Water blades

David Fermani said:
Have you noticed any marring or isolated scratches from them? How are you using them (workflow)?
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I havent witnessed any type of scratching or marring and I've used them since I started professionally detailing 5 years ago. I use the same method pro window cleaners use.
 
RaskyR1 said:
It can definitely happen with towels too, but they will most likely be far less severe since towels have a longer nap and offer cushion for that spec of sand to settle back into the towel.
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I would also consider the fact that the techniques for these two different types of products may not necessarily be the same. For example, when using a WW I may blot and/or use gentle, relatively short strokes. With these squeegee-like blades, the idea (if I’m not mistaken) is to move the tool the length of the panel in one continuous motion.



I’m not saying the use of a blade is a guarantee that you will cause damage (it’s obvious some folks here are getting good results with them) but IMO a WW seems like a choice I would be more comfortable with (personally). Having said that, these days I use DI water and forced air 99% of the time. ….and WW or plush MF (with a QD/QW) for isolated drips/spots, etc.
 
Kean said:
I would also consider the fact that the techniques for these two different types of products may not necessarily be the same. For example, when using a WW I may blot and/or use gentle, relatively short strokes. With these squeegee-like blades, the idea (if I’m not mistaken) is to move the tool the length of the panel in one continuous motion.



I’m not saying the use of a blade is a guarantee that you will cause damage (it’s obvious some folks here are getting good results with them) but IMO a WW seems like a choice I would be more comfortable with (personally). Having said that, these days I use DI water and forced air 99% of the time. ….and WW or plush MF (with a QD/QW) for isolated drips/spots, etc.
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Master Blaster FTW! :thumb:
 
Bill D said:
Besides, can't running a blade on paint remove an ever so slight amount of wax or sealant?
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Theoretically, I would guess everytime something touches the paint, the LSP is altered to the slightest degree and I can't see the blade altering it much more.
 
The blade can dislodge bonded contaminants and if it gets between the rubber and the paint it may leave an unwanted scratch. Sure you can dislodge this with a plush drying towel too but the towel has a place to hold it in the deep nap without a lot of pressure on the paint. If you dry properly with the low flow sheeting method and blotting what remains with the drying towel you avoid this risk anyway. Air is also safer. Using a combination of leaf blower and air gun you can avoid this this risk entirely. I only needed to experience the marring of a water blade once to know I'd never use one again on paint.
 
Noting that I'm something of a fanatic about my wash regimen, I used to use a water blade. Started with a foam one from Brookstone back in the '80s and switched to the silicon ones after a few years. I could usually go many, *many* washes without the blade contributing to any marring, but once in a while I *would* get a fairly long, sweeping scratch from it.



Now-a-days, I simply won't risk that type of marring if I can avoid it. Not ever. Period. [Stuff] happens readily enough without such risky behaviour.



Note that the blade is typically used with long, sweeping motions along with a modicum of pressure (gotta keep the blade's edge conformed to the contours of the vehicle), a combination I consider risky. If, or should I say "when", I do eventually get some marring, I sure don't want it to be somewhat deep and many inches long in a gentle arc that's readily visible from numerous viewing angles :grinno:
 
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