's all I've got