The California Water Blade is a decent product. The trick is to use it on a super
clean car and super
clean water. And little piece of grit that gets caught in the blade can cause disaster, obviously. Used properly it is safe. That said, I tend to shy away from it because the risks are too great.
Long term I have seen hazing slowly build up, especially on dark cars.
I love time-savers, however and also don't like ringing out towels...and never do.
What I do is this: I use the
Absorber. It's the synthetic chamois that you see sold in a plastic tube. ($8 at AutoZone, WalMart, K-Mart, etc) These are great. They soak up water like there is no tomorrow!
BUT, there is a trick to using them.
Do Not drag them across the surface of the finish. Just lay them on the car and lift back up. Lay and lift. Lay and lift. I slap it at the sides of the car. I can run around and do the entire car in less than two minutes, easily. I never ring the chamois out until I put it away. It's much faster and safer than the Blade. It leaves hardy and water on the surface.
I finish up whats left with a microfiber waffleweave towel. I don't use cotton towels any more. One WW does the car with no wringing.
