The California Blade?

I love this thing, I hand wash my car and it is very hot/humid down here in this Texas sun so water tends to dry very quickly but the California Blade enables me to quickly remove vasts amounts of water without having it dry which makes spots.

In the end I do you a towel but that is just to pick up what little is left from removing it with the CB, plus I don't have to worry about using a Shamy (hope I spelled it right) in which you have to stop squeeze it out and not to mention if it picks up oil it tends to leave streaks on the glass and the paint.

I love my CB and it doesn't stratch the car like some would think simply because it is plastic and needs to be pressed against the surface of the car.

Try one, i guarantee it'll save you time drying.

 

Will give it a try

 

I'm wondering about one of these: Metro Vacuum MB3CD Air force Master Blaster 8-HP Motorcycle Dryer....300 bucks

 

water blade=fail...

that is an extremely EASY way to put scratches into your paint. Unless you get every single piece of dust and debris off of your vehicle. Im not necessarily talking about scratches down to the primer but mirco scratches that after awhile will dull your paint.

Better way to go is to use a leaf blower or that Metro Vacuum is a good way to go as well...

 

I have used the blade for around 5 years and love it as well. I typically use it most on all the windows and the roof.
I follow that up with a wipe down using brand a new micro fiber cloth that I pre rinse in clean water and wring out before using.

I agree with you that it works great. I have not noticed scratches as a result of this but you need to be careful in your washing process and clean the blade before using it

It doesnt sound like this would cause any more harm that wiping the car down with a clean cloth.

 

I've used one for over 10 years, however it only took me once to realize that using the water blade on your paint is a SERIOUS mistake. I washed and rinsed my old 1998 S10 pickup and still left scratches all over it. Since then, I only use it on the windows.

 

Another previous Dime owner

 

yea i never use this thing. i've always used my absorber

 

I'm not sure how you can get stratches when you just washed your car and as far as paint being dulled, then all I can tell you is that I've been using the CB since I first got my car nearly 3 years ago and my car still looks like new.

Microscratches can occur from the use of nearly anything you wipe against your car, whether it be a feather duster, a towel or whatever but if you're using a wax-based carwashing detergent for your car and you use a 100% cotton towel to blot (as opposed to wiping) dry your car then you will not even see any scratches at all.

If any chance you do see stratches just get a Claybar and/or wax and simply buff it out, not a big deal and you'll still be way ahead of a poor guy using a Shamy (he'll still be drying and squeezing out his while you're already dry applying Amourall to your tires).

 

Exactly!!

 

Sorry it stratched your whip, it hasn't done it to mine. I always ensure I clean the blade before using it and make sure that it is still soft/pliable because if it turns hard or has debris (sometimes they'll get algae and harden if not cleaned) then that's when they'll leave stratches).

 

Wax based car wash detergent? All are water based. And if your talking about the car washes that say "with caranuba"... Your sadly mistaken and I hope you don't think your car is protected.

But anyways your agreeing with me that the scratches and micromarring are still there so atleast you know.

And FYI claybars nor wax removes scratches and by saying this you are showing you have very little knowledge on the subject at hand. A claybar and your "wax based" car wash does nothing to them and a glaze or wax may HIDE them until your next wash but only a polish can truly remove them...

 

Agreed, you'd need something like Zaino Z-5 or Scratch-X in your cleaning process to remove the scratches and what not. Otherwise you're just filling them in with wax, which comes off after time.

 

Regarless, I never said I was a Knowitall like you seem to be on this situation; i just know that my car does not have any scratches on it. No need to act as if you're a College Professor regarding car care and try to use it to belittle someone simply because you believe it'll show scratches and I'm telling you that it doesn't (atleast not on my car).

 

OK. Well I am glad you are happy with it... and I am not belittling you. I feel like if you criticize anyone on this forum it is "belittling" or "making fun of" or "being an *******"...

learn to take criticism and LEARN from it.

I dont believe it... I KNOW it will. I have seen it numerous times on numerous different vehicles. Unless your paint is made from diamonds you most likely have micromarring on your paint from the water blade, and quite possibly have other paint defects from it. Yes, you can micromarr from using microfiber clothes ect...but wax and a claybar will not correct them like you said it would. So if people wouldnt post WRONG info there would be no reason to "belittle" people.

If I am ever wrong, I hope someone would call me out and let me know so i dont keep doing it.

 

Well, I'm calling you out; you're wrong about the the scratches, I don't see them on my car. End of story, have a nice day

 

Great! I will make sure i never buy a car you have washed.

On a side note and no I am not directing this post to you bk2k3max because you can continue to marr your paint and fill in those scratches with your wax based car wash and correct them with a clay bar ...HAVE A NICE DAY!

In high school when i worked with a construction company the guys who washed the surveying trucks used them... lets just say those trucks looked like **** when the sun hit em and they were white, couldnt even imagine what it would look like on a black vehicle. They were used strictly so the guys didnt have to towel dry the just swiped the water blade and it was done.

 

Thanks, but you don't have to worry because I'd never sell you a car anyway. On a sid note and I'am not directing this post to you maxxxxspeed; I knew this kindergarten kid that used to wash his toy car and the mother told him that he'd ruin the paint on it if he did that but oddly enough today that same kid is 18 and has that same car with no damage to the paint whatsoever.

Even moms can be wrong every now and then.

 

I'm glad. But you will never learn...

Learn to take criticism. And learn from it. Just cause your 18 and think you know it all. You don't trust me. I learned the hard way.

