Dry your car properly!

MAKITA DUB185Z vs. "Mini-Blower"

Proper drying after a car wash is often an underestimated step in car care. Although you may think that water beading is sufficient, incorrect drying can lead to water stains and scratches.

These can affect the paintwork over a longer period of time and lead to faster corrosion in the cracks. In this article, we explain why car drying is so important and show you in comparison how you can achieve perfect results with a blower.

Why dry the car after washing?

After a thorough car wash, the Drying the vehicle a crucial step. However, many car owners overlook the importance of this process and simply leave their car to air dry. But why is drying so important?

Water stains can leave unsightly marks on the paintwork, especially if the water contains minerals.
Water remaining in the small cracks and crevices can lead to corrosion in the long term.
High risk when trying to remove these stains with a cheap or unclean microfiber cloth → Scratches!

INFO BOX:

Of course, a clean and fresh microfiber cloth is still a good way to dry your car. The problem, however, is keeping the cloths clean and dust-free.

Inadequate care of the microfiber cloths also means inadequate car care. In worse cases, this even means scratches in the paintwork.
This is precisely why the car dryer blower comes into play here.

Car drying with blower
Dry your car properly with a fan

Drying the car with a blower - advantages/disadvantages

I'm sure we can all agree on one thing. Drying the car is the most boring part the entire car care process. It's just no fun and you always run the risk of damaging the car. minimal scratching.

Scratched car caused by microfiber cloths
Mini scratches due to insufficiently maintained microfiber cloths

For this reason, the use of a Blower increasingly popular. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional Method with the microfiber cloth.

Pros:

100% DrynessA blower also blows away water in hard-to-reach places such as cracks and crevices, which is often not possible with a microfiber cloth.
No scratches!: As the blower works without contact, there is no risk of scratching the paintwork.
The device is handy and smallModern blowers are compact and easy to handle, which makes them pleasant to use. They are also easy to stow away.
No cloths need to be washedUnlike cloths, which have to be washed every time they dry, a blower is ready to use again immediately.
Easier drying than with a microfiber clothHandling a blower is less strenuous than drying with a cloth, especially on large cars.
Versatile in useIn addition to drying the car, the blower can also be used for other purposes such as lighting a barbecue or blowing leaves.

Cons:

Costs more than microfiber clothsThe fact is that a high-quality blower costs more than a conventional microfiber cloth.
Battery sometimes only available separatelyMany blowers, such as the Makita model, are sold without a battery and charger, which incurs additional costs.

Which cordless blower is the best?

The market is full of different air blowers, but more is often promised than is actually delivered. But which blower is the best for drying a car?

In your search for the right product, you will come across many cheap China products which often do not perform as well as expected. For this reason, we purchased just such a Chinese blower to compare it with our actual recommended product.

The two battery-powered blowers are the Mini blower Smiling Shark J-01 Pro and the DUB185Z Car drying air blower from the well-known Makita brand. Why the Makita blower is better and why you shouldn't always rely on the Promotional videos for the mini blowers on TikTok and Instagram in the following chapters.

Test winner!
MAKITA DUB185Z
Smilling Shark J-01 Pro
Makita cordless blower 18 V (without battery, without charger), blue, black, pack of 1 *
Smiling Shark Electric Dust Blower and Compressed Air Spray, J-01 Pro 130000 RPM Stepless Speed Air Duster Rechargeable Cordless Aluminum for Keyboards/PC/BBQ/Car/Camping (J01-BK) *
FREE delivery
Amazon Prime
Max. air speed:

98 m/s
Max. air speed:

30 m/s
Battery:

Purchase battery separately (18V Makita battery)
Battery:

4000 mA battery included
Suitable for car wash (high performance)
Not suitable for car washing (too weak)
Test winner!
MAKITA DUB185Z
Makita cordless blower 18 V (without battery, without charger), blue, black, pack of 1 *
FREE delivery
Max. air speed:

98 m/s
Battery:

Purchase battery separately (18V Makita battery)
Suitable for car wash (high performance)
Smilling Shark J-01 Pro
Smiling Shark Electric Dust Blower and Compressed Air Spray, J-01 Pro 130000 RPM Stepless Speed Air Duster Rechargeable Cordless Aluminum for Keyboards/PC/BBQ/Car/Camping (J01-BK) *
Amazon Prime
Max. air speed:

30 m/s
Battery:

4000 mA battery included
Not suitable for car washing (too weak)

The Smilling Shark J-01 Pro in the test!

