Waterblade Damage on Paint

[wlowe]

Hi guys. I just got a fun, new black car and a few new cleaning accessories to take care of it. Among the new stuff, I got a Waterblade off Amazon. You know, the silicon blade with plastic handle to wipe water away after washing. Well, in the first few weeks I had my car, I really wanted to keep it clean to show my friends, and that meant a few more washings than normal. After a few weeks I started noticing these scuffs on the car. I have about 4 of them. I realized they came from the waterblade. I'll put a link to an image here:



The scuffs don't just wipe off with a microfiber, but when you run your finger over them they aren't rough... it's not a scratch and doesn't dig into the paint but sits on top of it. I can't image how the waterblade did this except perhaps the areas that scuffed ran out of water to lubricate the blade and the silicon scuffed it...

Can you recommend any detailing products to clean this up, or am I going to have to get this professionally fixed? I haven't tried anything but basic car soap and water yet, as I don't want to make it even worse.

[Top Gear]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

Welcome to the forum.

I use a similar blade/squeegee sometimes. It is unlikely to be the blade itself, but what is being dragged across the paint with it. My guess is you are squeegeeing most of the water and leaving the rest to dry, as seen by the various water spots nearby. You got a great shot, so the white line looks almost like hard water deposits smeared into a streak.

First, try wiping the blade every few passes with a good MF towel that's got some product in it, like Ultimate Wash and Wax Anywhere, a Quik Wax or Detailer product. Also, when you're done squeegeeing (light, but decisive passes), follow with a Quik Wax product. I think that will take care of it, crossing fingers

[wlowe]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

Thanks for the input. The sprinklers got it the morning I took the photo and I hadn't had time to get the water spots off yet... thats a different battle in itself, having to park where the sprinklers blast it twice a week.

I gave up on the blade and I'm just hand drying with high quality MF towels. I hadn't thought about the blade maybe dragging something across... good though. Is there anything you can recommend to clean up the lines? They don't rub off with basic soap and water. Should I try a product to clean them?

[Top Gear]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

Well, if I'm right, they are essentially water spots and need some careful touches on a new car. What compounds do you have, or perhaps polishes, such as Ultimate Polish? With a DA machine, they would be quick work, but that is a whole other discussion.

I totally get you on the sprinklers - they are evil

[wlowe]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

I don't have any compounds or polishes on hand. What would you recommend for something like this?

[Top Gear]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

I'll suggest Walmart or AutoZone or Advance Auto, and look for Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. Together they will be about $20. A foam or MF applicator or towels will be fine, and keep these separate from ones you otherwise use. Make sure you clean the surface with something like a Quik Detailer and a clean MF. You can even get a clay kit and see if the clay will remove the markings (check out videos for secrets, there, as claying can be tricky). Otherwise, gently rub with the polish first in little circles along the defects in question. Do NOT over do it. A little bit goes a long way, and you can always do more. You want to watch out for micro-marring created by tiny dirt particles and your own hand motion. Assuming that went well, you can apply any wax you like to the areas. If not, try the same technique with the compound, followed by the polish, then the wax. Again, you can always re-do this, so don't get impatient with it.

As for the wax, I'm a carnauba guy, so what will be easy to find is Gold Class liquid wax, along with the matching Gold Class Quik Wax, or perhaps Deep Crystal Carnauba wax with Gold Class Quik Wax. Others will suggest Ultimate Wax with the matching Ultimate Quik Wax. Either way, you will have a regular maintenance spray wax that matches your main wax. All of these products are awesome

[wlowe]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

Thanks, that is great info. I've been looking at the Ultimate Polish and Compound. I'll make that a project this weekend.

I've been using the Ultimate Quik Wax and Ultimate Detailer since I'm in Florida and I don't have a lot of shade around the house so the ability to work in the sun helps out... but I noticed that the Gold Glass products seem to be more recommended for Black paint. Would you recommend Gold Glass Liquid Wax and Gold Quik Wax over the Ultimate if I can find shade to work?

[The Guz]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

I gave up on the blade and I'm just hand drying with high quality MF towels. I hadn't thought about the blade maybe dragging something across... good though.

This is the best thing to do. Invest in some high quality towels. Keep the paint protected. Sheet the water off the surface and you will make drying much easier on yourself.

[Blueline]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

I have used my waterblade on my older black car, sparingly and gently, and never seemed to have any issues. That said, I have never considered using it on my new
black car. I guess I care more for the new princess, than the older one.

[roushstage2]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

It kind of looks like the plastic handle dragged on the paint, to me anyways. Certainly doesn't look like mineral deposits.

[MicrofiberMan]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

looks tolong to be from the water blade, i use one and never had anything like that, when u say it wont come off with basic soap and water do u mean dish soap? that looks like it should come off with some quik detailer idk??? my whips black too.

[Top Gear]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

Yep, I also thought it looked like removed tape residue, chalk, car dealer crayon, and so on. It could have been there before the blading, and was only revealed by the blading...somehow. I guess it doesn't matter as it's on the surface and will likely come off with careful attention.

[HCAD]

Re: Waterblade Damage on Paint

We use jelly blades everyday, keep them clean, and have never had problems like this. My guess is it's from some other source. Another thought or two for removal; rubbing alcohol, Meg's cleaner wax, or if it's paint transfer you could try acetone. Thoroughly clean afterward and reapply a wax/sealant.