Don't use CA Water Blade
 

Forget the hype, the CA water blade can scratch your clear coat.

After a much needed rain, I garaged my black G and set out to get all of the rain water off. Decided to squeegee it first and follow with a large microfiber drying towel. To make a long story short, the blade put a long very shallow scratch on my hood. Since it is very superficial, it should buff out just fine.

From now on, the only things that will touch my paint are:

microfiber towels
sheepskin wash mitts
foam wax and polish applicators
specialty car wash
wax
polish
clay
quick detailer spray

Black/Graphite, xenon, prem lux leather, navi, bose

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

The CA Waterblade is supposed to be used ONLY on a newly washed , ie. CLEAN car. You may have had some grit from the rain trapped between the blade and your clearcoat. If you use the 'Blade', it's also a good idea to rinse it off with clean water before you use it to make sure nothing has settled on it since you last used it. Otherwise, should not cause you problems.

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

You point is well taken. Possibly, there was some fine grit.

As a follow-up, after my car has been out in the rain, and I garage it, what should I do? Can't hose it off in the garage! But I don't want to let the rain dry and cause water spots!

Confused in MD!!!



Black/Graphite, xenon, prem lux leather, navi, bose

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

I think you run the risk of scratching your car if you try drying it with anything after a rain unless you know for sure that there's no grit. Probably safest would be a thick cotton terry towel that would suspend the particles, but I'm not sure.
Several say that the 'California Duster' works well but I haven't tried it nor do I know if it'll work on a wet car, so you might have to let your car dry first. Any 'Duster' users care to comment?

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

Also own the duster! My wife says I am getting to be a fanatic.

The duster only works if the car is dry. I use the duster about an hour after I garage the car every day (don't use on a hot hood, or the parafin on the duster will melt onto your car). No scratches! Follow that up with a QD spray and wipe.



Black/Graphite, xenon, prem lux leather, navi, bose

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

Water spots cannot be helped, the dust it picks up in the air or the hardness of the water itself will cause the spots. I have found if you keep the car well waxed it helps, since the water just rolls off taking the dust with it. I have the Garnett and it does not show up as much as the Black. I guess this affirms my reason for not getting Black. But my next car will be probably Blue, so I may have the same issue as you are currently experiencing.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Merlin.

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

Agreed - this is my second black car, don't even touch it unless it was just washed.

Only possible exception: if you get a brief shower followed by what looks like blazing sun, go drive it, wash it, whatever right away. I had this happen once on my older black car, and the combination of the fine water bubbles and intense sun etched the paint with little half-circles in a lot of places. Makes me sick - I've tried everything over the last 6 years and although minimized, the marks are still there. In that case, I would have been better off wiping it down.

You probably don't have a permanent scratch - just hit it with some fine polish, then wax and I'll bet it goes away.

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

I accidently left my garage door open over night. When i wanted to wash my car today, trying to find the CA water blade. I couldn't find it, I tried looking everywhere in the garage. It was GONE!

Outta all the things he can take in the garage, that guy took my water blade!!!!

YNVMY35

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

LOL I had the same problem one time. It actually fell between the washer and dryer.

I've never had any problems using my CA blade, like somone else metioned, you need to rinse it every time. Its a very nice cleaning tool. After getting the water off with that, use that spongee shamee thingy. I forgot what it was called, it comes in a tube. It's mad made material.

BS G35C 6spd navi/aero/prem

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

The 'Absorber'.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Actually I have more concerns with the California Duster. I always use it only for surface dust on a dry car, but I've noticed when I look carefully on the hood with light reflecting at the right angle, some very fine 'scratches'. They look like swirl marks that run straight in the direction that I've been running the Duster over the past few months. Anyone else with this problem with the Cali Duster?[img]/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

yup, going to agree with the dirt in the rain water theory. ive water bladed customers black vettes, my own black cars etc - no visible marks if you are careful.

water marks can be dealt with easily -

one - a good quick detail spray will take recent ones out
white vinegar on a very very soft 100% cotton towel will remove almost every single one without having to use a traditional abrasive (again, ive done this on black vettes)

i do a few customer cars, and two happen to be black vettes,(just in case you were wondering)



1980 Camaro Z28
1997 Olds Aurora
* * Toronto Area Zaino Distributor * *

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I've never had any problems using my CA blade, like somone else metioned, you need to rinse it every time. Its a very nice cleaning tool. After getting the water off with that, use that spongee shamee thingy. I forgot what it was called, it comes in a tube. It's mad made material.

<hr></blockquote>

I think you're talking about the Absorber, the synthetic chamois.

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

Hey Homer, how do you get to be a "Zaino" distributor? I'm always having to buy from them direct using that stupid fill out the form and mail it in routine. Plenty of people in my area want Zaino but don't want the hassle of ordering. Can you give me some pointers on becoming a distributor for our local car club? Thanks!

BTW, I used the CA blade last weekend without a problem, I use it regularly, just make sure it is clean and the car is clean.

Re: Don't use CA Water Blade
 

Hey Kendude . .

first off - there is a hold onnew distributors, has been for many many months now . . (please dont ask why, cause i dont know)

there may very well be someone in your area - and its unusual to get them too close together.
then you have to be very product fa,iliar, and willing to spend time with customers teaching the ways , answering questions etc . .it isnt simply stock and sell.

anyways, since i dont know where you are - its harder to see if it can be made easier for you and your friends to get zaino -
email me, maybe we should move this off forum (if you want)



1980 Camaro Z28
1997 Olds Aurora
* * Toronto Area Zaino Distributor * *