Small and handy - always ready to hand!
Can also be used to inflate inflatables & hoses
Power too low for car drying
Poor price/performance ratio - expensive compared to Makita
No adapter for charging - just a USB cable
Air permeability too low (air only reaches a small area of the surface)

Whether on Amazon, on Temu or on Wish. These small, promising blowers are available almost everywhere. They usually come with a hefty price tag (approx. €80), a long delivery time (as they come from China) and promise a lot of power.

Before we came to the Smilling Shark, we had another similar product on the table. However, this original China blower was quickly sent back as it failed after several charging attempts. could not be switched on at all.

Fan not working - Air duster returned
1st attempt with mini blowers - device does not work

Nevertheless, we gave the mini blowers a chance and bought the Smiling Shark J-01 Pro. This model is elegantly packaged, the housing is made of aluminum and lo and behold: It even works!

Mini blower J01-Pro from Smilling Shark
2nd test with mini blowers - J01-PRO in the test

The joy didn't last long, however, because after the first attempt to dry our Mercedes sedan, we quickly reached for the usual microfiber cloth again. Why? The blower simply doesn't have the powerto completely dry a sedan. With this appliance you need at least 1 hourto blow the water off the car. This is of course understandable given the size of the car.

The device claims to have a speed of 130,000 rpm, which we strongly doubt. Even if it is the truth, this speed is useless, because the air passage is simply too small is.

The blower is certainly well suited for Making a fire on the barbecue, blowing things up and, if necessary, blow away small crumbs somewhere. This blower is suitable for drying (and all other mini air dryers from the advertisements) definitely not.

Advantages/disadvantages of mini blowers
The Smilling Shark J01-Pro summarized

Technical details:

Manufacturer: Smilling Shark
Model number: J01-BK
Product dimensions.7.8 x 7.8 x 12.6 cm
Material: Aluminum
Noise level: k. A.
Speed: 130,000 revolutions per minute (unbelievable)
Weight with battery: 285 g
Max. air speed: 30 m/s
Battery: 4000 mAh battery included
Offer
Smiling Shark Electric Dust Blower and Compressed Air Spray, J-01 Pro 130000 RPM Stepless Speed Air Duster Rechargeable Cordless Aluminum for Keyboards/PC/BBQ/Car/Camping (J01-BK) *
  • 【𝗕𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗻 & 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝟮-𝗶𝗻-𝟭】New accessory upgrades for more versatility. Simply swap out the accessory head to upgrade the inflate/deflate function....
  • 【𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗴】 Say goodbye to step switch mode and fixed wind speed, simply slide the switch to the right position and...
  • 【𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗚𝗲𝗵ä𝘂𝘀𝗲】J-01 PRO is made of an aluminum alloy that is effectively waterproof and corrosion-resistant....
  • 【𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗸𝗸𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗳𝘇𝗲𝗶𝘁 & 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻】Taking into account the size and weight...

Makita DUB185Z cordless blower (test winner)

More power than its competitors
Larger air passage
Very good workmanship and easy operation
No emissions and no maintenance required
Costs the same as a Chinese blower
Batteries from Makita tools can be used
Battery and charger must be purchased separately
Fan is loud but not disturbingly loud

Now we come to the Winner of the comparison. The blower from Makita may not have fancy packaging, but it really impresses with its Quality and manageability.

The Makita DUB185Z Cordless blower is known for its high performance and can be regulated in three adjustable stages. Drying off the car is surprisingly easy with this blower Fast and above all effective.

MAKITA DUB185Z Packaging
Makita DUB185Z - Packaging

The power that you lacked in the previously mentioned mini blower can be found in this Makita appliance. Its compact size and low weight make it ideal for use in the Car care or in the workshop. The rubberized handle offers more comfort when working and simply sits perfectly and correctly in the hand. The rubber extension is removable and also makes the tool relatively easy to store - for example in the Underbody of the trunk.

The price/performance ratio is also unbeatable, especially when compared with the "mini blowers". The device is simple -> switch on, blow. For this reason, there is not much more to say. The special feature of this blower in particular, however, is that it also actually delivers what it promises in terms of performance and benefits. In the world of air blowers, that alone is already a big plus.

Car drying with Makita DUB185Z blower
Car drying with Makita DUB185Z blower

Technical details:

Manufacturer: Makita
Model number: DUB185Z
Product dimensions.51.7 x 15.6 x 21 cm
Material: Hard plastic
Noise level: 94 dB
Speed: 18,000 revolutions per minute
Weight without battery: 1.4 kg
Max. air speed: 98 m/s
Battery: not included (see next chapter)
Air delivery volume: 3.2 m³/min
Blowing power: 3,1 N
Offer
Makita cordless blower 18 V (without battery, without charger), blue, black, pack of 1 *
→ Supplied in a box without battery, without charger, without case

→ Very powerful and handy

→ Professional tool, brand quality

→ Made from high-quality hard plastic

Which batteries fit the Makita DUB185Z blower?

