how well does this thing work? i heard if there are dirt particles on the car, the blade will scrath the hell out of the paint.

 

They will. Especially on dark cars. With the extremely thin paint job on Scions - I wouldn't risk it.

I'd use something not as harsh like the "Absorber" or a natural chamois

 

You WILL scratch the hell out of your paint with those things. Trust me I know, use a chamois and you won't have any problems at all.

 

I have had one of these water blades for years now. I love it! Doesn't make sense to me what you guys are saying because if you wash your car correctly there should be no dirt particles on the paint. Everyone uses a different way of drying there car. But in my driveway I have 4 dark colored cars and none of them have any scrazthes on them from the waterblade.

 

I firmly beleive in the California Water Blade.
Yes it will scratch if you have dirt on your car.But so will a shamois.Even more so.
Look at it this way,when using a blade,there is very minimal contact surface that is actually hitting your paint.Maybe 1/16th of an inch.Anything that offers less contact with your paint the better.Now lets look at a chamois.When you lay it on your ride,that's what,a 2ft x 3ft square contacting your paint?
So what do you think is better for your paint?
When I wash my car I usually use the blade to get most of the water off.Then I will use the obsorber to finish it up and keep the spots off.
I will continue to use mine!

 

I have the California Water Blade, too. I would suggest using a clay bar on your car to make sure you get all the stuck-on debris off your paint before using the blade (be sure to follow the instructions for using the clay bar). Since I store my water blade uncovered, in the garage, I wash it off before usingit on my car; have yet to get any scratches.

 

My process for drying the xB is first going at it with the California Water Blade, and then getting whatever I couldn't get with the Absorber.

I'm a believer, it's just a plastic/silicone blade--it works, it's proven.

 

the california water blade is great. i've used one for years and no problems. i use a chamois to finish the job after the blade.

 

(see above post) - edited out repeating myself. looked dumb.

 

does everyone have this absorber thing or what :|

 

Man, I have yet to experience any problems with my California Blade. So when I wash my car, I work to get all of the dirt off. Then, when I dry the car, I GLIDE the blade over the paint. The silicone is way soft and I think it does a lot less damage than any chamois, towel, absorber, etc. The way I see it, with our "aerodynamic" cars, it doesn't really matter too much.

I guess when it all comes down, you need to have friction to dry your car. What is your poison? I chose the blade, and I'm still here!

 

Love that water blade!!!

Veeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry light pressure. Almost none.
Follow up with the 'Absorber' and then the polish / wax.

I keep the water blade in the original package, wiping it off with a clean cotton cloth after each use.
Wash out the Absorber after use, too.

Gotta try the clay bar though. Do they really slick up the paint job THAT well?

 

I like the blade and i think some of you are wrong about the scratching. If there are particle to scratch your car (which there shouldn't be) they will scratch no mater what object they are on. If you use a chamois the particles dont go away they are still there to scratch. I say give the car a good clean then you dont have to worry about the particles.