what do you think of "The Blade" or the "Origional California Water Blade"? I've never been pleasesd with Chamois and usually use compressed air to dry the car

http://store.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/ccd-20002.jpg

I use one all the time - works great, You still have to dry of course but *most* of the excess water is gone.

Try to find 'em for less that $20 though.

Ive always wondered how those work. Do they conform to the contours of the car?

It looks like they work good I'm just hope it don't scratch

Originally posted by elwesso
Ive always wondered how those work. Do they conform to the contours of the car? To some extent they do. They're most efficient on flat areas such as hood, trunk, roof, sides, and glass. However, they're very soft and pliable and you can get *most* of the water drops off all areas making the chamois or towel work go much faster.

Originally posted by Dead Sled
It looks like they work good I'm just hope it don't scratch They're made of medical grade silicone and they don't scratch.

like implants? :D

what about streaks like you sometimes get on glass with other squeegies ... umm(sp?) :D

Originally posted by Dead Sled
like implants? :D

what about streaks like you sometimes get on glass with other squeegies ... umm(sp?) :D Yeah, just like fake titties :bouncy: :bouncy:. Not. Or more accurately, not anymore.

You spelling on squeegies is correct :) .

If you make sure the blade edges are clean, and use a steady, even pressure, there are rarely any streaks if ever.

good to know, thanks

squeegie is a funny word, can't believe me spelled it right

Originally posted by Dead Sled
squeegie is a funny word, can't believe me spelled it right :tisk: Squeegies is the plural of...squeegy. Shoulda quit while you were ahead :D .

DOH! :D lol what lanugage is it any way? and whats the origin?

so the verb form would be squeege on squeegying.

I though about gettin one through Summit

Save some bucks and pick one up at Wally World. I'm sure even Iowa has a Wally World. I got mine at Auto Zone for <$10.

Cedar Rapids has like three wally worlds :D I guess I've never noticed them there.

I've used one quite a few times....They work really well and you do have to towel dry afterwords but it really makes it easier!

I couldn't even wash a car anymore with out one of these. I work at a body shop and rental car place and detail alot of cars. If you know how to use it, you do not even really need a chamois. They don't even scratch fresh black paint.

They work pretty good. If I happen to use one, I do to get most of the water off very quickly. It's great for that. But, I still run a cloth over the car... It does save lots of time. However, I did have one complaint and I just can't remember what it was.. Anybody else have any complaints? Maybe it'll ring a bell for me...

I may have to make an investment in one. It would definitely reduce the amount of towels i have to use.

I got one of those silly cone jobs for a gift. I don't use it, don't have to! Maybe because of all the S-100 I have on the car. I rinse it without a nozzle on the hose, and the water just pulls itself off. I rinse it so it's wet all over the panel, and like I said, the water seems to pull itself off. I can get by with just a hand towel. Are you guys blasting it with a nozzle???

No nozzle....Works just the way you say. When the wax starts gettin' old I use the blade! Then a towel till I get the ambition to wax again!

These might not scratch when they are new... but after a few uses if they aren't taken care of they will start micro marring the surface. That said i have one, and use it, but only when i'm drying a car i'm prepping to do a big job on. if i am going to be removing swirls anyway then a little marring doesn't matter, though once a car is detailed there is no need for one of these. With the right hose technique you can dry a car about 95% if it has a coat of wax.

True! I take very good care of the thing and only use it occasionally. I always wondered what could happen if it got damaged in any way. The other thing I'm not to nuts about are those "California Car Dusters" I can't help but think that dragging all that dust across the finish can't be good for it!

actually, the dusters (CCD) work very well if they are taken care of. The main thing is to follow the instructions and let it sit on newspaper for 3-4 days when you get it new. Other than that it really does work better the dirtier it gets. A guy did a test with a really used one, with very high powered lights and a really good camera, and concluded that it doesn't scratch the surface. There are some products that seem to go against all that makes sense, but the results speak for themselfs. There is a product out there that you use to wash your car but don't need to rinse. The whol carwash phase, without the hose, sounds like it doesn't work, but it does... and very well at that.

So if you use the water blade a lot, you have to get a new one. What do you define as "taking care of it"

Originally posted by Dr. Jones These might not scratch when they are new... but after a few uses if they aren't taken care of they will start micro marring the surface. Well, isn't this true for any detailing tools - sponges, wash mitts, brushes, chamois, towels, waxing pads, clay bars, etc.?

Yes it is true! if you don't take care of your tools they will not work the way they were intended to. If you let them get dirty or gritty they will scratch or dull the finish. A friend of mine once dropped the sponge that he was using to wash his car with on the ground, picked it up and started washing again without even looking at the thing. Oh! what a surprise! he scratched his car with a small piece of grit that stuck to the sponge even though he dipped it in the wash bucket and squeezed it out!

still, what do you define as taking care of it.

there are directions that come with it

OK

Originally posted by Dead Sled
there are directions that come with it What do they say? - I don't recall ever reading directions with mine.

thats what i was asking

this was what a cardboard tag on my "case" for the CCD said:


ATTENTION
The Origional California Car Duster is designed to safely and effectively remove surface dust from your vehicle. Here are a few helpfull hints to help ready your Duster for years of flawless service.

[list=1]
Remove Duster from its procteve cellophane bag.
Set your Duster on a newspaper and let it air out for 48 hours.
Shake Duster vigorously before and after each use
[/list=1]

Untill the Duster is Properly "seasoned" (which happens after 2 or 3 uses), the Duster may leave minor streaks from excess paraffin wax. Do not be alarmed because the wax will not harm the finish of your vehicle, and can easily be wiped off. After 2 or 3 uses the Duster will work flawlessly, giving you outstanding results.

For maximum effectivenes, lightly dust the surface. Do not apply pressure and rub your vehicle or use Duster for scrubbing the finish. Use only on cool dry surfaces.

Remember, the dirtier your "Orrigional California Car Duster" gets the better it works!!!

It is not Recomended to dust off your cars hood immediately after driving--allow it to cool. Do not leave your Duster on fabrics or carpets, stains could result.

MADE IN KOREA

:banghead2 I thought you meant there were instructions for proper care of the California Water Blade. Doh!

I'd just wipe it dry and keep crap off the edge

:shrug:

sounds like a plan.

well thats my guess

I found the best deal for the Cal Water deals at Price Club (Costco), where they're about $12 each. Sometimes they have a 2/pack with a slightly smaller one for $19. I bought one of those and found a GREAT use for the smaller one.........now, don't knock it until you try it........


If you take showers, use it to dry off with! Works fairly well, takes off about 90% of the water and that way your towel stays almost dry! Sorry, but it does work! (Too many !!!!......I know.)


If you take baths, it'll still work, but you squeegee the water on the floor! Just like in Mexico.

I'm tryin' to picture that!.....So far it's not pretty! LOL!