Opinions & a ?

R

re-tired

New member
First off I want to say that I don't have a fancy or EXtreemly expensive luxury or sports car like a Bently , porsche or Corvette-- but what I do have is pretty important to me and I want to take very good care of it anyways.

I have almost always as long as I can remember enjoyed detailing all my vehicles , wether I bought them new or used- and I am 100% certain I do a few things that the experts would just CRINGE @--

So I want to ask opinions on one of them now--

Any one here use one of those " Silicone water blades" to get the excess water off the vehicle??

Opinions on them?

I usually use one of those to get the excess off first and fast , followed by a hight pressure air dryer (master blaster or leaf blower) then a final wipe down with the drying towel. I have never noticed any damage or marks left by them, ever and I look real close , so what do ya'll think??

The other is a question on a detailing product- I have a new truck that has a big black plastic grill- what should I coat it with to keep it looking good and make it easy to get the bugs and debris off

Thanks in advance for all those who take the time to input

K
 
Grill part is easy, hydro2 or similar every 2 months or so.

Water blades can drag stuff across your paint, so have gotten a bad rap..... IF I use one, I rinse it first with the hose, then after each pass. Be warned if there is something on your paint it can still scratch. Also if you have soft pant, it can mar as well.

As far as the first part of your post, it kind of took me back a little. Why does it matter what type of car it is? It's special to you, that's all that matters.
 
The water blade has traditionally been one of those products that most of us try to stay away from.
All it takes is one grain of dirt or sand on the surface of your truck, and you drag it back and forth all over your paint *cringe*

I'd think high speed air and a waffle weave drying towel would be sufficient for your needs with out the risk of damage that the silicone blade poses.

As far as the grill: really most LSP's would make cleanup easier. Initially, you can always try an APC or one of the dedicated bug/tar removers. I think Poorboys makes one that is pretty popular.
 
I believe one thing everyone on this site has in common is pride. Pride in making sure their vehicle looks it's best. It doesn't matter if it's a basic economic-box or a fancy 2 door convertible - we all enjoy the process, results, and helping each other learn.

Now on on to your question on water blades : not a good tool in my opinion. The risk of marring/scratching the paint is just to high. I'd be too concerned about picking up a piece of debris and causing a nice long scratch.

Since you already appear to own a master blaster, have you considered coating your truck? Water flies off my coated cars with a quick blast from my master blaster.

Hope that helps!
 
if your using air to dry your vehicle already. why use a blade and risk damage? I think a towel with a drying aid would be safer then a blade


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re-tired- Welcome to Autopia!

You've received the standard answers regarding the Water Blade- OK unless/until something gets lodged between it and the paint (or even the glass) and then you get a scratch.

I find that blowing the water off (AirWand on my leafblower and air from the compressor) works so well that I don't need/miss the Water Blade.

On the black plastic grille, *yes* do something to protect it and make it easier to clean. I generally use (many layers of) Klasse Sealant Glaze or Ultima's Tire & Trim Guard +. Collinite 845 works fine too. If you use a coating, give some thought to how you'll prep it for a redo- if you have to polish the remnants of the old coating away it could get challenging.
 
I use the water blade on my wife's vehicle and my old beater Cadillac, but not MY car. Truthfully I have never damaged either with my water blade, but I do a foam gun wash and two bucket on every car I wash. The chance there are any contaminants left are low. If I had a master blaster I would toss the blade in the waste bin. Every tool in the right hand has a purpose.
 
Water blades are garbage and I've had a few cars come in where I immediately suspected the owner used a WB and later confirmed when I asked. It's not a matter of if they scratch, but when. Fine on the glass but if you care about your paint something like the master blaster is the way to go.

I'd want to see a picture of the grill
 
RaskyR1 said:
Water blades are garbage and I've had a few cars come in where I immediately suspected the owner used a WB and later confirmed when I asked. It's not a matter of if they scratch, but when. Fine on the glass but if you care about your paint something like the master blaster is the way to go.

I'd want to see a picture of the grill
Click to expand...

raskyR1

Here is a link to a truck exactly like mine-- you can see the grill

New 2015 Ford F-150 For Sale Crew Cab Pickup Oxford White | Mobile AL 1FTFW1EG0FKE27373 FKE27373
 
craigdt said:
The water blade has traditionally been one of those products that most of us try to stay away from.
All it takes is one grain of dirt or sand on the surface of your truck, and you drag it back and forth all over your paint *cringe*

I'd think high speed air and a waffle weave drying towel would be sufficient for your needs with out the risk of damage that the silicone blade poses.

As far as the grill: really most LSP's would make cleanup easier. Initially, you can always try an APC or one of the dedicated bug/tar removers. I think Poorboys makes one that is pretty popular.
Click to expand...

Thanks
I think that I have figured out what a APC is (all purpose cleaner) but can't pick up on the LSP's-- could you elaborate a bit?
 
LSP = last step product. its the last product put on a surface to protect it. wax, sealant, coating etc..
 
when people speak of "coatings" they are probably referring to to "glass coating", "nano coating", "ceramic coating".... its the latest and greatest in terms of protection of your vehicle. most coatings last up to a year or more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSEMReyX2AQ

heres an example of what angus was speaking about when water is flying off the paint when its coated and being air dried.
 
If your paint is properly protected with a decent LSP and you are using the "Sheeting Method", you should not need the Water Blade at all
 
Ronkh said:
Thread hijack alert... Sorry

Explain this please, I NEED to know !
Click to expand...

I get cars from time to time that are really overrun with dog hair. I run the blade over the fabric, and it "rakes" the hair into a much more manageable clump. Pulls the stubborn ones that have embedded themselves into the fabric as well.
Make sure its a clear silicone, the colored ones tent to shed little crumbs of rubber.
 
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