 

But really this thread is done and I'm done. Hope your car stays beautiful! And remember polish not clay bar. But u should know that though you know everything...

 

so where does one get this California blade? I really hate stooping and if it has a handle, might just be the ticket for me.

 

here ya go...

google is your friend BTW

http://www.amazon.com/Original-Calif.../dp/B00008RW9X

 

My bad, I use this board for the empirical not the subjective for the most part.....I should have said, At which "BRICK AND MORTAR" did you get your California Blade? I would like to see one in person (not pictures) before I make up my mind.

 

 

LtLeary - the link below says many WalMarts apparently carry the "Jelly" blade - which is a huge improvement over the original water blade. I have both - and haven't used the water blade since getting the jelly blade.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Origin...i_sku=14294922

 

Was told not to use the blade...as any dirt, etc that still is in/on the paint would then get squeegeed across the car and can cause scratches...

 

Just the same or worse dragging a chamois or MF towel across the surface.

 

No way is it the same as a MF the MF actually has nap to it where dust and dirt can get trapped away from the paint... With the water blade that is not the case...and if you want to get really into keeping your car swirl and scratch free... blot with a MF or get an "Airwand" that hooks up to your leaf blower or other type of vacuum that can be switched to be a blower. It works just like the ones at the car washes.

 

I tried the water blade. Was not at all impressed with the performance. Still left water drops here and there that had to be wiped off with a towel anyway. If you hit a dry area the blade drags - it didn't feel right to me.

Now I use the "Absorber" synthentic chamois. I find it takes less time to dry than the water blade. I also found that no matter how carefully I washed the car the Absorber still shows areas of dirt that I missed that I would not to drag around with a blade.

 

Wow, I'm not sure what went wrong here to make someone who thinks they know me turn this into some sort of argument and start calling me an 18 year old but you really need to lighten up Bro.

You're way out of line and way too upset to start calling people who are older than you 18.

If you want to fight with me then send me a Private Message but don't ruin this forum with your childish antics and disrespect.

 

You said you were 18 bro... or atleast in your "story" you were 18. My bad bro. BTW I am not your bro, bro. If anyone needs to grow up it is you. Take criticism with a grain of salt. If you want to learn from it learn from it dont get all defensive and whine and try to come back with your cute little stories. I dont need to get into a pissing match with you and PM you to "fight" haha... that aint fighting that is sitting behind a computer screen *****ing at each other which gets you no where... no disrespect tho. Your the one who coped and attitude first if I can read correctly. All I did was point out you were WRONG about something (your clay bar and wax based car wash correcting your paint) and saying that most have had bad experience with the water blade from what I have read on other forums... So if anyone is acting childish it is you not being able to handle someone correcting you. This is getting no where and it wont, so lets move on. YOUR RIGHT! do you feel better?

Back to the topic at hand. Looks like there are a few who use them and a few who dont... maybe I will try to get some sort of panel and do a test side to side with the California water blade and just a normal MF towel. Using a Sun Gun and a florescent light we can try to see what is actually going on. I will try to get 3 different painted panels and tape them down the middle. let them sit outside for a few days. wash them. and then do one side with the CB and the other with a MF.

A really good detailing site is f150online.com... they have an EXTENSIVE detailing forum with 2 or 3 guys that have extensive experience in the detailing world and have owned and tested a TON of products, I have wondered that site since I was 15 when I owned my first truck. I have always gotten PERFECT results with their help.

 

just so you can see the sequence of childish and disrespectful comments that started this pissing match... Looks like YOU coped the attitude defending, when all I was trying to do was correct your statement about the clay bar and wax based car wash...but who cares, lets move on...again good luck. Hope everything works out for you.

 

We can move on after this: I made a joke and used a laughing Smilie about you being a KnowitAll and from there you started Downhill Skiing with insults:

I didn't believe that was a necessary statement to make and I had my say on it and then let it be but you continued rolling on and on like the Energizer Bunny, then you made a story to which I retorted with one of my own and then you said the following things (all very disrespectful):

All of which was uncalled for and yet I went away for a day and came back and you had this to say:

So it appears from the beginning that you were the one who took offense to my joke and it just got worse from that point on, I never said i was 18, go and reread the story and you'll see for yourself.

Anyway, I'm a big enough man to admit when I'm wrong but I guess you didn't see the Laughing Smilie and that's when the tirade started. If it offended you then that was not the intent but I just feel like you could've leftout the very first statement about whether or not I know about cleaning a car, that wasn't necessary to get your point across.

I'm cool with whatever from this point, you can stay angry or whatever but i did not come here for that, I've been a member of Maxima.org for several years starting in the 5th Gen forum and I've been one of the members here that many people have befriended and often ask me to help them with stuff to which I always oblige.

No hard feelings, a little misunderstanding and everything is all good.

Back to the topic at a hand.

 

Many Thanks! I'll stop by Wally's World and see if I can find one.

 

I have used one for years after learning the BMW shop that my dad works at used them. I used an absorber for many years but found out that many of them strip the wax off of your paint.

 

Well it appears that for every one good thing we find out about a product someone can find some fault with it but I guess it is to each his own then.

If you desire speed and just a little touch up drying and not necesarily worried if there's a possibility of getting microscratches in your paint then the CB is for you but if you desire the chance of possibly having wax stripped off of your paint then maybe the Absorber is for you-either way I think they both save you time in drying your car and having to worry about water spots and whatnot.

 

I bought a Master Blaster dryer for my motorcycle. Works great on the car too.