I have always been up for trying new things and have learned about a lot of great stuff over the years.

Finding the "right" tools for the detailing job thanks to this forum is very valuable and for those people new to detailing an important part of making detailing easier and more fun.

Over the last four years I have changed my detailing habits and products based on what I have read and learned here. A couple of primo products I decided to try recently are 1) the California Jelly Blade, 2) Prima Mystique, and 3) Prima Hydro. Wow, I tried the Mystique and Hydro yesterday and could not believe my eyes. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I never would have believed what those two products can do. I have not tried the Jelly Blade yet but I believe it will be as good as the folks here say it is.

1. To add to my detailing tool box, what Prima products should I consider adding Next?
2. Does the Jelly Blade do too good a job if planning to use Hydro? I thought it would dry the car too well for the Hydro to work.
3. Should Hydro be used after every wash or less frequently?

Thanks to everyone that contributes here, I enjoy reading your threads.

 

Try doing a dry application of Hydro once the car has been dried. I do this every two weeks, and love the glossy look.

 

Thanks for the tip, I shall try that soon. Any other suggestions?

 

I use a blade before Hydro. But I only recommend it if you are 100% certain there is not a speck of anything on the paint, and that you wash the blade each time before you use it.

 

No need for that jelly blade and the risk of scratching your paint.

Take the nozzle off the hose, sheet the water down over the car, starting at the top, of course. And you'll only have a few beads of water to dry off... just enough to use with a few squirts of Hydro.

As for other products: Monster Fluffy detailing towels for those daily (or semi-daily) QD jobs.

And when you decide to get REALLY serious about your detailing: A random orbital buffer.

 

really? blades are for non-ocd folks, no?

ive stopped using mine a while ago.

 

yah, i too just sheet the water at the very end. i dont even remove
the nozzle off. if you use the firemen's hose you can do the flood mode
or if you use the griot's 9pos nozzle, the shower mode is weak enough
to sheet water off well.

and yes, i wash in the sun and have no issues as long as i use hydro
and some technique.

 

I got that GREAT nozzle I posted about a couple months ago and I can sheet without removing it, too. But it's still not as good as the hose without the nozzle. I can do the whole car in about ten seconds, that way.

 

cool. if you think about the water splashing all over your face and
shirt when you undo the quick release while there's pressure, i think
the flood mode is much more convenient.


too lazy to go shut the water off just to turn it back on again.

 

I am very ocd with my car's finish- but I have found a jelly blade to be great to take water off the roof & windows- especially the windshield and the curved plastic area between the bonnet & the windshield where a puddle forms- plus I never let it touch anything but the car, it's stored in it's packaging when not in use.

I think it does take off too much water if you're using Hydro though....

 

im sure you are good with the blade. i can agree on the glass, but
never on the a-pillar plastic. paint... only if you wash your car in the garage
and there is no wind.

it doesnt matter how you stow the blade. if there's wind it carries
grit and lands on the water beads on your paint. then you take the
blade and drag it across the paint.

 

I never thought about what the wind would carry...I think I'll stick with using it on the glass only from now on!

 

yah, people talk about washing their car in the rain and i dont think
too much of it, but when people are out washing their car on a
dry day but with moderate wind, i think that's insane.

 

This is my new procedure after trying some Prima products. This is my new procedure and I am not saying it is the best or that anyone else should use it. Peruse it, like it, use it, dislike it dump it.
Equipment:

Prima Mystique and Hydro
California Duster
Fire Hose Nozzle – set that little sheeter to sheeting position
3 buckets - 1 soapy water for wheels only - 1 for the Mystique - 1 for rinsing mitt and sponge
Body washing mitt and bug removing sponge
Special sponges and mitt for the bumpers
Wheel washing brushes
Jelly Blade – the jury is still out on this – works ok on glass
Waffle weave towel for drying body and glass
Smaller microfiber towels for wheels and bumpers
Glass cleaner and glass only cloth

Go over whole car with California Duster to remove all surface dust; then wash and sheet the wheels thoroughly. After the wheels are clean sheet the entire car and start by washing the top and sheeting. Work down the car washing the glass, then body panels all the way down to the bumpers making sure to sheet on all the body panels as you go. Wash and sheet the bumpers last.

I tried for the first time my new Jelly Blade on the glass only…it’s ok. Very sparingly I spritzed Hydro on the body parts starting with the roof and working down drying as I went with a large waffle weave towel. I think I used too much Hydro the first time and also put it on the glass which I later decided was a bad idea. By using the Hydro more sparingly it appeared I got better results. Next open the doors, bonnet, and boot and dry all around the edges and the openings. Open and close the doors several times to dislodge the water that hides and later seeps out and leaves streaks. Now dry off the wheels with a microfiber cloth only for that purpose. Once satisfied with the body and wheels; use a high quality glass cleaner and a cloth specially made for glass and put the car back in the garage.

Optional, drive to favorite mall or drive-in-restaurant to sign autographs and answer questions about how you got your car so beautiful.

 

Optional, really?
I use the jelly blade for the whole car. You just gotta know how to use it and to keep it clean. My car is clean after I get done washing so no worries there.
Hydro on the windows - do it every time so no worries there either. I polish and wax my glass during a full detail anyway.

 

"I polish and wax my glass during a full detail anyway."

That is a great idea, ever notice that above 60 MPH there is no need for wipers?

perhaps the first time around my drying towel was the culprit; the glass was streaky and I assumed it was the Hydro.

 

With Epic on the glass, I seldom need wipers unless it is splash-back from other cars.
You should notice too that a little spritz of Hydro on a fresh, dry towel will help it absorb water better right a way.

 

I tried Hydro on a dry car last evening and put the car in the garage. This morning I could not believe my eyes, over night something happens and the glossy wet look is dazzling.

The very first time I used Hydro right after a wash I mistakingly thought the Hydro streaked the glass. it turns out it was the cloth I used on the glass and not the Hydro. This morning to finish up what was started last night i actually cleaned the glass using Hydro - no streaks this time. I believe I have found a keeper in Prima products.