Paint Safe Squeegees

[NoName]

So who's using these water blade things?
I'd love to get most of the water off as advertised for less
dry time But don't know if it's a gimick like the crap
"Mr. Clean spot free wash" : (Total garbage)

What'd you guys think of these things? Dangerouse?
I guess if they really worked everyone would use it, right?

[SquiderM3]

Waffle weave micro fibre cloths work incredibly well, not the quickest though.

[adsingl]

the california water blade works well, there's probably knock-offs that do well, but I like the design/firmness combo. ***HOWEVER*** If you're fanantic about no scratches, consider: These can pick up pinhead gravel/metal shaving/whatever and cause a scratch. My brother had this happen, showed me the scratch on his truck. I still use one, but I run my fingers the length of the blade (one swipe between index&thumb to get both sides) like religion to ensure I haven't picked something up.

[David]

I have one and did get scratches from it. The concept is a good one, but in practice it is not the best. I would use a waffleweave mf. Takes more time, but there is less chance of scratching the paint.

[aeryk7]

Works like a champ using mine for almost a year and never had any scratches. But i dont do the whole car per-say i only do major areas like the roof, windows , hood ,fenders and doors from the window sill dragging the water down to the black side moldings. If you do areas where there could be serious dirt like bumpers and lower half of the door to side skirts you will probably end up with scratches from allowing rougher dirt and such from getting onto the blade then removing water from another place. I also wipe the water from the blade after every motion i do this to clear water and to check for anything that could scratch the paint.


1. Gotta wash your car good before using it and hose off surface real good before you dry it.
2. Make sure there is no rough edges on the blade by running your fingers down the blades after it is wetted by the hose .
3. Something i do, is i have a soap water mixture the kind of soap that when you wash your car the water runs off when you wash it. i put some on the blade to make it i guess work more effective and to have something to make me feel like i would be less damage if i was doing any to the paint.

Another key is that you dont have to put much pressure on the blade just lay it so the edge is touching the paint/ windshield and pretty much just drag it with a little down force ,you dont really need any flex in the rubber lip for it to work good.

[Dnz]

I wouldnt do it. Especially if ya got a black car. Get some MF towels..

[BMW4L1F3]

I have always done the whole running the hose with it on low and without the sprayer on it. then i use the MF towel, it does a PERFECT job, and I dont even use a waffle weave...its wonderful

[revenson10]

I use the blade.
No issues. Then use the Black-n-Decker leaf blower for the rest. Works like a charm.

[Steve530]

I have always done the whole running the hose with it on low and without the sprayer on it. then i use the MF towel, it does a PERFECT job, and I dont even use a waffle weave...its wonderful

Yea, me too. I picked up the tip from Davids mega-post. It works so well that I only need one small towel for the car plus the cotton towel for door jambs etc.

Years ago, I lived next to a guy that did this every time he washed his car. I never understood why he did that. He also had a great hose nozzle that had a rubber hose over the end. When he pressed on the side of the hose, the water would flow and would stop when he released it. I wish I could find one of those nozzles, but searches have been futile.

[adsingl]

I've seen the hose nozzle mentioned in a Griot's catalogue that is probably 2 years old now, didn't call to see if they still carried, also can't find one on the net.

[Ken318]

I have a black car and have no problems with a water blade.

[liquidtiger720]

i use the water blade when i get lazy =) hehe

[bmwm3n528]

Leaf blower / Absorber / Terry Towels

[phatfarm]

There will ALWAYS be dust in the air. Which means u will be putting scratches in your paint (u might not be able to see them). I used to use one and polish my car twice a year.

Now I use the hose method to get most of the water off and pat dry with a cotton towel. Noticed less microscratches on the paint.

[magnetic1]

I've seen the hose nozzle mentioned in a Griot's catalogue that is probably 2 years old now, didn't call to see if they still carried, also can't find one on the net.

If you goto Home Depot and go look in the sprayer section, you can find a hose end with shut off valve. You turn a knob and it turns the water to full flow or shuts it off.

Looks like this:

[Bread]

I use my 240v air compressor, but sometimes I wonder if a leaf blower might be better? I like the compressor because the air is filtered, so I don't have to worry about crap in the air sandblasting my paint. Perhaps I could construct a K&N filter for the intake on the leaf blower I'd be set!