Gavin E-Cos

Has any one used these rubber water blade things for removing water from the car after its been wash?

My concern has always been, do they scratch the paint work?

What is your opinion, and which one would you reccomend?

Thanks,
Gavin

AlexF

If you are sure there is no dirty at all then they are fine....

BUT

There is always the risk of a spec of grit causing a scratch.

A waffle weeve drying towl is a better solution - but you really need 2 to do a decent job.

Alex

Smiggy

I've got one, works quite well. Just make sure you don't put it down on the ground or if you do make sure that the blade has no small stones or debris on it and it will be fine.

Got mine out of Costco years ago, guy was there doing a demonstration and gave some away.

C4llyT

Does work well, but ideally you wouldn't use it.
Have the paint well prepped, then well sealed, then after rinsing car off after washing, remove hose end and rinse like this.
Then use a drying towel, Sonus are very good.
Ideally spray the car with Meguirs Last Touch before drying, leaves a better finish and helps prevent water spotting/staining.

BM08

Was thinking about this myself as currently im buying chamois leathers at £10 a pop every 6-8 months because they go brittle

C4llyT

Fuck the chamois, try a towel and you'll wonder how you put up with all that ballache.
Last time I washed mine, dried whole car, then went to wring towel out, couldn't get a drop out!
Used to hate drying, piece of piss now.

BM08

What are these "towels" called? links?

alan12112

I use one all you need to do is have a cloth in your other hand and after everytime you wipe water off your car just wipe the edge of the blade - job done then finish off those arkward bits with a microfibre

Graceland

Seconded

Kevin B

We use one and I think they are pretty good, certainly get most of the water off and can just finish up with a chamois etc.

As long as the car is clean (free from grit) you should be alright.

lammylama

iTrader: (1)

As said before make sure there is no grit whatsoever in the groove along the edge of the blade......I made this mistake on our mondeo and i put 3 scratches along the door ....mmmmm nice...NOT,luckily they polished out!!!!

mad_on_Series_one

i use my wiperblade sometimes

BM08

You must love your car.......... NOT

I expect it works but sod that, its not made for drying paint work is it

AlexF

These towels are called Waffle Weeve - like I said above

taycoss

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...ucts-wash.html
get the poorboys waffle weave towel.......amazing and service from there is great too.

AlexF

I like these ones from this supplier

http://www.detailedobsession.com/cat...products_id=31

AlexF

you beat me to it!

Brian

iTrader: (2)

I use a water blade i bought a Auto Glym one a few years ago always put it in a bucket of hot water first to clean it and it also softerns the rubber a bit


Brian

BM08

cheers for the links lads, cheaper than a decent leather aswell

AlexF

Better than one too as it cant scratch the paint.

Your not using a sponge are you>?<

Gavin E-Cos

Thanks for your replys, mixed views.

I have been using Meguiars water magnet towel, but wonders if the blade was any quicker to use.

I may try a blade and see how I get on.

Thanks.
Gav

C4llyT

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf...2/prod_84.html

What I use, can't go wrong with Sonus, German.

Blade is great at drying, but towel is less risk, more wise choice.
You'd still have to towel dry with a blade, to get best possible finish, which ideally you'd use last touch or similar.
Blading first would leave car too dry to work the towel easily.
I did use a blade for a long time, but towel takes very little time, so no need for the risk.

Last touch: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detail.../prod_225.html

Diluted makes 8 litres, so good for the money.
So many uses, claying, polishing and waxing to help removal, and to finish off to collect any residue dust.
When machine polishing to prime the pads.
Quick wipe of wheels to help shine a little.
When wet sanding.

BM08

yeah why? i shouldnt be using that then?

C4llyT

Nah, lambswool washmitt: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin...-/prod_32.html

A lot better for paintwork, sponge drags dirt all over the surface.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Just ordered two - thanks for the recommendation !

What should I be ordering to clean the car with, as I do use a sponge at the moment .

C4llyT

Try looking above Mike, lambswool washmitt.
Once you get started end up spending a fortune!
Gonna have to look at doing it for a career to pay for all the gear...

NathR

I personally don't use them on my car (I do on anyone elses or the work van though ) I'm always concerned they'll scratch.

I use a lambswool mitt, Poorboys shampoo and Poorboys waffle towel thingy! IMO Autoglym synthetic chammys are still the easiest option but the waffle towel, again, prevents swirls/scratches.

For any advice I would advise a chat with Gareth (of detailed obsession) I spent hundreds of pounds with him last May on bufty stuff along with a Porter Cable but I still haven't had time to use it!! Top bloke though.

Graceland

I've just ordered some bits off of Gareth and will be using his services again when I want more stuff

MATCOS

iTrader: (1)

I use Gareth too and these towels are top bloody notch

MATCOS

iTrader: (1)

Mike I am going to frame this
You cleaning your car properly

I use 2 buckets one with a grit guard (this stops the grit getting onto your wash mitt when you put it in the water)
I wouldn't use a sponge at all, get yourself a decent wash mitt, again Gareth will sort you out I'm sure, I have a few and don't use the same one that I use to do my paint work with the one I do my wheels etc.
Just from changing from sponges and chamois, to the above you will find it much easier and get a much better job

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Tossers, you've just made me spend over £60 !

Bullett

iTrader: (2)

it will be going up my friend! once you start it snowballs.i use meguiars but thats because i get it at cost price through work.i still have well over 400 pounds worth though

AlexF

MIKES A FUCKING BUFTY AT HEART lmao


Two buckets and a lambs wool mit are what you need to wash a car! After 14k miles and 19 months my MINI GP had superb almost swirl free paint - better than other gp's with less than 2k miles on!

Method:

Fill 1 bucket with soap and water and the other with just water

Damp car down

Wash one section at a time starting at the top and working down towards the front. Leave the back till last as its usually gritty as hell.

Use the mit to wash one pannel at a time - then rinse the mitt in the water bucket before putting it back into the soap bucket.


Its easy when you get use to it and it does so much less damage to your paint its not true!

Alex

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Make that £70+ !

MATCOS

iTrader: (1)

Good work Mike

The Rapid 1

I'll have to ask the Polish boys at the local car park what they use on mine

Actually when I bother to clean it myself I use that Flash drying system that sprays deionized water to "dry" the car, and it actually works
My last couple of cars have been black and you know how it shows all the water marks, well the deionized water washes away all the "dirty" wash water, and it is only the residual dirt left in the water that leaves the marks, the deionized leaves nothing, not on black paint, not on glass, I couldnt believe it first time I used it, nor could my sis who said I was wasting my money, and she is a bit of a closet bufty lol, and even she was impressed !

And whats more you dont touch the car at all, if you worried about marking it with grit etc

http://www.freshliving.com/flashcarwash/home.htm


Steve

Gavin E-Cos

Sorry to start this thread Mike, I have mostly Mergiurs products and they do work so well! - but the costs soon add up.

Does this mean we will see a clean shiny car on Tuesday?

Gav

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

If the weather is good on Tuesday so I can be bothered to clean it - yes .

gingeRS

mike i take it you contacted Gaz7 off here....as detailed obsession is his business and he gives nice discounts for PF members

Graceland

If I had known that I would not of bought via Ebay and gone direct