Since the battery has to be purchased separately, the question arises, Which batteries are compatible with the blower. You probably have one of these batteries too already at home.

18V battery for Makita tool (BL185B)
The BL1850B. Li-ion battery suitable for the blower and many other tools

Fortunately, the blower is compatible with the most popular 18V batteries of the LXT series. If you have a Makita tool at home that is powered by an 18V battery, then this battery will also fit this blower. You will find the correct designations of all compatible batteries in the following list:

BL1820B, Li-Ion, 18 V, 2.0 Ah
BL1830B, Li-Ion, 18 V, 3.0 Ah
BL1850B, Li-Ion, 18 V, 5.0 Ah
BL1860B, Li-Ion, 18 V, 6.0 Ah

If you don't have one of these batteries or a charger at home, we recommend buying this set:

BATTOOL 2 x 18V 5500mAh replacement battery for Makita 18V battery with DC18RC charger Compatible with BL1860 BL1860B BL1850 BL1850B BL1840 BL1830 BL1820 LXT400 DC18RA DC18RC DC18RD... *
  • 【About the battery】Li-ion; voltage 18V; capacity 5.5Ah|Replacement for 18V batteries BL1860, BL1860B, BL1850, BL1850B, BL1840, BL1840B, BL1830, BL1830B, BL1815, BL1825, BL1825, BL1840B, BL1830B, BL1815,...
  • 👍【About the charger】Input voltage 100V ~ 260V, 50-60Hz, output voltage 14.4V ~ 18V, charging current 3A | Compatible with DC18RD DC18RC DC18SF Charger compatible with BL1830 BL1840 BL1840...
  • 👍【Multiple protection】The battery, no memory effect, can be charged or discharged as required without loss of capacity. Deep discharge, overcharge, over-discharge and short-circuit protection for a longer...
  • 🎁【Service】12 months quality service. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We will reply you within 24 hours. We will do our best to provide you with a...

Although these recommended batteries are not from Makita, they will do the job just like any other 18-volt battery! Otherwise you would have to pay for a Makita battery plus charger for more money than for the blower itself. These batteries naturally also have a Deep discharge and overcharge protection.

How long does the battery last on the DUB185Z?

The data sheet shows that in continuous operation with an 18V battery with 3.0 ampere hours, the blower lasts for 13 minutes on the highest setting. With a 5.0 ampere-hour battery is already 21 minutes in continuous operation.

This means that even with a 3.0 Ah battery can easily dry your car for 20 minutesas you are not constantly pulling the trigger.

In our experience two complete dryings of a sedan at 20 degrees ambient temperature before you have to recharge the battery. The BL1850B 5.0 ampere-hour battery was used in this experience test.

Areas of application & instructions

The blower can of course Universal for all purposes can be used. Here we list a few special areas of application that you may not have thought of.

Drying after the car wash
Blowing away leaves in the fall
Light a campfire or barbecue
Blowing dirt out of gutters
Keeping workstations, workbenches and tools clean
Cleaning of terraces (e.g. cleaning of pollen)
Areas of application: Car drying with blower
Drying the car, blowing leaves or cleaning the workbench

Using the Makita DUB185Z is very simple. After washing the car, switch the blower to the Maximum level and start blowing the water off the bodywork. As with conventional drying with a microfiber cloth, it is recommended that you always to dry downwards away from the roof.

Instructions: Plug in the battery, adjust the power, dry the car
Easy use of the blower

The fan is particularly effective in areas such as Mirrors, headlights, door handles and other difficult to access Cracks and creviceswhere water tends to collect.

Conclusion: Dry your car with a blower from Makita!

For all those who love their car and want it in best possible condition want to keep the Makita Air blower DUB185Z * almost an indispensable tool. To summarize, drying a car with a blower offers many advantages.

It enables thorough drying, without running the risk of scratching the paintwork. The device is easy to use and has revolutionized car care. In addition, it can also be used in many other areas.

The Costs are somewhat higher than a conventional drying towel, but the possibilities and comfort are at least as high.

Car drying with Makita DUB185Z blower
Car drying with Makita DUB185Z blower a hit

The only real disadvantage The battery must be purchased separately if you don't already have one lying around at home. In our opinion, however, you can turn a blind eye to this.

See for yourself!

Offer
Makita cordless blower 18 V (without battery, without charger), blue, black, pack of 1 *
→ Supplied in a box without battery, without charger, without case

→ Very powerful and handy

→ Professional tool, brand quality

→ Made from high-quality hard plastic


* Affiliate links are marked with a *. When you purchase one of these products, we receive a small commission. Nothing changes for you and the offer/price remains the same. You can find more information about affiliate links here.

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