Is it good to use a genuine leather chamois to dry a car or should I use something else?

 

Use a California water blade.....

 

What does that look like. got a web site or anyting

 

I second the water blade. You can get them at autozone or www.summitracing.com . I'm getting the summit brand for X-Mas hopefully.

 

I just bought new one at K-Mart for 19.99 about an hour ago I've been using it for quite a while now, don't know what I'd do with out it, probably use a leaf blower

 

I just use the blade and a chamois after i wash my car. I've been washing my car 2-3 times a week and no problems so far.

 

so the Cal water blade doesn't damage the paint all? I'm a little wary about running a "blade" down my paint with all the dirty particles (correction: possible dirt particles) still on the surface... *scraaatch?*

I'm using my Absorber syntehtic chamois... works great but still time consuming, I'd say a good 20mins to dry off the whole car cleanly including all possible puddles like behind the tailights! heh... which ends up dripping all over the bumper when driven, which mixes with the exhaust dust collecting on the bumper = nastiness after a car wash if u neglect to soak up the puddles nex to the rear taillights... heh. ok, 'nuff rant there.

 

The water blade is great for most of the car. I prefer a synthetic chamois like the Absorber over a natural one. They last much longer, don't cost as much, don't go to **** if they dry out, and generally absorb water much better.

 

ok guys the water blade will scrath the paint if you dont watch out and drag some dirt across the finish. i Detail cars everyday at a body shop. and when we wash it we dont get every minute dirt particle. and we use the water blade, and i have scratched about 3-4 cars in the last 7 months. but nothing deep enough that we had to repaint. i just buffed the scratch out.

so there is still that chance.

and i would rather use a Synthetic Chamois than a natural. cleans up much better.

 

My vote gots for the absorber. I'm planning on getting a california blade for the flat spots, but the absorber would still be my choice if I could have only 1. The absorber can hold so much water, that you can do almost half of a car before you squeeze it out. I used to wash and dry a car in 20 minutes when I detailed them. The absorber is FAST when you're in a hurry.

 

Natural chamois is known to take off wax and scratch clearcoat so use synthetic if any chamois at all. I recommend just using a towell from the bathroom. Dont laugh, I know how to keep a car lookin good. See?

 

What's the difference between a dirt particle with the blade and a dirt particle trapped in a towl or chamois. Either way the dirt is dragged across. At least the blade is a smooth finish right, instead of all the friction of a towel or chamois.

 

Mark Shields has a good point. I beleieve the best thing to use is high air pressure. If this is not an option, then use the silicone "water blade" this is what I use. If you just washed the car then any microscopic dirt is negligable. IMO

 

heh... interesting point there.... can't have those microscopic particles on the paint

I guess I'm-a stick to the Absorber
btw... nice car blk widow!

 

Thank ya!

 

I'm inclined to agree with all thouse who recommend the Absorber. I find it easier to use then any other solution and one of the safest to use. I'm VERY pleased with it.

 

I have been using the Absorber for about a year and haven't been highly impressed. I do use the water blade first, but find the absorber just drags remaining water and really doesn't aborb very well. For Christmas, I got a new chamois that I really do like and it works great. It's from Wizards. http://www.wizardsproducts.com/products3.html
I used it last night after washing my truck. I decided to use the absorber instead of the new one on my door jambs and I ended up putting the absorber away and using the new one. My vote goes for the new chamois. I highly recommend trying it!

 

This whole post just goes to show.... Everyone does something a little different.

I guess the best thing is the ol' fashion try it and see what you think is best....

I and others back the Absorber, others a firm chamois backers... Personally, I don't like chamois, but hey, that's me....

 

Do not use anything but a 100% USA cotton white towel to dry your car off with. I learned that the hard way. I used to use a very good chamois to dry the car off with until I started noticing new scratches. I consulted a good friend of mine that details Ferrari's, Lamb's, and such and he said my problem is the chamios. It doesn't trap any dirt in it. All it does is pushes it all over the area you are drying. Using a towel the dirt will be trapped in the fibers of the towel which lifts it off of the paint surface resulting in a scratch free dry. I started doing this after I buffed the scratches out of the car and to me amazement it actually worked. But this is my opinion. I highly recommend useing the towel if you own a dark color car.

 

Guess I'm the only one who actaully uses his leaf blower. heh

 

props to the leaf-blowers! haha'... I've noticed the Absorber producing a very fine every now and then... but usually very light that comes off with a good wax over... which is always done with Meguires Gold Class! Not Zaino you say? yep that's right, IMHO, Gold Class is right up there with Zaino and less harsh on the thinning wallet.

 

I went through the neighbourhood's new "touchless" carwash a couple of weeks ago. My car was really dirty, like it can only get in nasty, slushy, freezing weather. I didn't expect it get it clean.

Anyway, this wash is automated and doesn't use any brushes at all, only high pressure water and soap, then a blow dryer. Well, I've never seen such high pressure water in a car wash!!! It was coming in through the T-tops' weatherstripping joints like a ruddy shower.

I felt like that kid in Holland who was running out of fingers and thumbs to keep the dike from bursting.

Well, it didn't come perfectly clean but I was pretty impressed. That dirt was on really thick on the rocker panels and it got 90% of it off.

Of course, it got quite cold that night and my door lock froze.

But what was clean was clean as a whistle, and shiny, too

 

I'm gonna say the Absorber too.

 

I would have to say I would go with the CWB(California Water Blade)Me and one of my buds decided to have a little friendly competition.My CWB versus his Absorber.I dried my ride in half the time it took him to dry his and after it was all said and done,my black car actually looked better than his black car.His Absorber left behind tiny droplets of water,my CWB left nothing.Your choice man.

 

Aha'... but you see my friend... you must drag the absorber slowly and evenly across the surface and it will be bone dry and shiney just like the CWB does heh... just my two cents! it IS possible that the Absorber is nevertheless superior! heh heh

 

i use a synthetic chamois.
I dont mind spending time with my car at all.