California Water Blade

[Picky1]

I have an older CA Water Blade in my garage (one with the purple handle) and I have often used it after washing to get the heavy water off of my car before drying the car with a MF towel. What do you all think of this product and other squeegees?



When I first started using the CA Water Blade I was concerned about hurting the finish but I figured if the car is clean and waxed and the blade is clean then everything should be OK....THOUGHTS?

 

[Dan]

Its a fine tool until it picks up a speck of dirt, then the fun is over. A leaf blower is faster, gets water out of crevices and is safer.

 

[Chas]

I have always stayed away from products like that because, like you said, there can be the potential for marring or scratching the paint. If you have enough protection on the car you can do the "dry by water" method which is basically making a small stream of water flow off the paint which can actually reduce the amount of water collected on the panels. You can also use something like a blower, for instance I use the Metro Side Kick to blow water off then I follow up with a waffle weave to get trace amounts of water left. Then there is using a quality microfiber waffle weave or other absorbent towel to dry the car.

 

[tom p.]

What do you all think of this product and other squeegees?

Great for glass, never on the painted surface of a car I like.

 

[togwt]

Water Blade:



The best-known US brand is The Original California Jelly Blade 2010 Version (equivalent UK Autoglym Hydra-Blade) is made of medical-grade silicone, which is very soft and flexible; it will not scratch the paint in and of itself. It can be used to remove water after washing the vehicle without causing scratches by applying very little surface pressure with the blade, wiping with long strokes in one direction only. The blade is preceded by water, much like detailer’s clay; this cushion of water should protect the surface against scratches, especially if you use a drying aid (Dodo Juice USA Time to Dry) to provide surface lubrication



If there is any grit left on the car after washing, the blade may pick it up and drag it across the paint, much the same as a towel would, this can be avoided by wiping the blade with a clean damp towel after every pass.



The water blade should be protected when not in use. If it is crushed in storage, the edge may take a set and leave a stripe of water on the car, the water blade comes with a protective plastic case, use it for blade storage.



Like any tool, the water blade does require a little bit of technique and practice. The first few times I used mine, it tended to chatter on the surface, resulting in incomplete drying. It turns out this is eliminated by using just the right angle, and pressure on a wet blade. Smoothness can also be affected by the surface condition of the paint (wax, sealant oxidation, etc.) and any coating that might be on the water blade itself.



I will add that I now only use this tool on glass surfaces, but that’s just over cautious OCD me



Caution: do not use a water blade to remove rainwater as there could be road grit on the paint surface or the rain may contain impurities that could scratch the paint.

 

[Accumulator]

I don't even use mine on glass very often; scratches in glass are usually forever.

 

[Bill D]

So far I'm biting the bullet using it on glass but my vehciles really don't get dirty enough to have to worry about grit possibly being present. The Florida environment is good that way.



Remember, you can use the balde around the house, walk-in shower enclosures are excellent to use them on.

 

[imported_shineon]

Ive used these for several years now without problems . You just have to wipe it down between passes and make sure that your wash jobs are thorough and well rinsed. I do have exceptions such as high end private owned vehicles simply because i dont want to take that chance, i keep mine in my wash bucket along with an old sham-wow to wipe it off between passes. (yes i bought a shamwow set ,no they dont work very well for drying but come in handy for handwashing wheels and lower parts of the car.

 

[Accumulator]

Remember, you can use the balde around the house, walk-in shower enclosures are excellent to use them on.

Accumulatorette uses one to wipe down her shower. Won it in a Jag Club raffle and people were wondering why I wanted that thing when I tell folks not to use 'em.

You just have to wipe it down between passes ...I do have exceptions such as high end private owned vehicles simply because i dont want to take that chance..

Of course, wiping it down between passes won't help if you pick up some grit in the middle of a pass



Sorry, couldn't resist. Hey, I used CWBs for *years*, and I used a Brookstone "foam blade" before that. A few nasty "oops!" incidents finally convinced me I was on the wrong track.