Been reading the Zaino thread, and came across these: http://www.californiacardusters.com/jellyblade.html Has anyone ever used them? I'm a little skeptical about how they "Will not scratch even the most delicate surfaces (including the paint on your vehicle) (including glass and tile). "... especially after reading the Zainostore site's blurb on using only specific brand name 100% white cotton towels from specific retailers. Just looking for experience and/or opinions at this point... Also the California Dusters (someone on here I remember reading uses them) Thanks...
I use one on my shower every morning! They are really great squeegees. As for the "can't scratch paint" claim, that is certainly true to a point. The blade is a very soft elastomer and it isn't going to scratch anything. HOWEVER... If you have grit on your car I could see it taking a bite out of your paint if you use the blade over it. Still, I have used the squeegee on my cars and I don't see any damage. But I don't own black cars (remember: black on a car isn't a color -- its a hobby). My white Prius still looks fine after being waterbladed a couple of times.
My experience is that The Water Blade works great for getting most of the water off fast, but you will still need to go over the car again with whatever you use for a final dry !!!
I have scratched a car with it. By itself, it won't scratch a car, but if it catches grit, all bets are off. I prefer microfiber only now simply because it's softer and can "catch" the grit out of the way. It works great in the bathroom and kitchen though whereI think it's much more useful, and less able to cause damage.
I have two of them that my uncle gave me. My husband won't let me touch the Prius with them. As using them on the Prius would mean that I would, you know, have to participate in washing it, I haven't fought him on it
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ohgreys @ Aug 12 2006, 10:00 PM) [snapback]302376[/snapback]</div> Cloud with a silver lining kinda deal, huh?
I've been using the original California Water Blade for years with great results. The soft silicone blade removes water safely, and makes for faster drying work with a synthetic chamois like the Absorber. As with any product being moved across your cars painted surfaces, all grit should be removed first. If this is done by washing you should have no problems!
I have also used the "California" water blade with great results. I wash a black pickup truck and use the water blade to remove the majority of water and dry the balance with cotton towels. This is the only way I've ever washed that truck and in 5 years and I have never scratched the paint surface. I can't imagine why there would be grit on a just washed vehicle. :blink:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Aug 13 2006, 08:46 AM) [snapback]302537[/snapback]</div> Not digging the Autodry because it doesn't work so well. I've got a very nice car collection and my washer only uses an autoblade to dry them, then a synthetic chamois. My Prius is black, as is 2 other of our cars. None have any damage to them from the autoblade. However it is definitely important to wash the car first - and really wash it not just "a quickie". The company that washes my cars is called MG Automobility here in Vancouver http://www.mgautomobility.ca You can email them and ask them all about the blade if you want
Thanks for the repsponses. Seems like they're okay with the only caveat being leaving no grit on the car after washing; otherwise jelly blade becomes sandpaper. I think I'll order it and give it a try, then post my own experiences after a few uses. Thanks again, everyone!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Aug 13 2006, 08:46 AM) [snapback]302537[/snapback]</div> I agree. I use Mr. Clean and as long as you use their whole package, soap & filter, I don't see any water spots. Of course they are harder to see on white but when I tried other soaps and then rinsed with the Mr. Clean micro-filter I could see the spots.
I just got my blade and washing mitt this week and I love it. I have always hated drying my cars. The water blade gets off the vast majority of the water very quickly. I finish the job with micro towels and the car looks great.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Aug 20 2006, 11:16 PM) [snapback]306589[/snapback]</div> One of the better tips I've seen is after rinsing the car, take the spray nozzle off, and run a low pressure stream of water over it once more. Because it's a stream of water rather than a spray, it will "sheet" most of the remaining water drops off. Give it a minute or so to drain off and there will be very little water remaining to soak up with a soft towel or one of those super-absorbant drying cloths. dave
I just placed my order for one. I think I will be using it mostly on the windows since they will scratch less easily. It seems that the windows alone hold about a bath towel or two of water on them. I might use it on the top of the car too since you cant "see" it too well.
I finally got mine and tried it out today. It works very well at removing %75 of the water. I Would recomend one even if you use it for the top and windows.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Aug 29 2006, 11:47 AM) [snapback]311222[/snapback]</div> It's better to learn proper technique than to have to scrape standing water off your car. Dave G described the rinse technique perfectly. If you do this, all you need is a single small (16" x 16") microfiber towel to finish drying your car, and it will barely be damp when you're finished.
