Time For Sleeep

Anyone know where i can pick one of these up? I'd order online but I'd like to wash my car today. Any suggestions would be helpful. I heard Pep Boys carries it, but they're soooo far from where i live.

WolfpackBill

Wal-Mart sells them for $20.

AlterZgo

I bought a water blade, but I find that it is really not any more effective than simply using a hose w/o a spray nozzle attached and running some water over the car. This will cause about 80% of the water to sheet right off the car and the rest is easily wiped dry with 1 microfiber towel.

I don't use my water blade at all anymore b/c the above technique works so well. It also won't ever scratch your car b/c you're just running more water on it. Using the water blade may scratch the paint b/c you might drag some loose dirt particles on it.

CLpower

I use one, but I also take the nozzle off the hose and run the water slowly over the panels, if your car is waxed, this will eliminate 90% of the water on your car

matelot

I can not stand the grrrrrrrrrrrweeeee noises the blade makes on the panel !
Is the noise normal/ok ?

AlterZgo

That's why you have to try the hose running water slowly over the panel technique. It really does remove the vast majority of the water w/ no touching and no squeeking.

But, FWIW, the few times I used the water blade, yes it did make some noises. Since it's rubber, it's not really doing any damage. It could potentially cause damage if you did not clean the car thoroughly and you drag some dust or dirt particles on the paint.

dman918

I LOVE my water blade. I think they are a fantastic help when drying the car.

WolfpackBill

The sheeting method works well. As others said, it does dry about 90% of the car. But when combined with the blade, you can dry up to 97% of the car then you can use a microfiber towel to wipe off the rest.

TOGWT

Water Blade:
The best-known brand the Original California Water Blade is made of medical-grade silicone so it should not scratch. It can be used to remove water after washing the vehicle without causing scratches by applying very little surface pressure with the blade, wiping with long strokes in one direction only.

If there is any grit left on the car after washing, the blade may pick it up and drag it across the paint, much the same as a towel would, this can be avoided by wiping the blade with a clean damp towel after every pass.

The water blade should be protected when not in use. If it is crushed in storage, the edge may take a set and leave a stripe of water on the car, the water blade comes with a protective plastic case, use it for blade storage.

Like any tool, the water blade does require a little bit of technique and practice. The first few times I used mine, it tended to chatter on the surface, resulting in incomplete drying. It turns out this is eliminated by using just the right angle and pressure on the blade. Smoothness can also be affected by the surface condition of the paint (wax, sealant oxidation, etc.) and any coating that might be on the water blade itself.

Caution: do not use a water blade to remove rainwater as there could be road grit on the paint surface or the rain may contain impurities that could scratch the paint.
JonM

sbuswell

the water balde rocks, get one walmart for 10.00. fastest way to dry car period

Tappy116

Great for getting a water off majority of the car....but still need a towel for corners and groves..

Overall

tony4311

Do the same with mine. The only place I used the blade is on the windows because



Trickle the water and the blade isn't needed.

Vicman17

I found it at Pepboys selling for $16.00 for a regular sized one (bigger one is almost twice as much).

I found that it speeds up my drying process. CWB from top horizontal surfaces then the sides. I also find that I have less streaks when I use CWB then a MF towel. It doesn't soak the MF towel as much since most of the water has been sheeted off.

Tappy116

Just want to Walmart yesturday and saw the 12inche Cal blade for ~$20

I bought the 10 1/4 inch one off e*** for $11 shipped.

2 inchs didnt seem like a big deal..just my

jlukja

Target

Brewmaster

Big fan of the blade, but be careful.. I had problems once (I can only assume it was too cold and the silicon was somewhat rigid?! It was like 50 degrees, and after using it I found a lot of straight line micro scratches. It was right before a full detail with polish so it wasn't that big of a deal, but I've been careful since. (By the way I haven't had the problem since, but it has been warmer)