Detailing & Automotive Care Use this forum to discuss detailing, cleaning and automotive care to maintain the beauty in your Mercedes-Benz.

Using a water blade?or an "absorber"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 24, 2003 | 10:25 PM
  #1  
E500Lorinser's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Using a water blade?or an "absorber"

Some detailers swear by them others don't.I have used the California water blade for years and now bought a newer one different brand.I forget the name buts its very soft and angled insted of just straight.It really helps to remove water quickly,especially with a good coat of wax on.I follow up with an "absorber" synthetic chamois,which totally dries the car.I have used this method to dry my cars for a long time and never noticed scratches or anything,so why all the debate over the use of these products?What do you guys think?
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2003 | 10:38 PM
  #2  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Re: Using a water blade?or an "absorber"

Originally posted by E500Lorinser
Some detailers swear by them others don't.I have used the California water blade for years and now bought a newer one different brand.I forget the name buts its very soft and angled insted of just straight.It really helps to remove water quickly,especially with a good coat of wax on.I follow up with an "absorber" synthetic chamois,which totally dries the car.I have used this method to dry my cars for a long time and never noticed scratches or anything,so why all the debate over the use of these products?What do you guys think?
I think you should stop using the water blade. I have seen far too many people scratch their car with it. I personally like a waffle weave microfiber towel to dry my car. Works the best imo.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2003 | 10:43 PM
  #3  
E500Lorinser's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
hmm

What about the absorber Al? That thing is better then anything else i have used ,it sucks up water like crazy.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 12:25 AM
  #4  
ajayz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 0
From: Moon
marta
yea ive heard bad things about the water blade thing. you don't need to risk scratches to dry ur car
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 01:42 AM
  #5  
oggle's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
E320
Listen to AlBoston. All the California Water Blade's gonna do is leave scratch marks on your paint.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 05:09 AM
  #6  
vraa's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28,933
Likes: 12
I'd even forget about the synthetic chamois also. I only let 100% cotton terry towels made in usa touch my dads car.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 07:30 AM
  #7  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
The absorber is ok and is best suited for detail shops that need to wash and dry several cars in a row because of its ability to almost completely wring out all the water. For home users i think the microfiber waffle weave towel is a much better choice. Less risk of scratching if there is still dirt on your paint in some spots and this thing SUCKS up water! The absorber looses its ability to hold water over time IMO. I used to use the absorber all the time but I feel the waffle weave works much better.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 07:31 AM
  #8  
KOMPRESSORnSC's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
Absorber

Originally posted by vraa
I'd even forget about the synthetic chamois also. I only let 100% cotton terry towels made in usa touch my dads car.
Well, I had always used one. It's simple, no towels to wash, etc. Never again! For everythign else, I used USA cotton towels, rags, etc., two buckets, if I dropped something, it was done for the day and all the other right stuff. My compromise was the Absorber. Not until I started putting coats of Z5 on my car did I realize how many scratches and swirls were there! I had thought it looked pretty good, but in reality, it looked like hell. The only source for the scratches and swirls I can think of would be the Absorber. After 4 coats of Z5, 90% of them are out, but my Absorber went in the trash after seeing the damage (I feel) it was causing. MF all the way now!

BTW-yesterday, I was sitting on a bench on a sidewalk, right in front of where I parked. I could not beleive the number of people who stopped and looked at my car and commented on the reflection of the white puffy clouds going across the hood. I just kept thinking 'thank you Sal...'
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 08:28 AM
  #9  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Re: Absorber

Originally posted by KOMPRESSORnSC
Well, I had always used one. It's simple, no towels to wash, etc. Never again! For everythign else, I used USA cotton towels, rags, etc., two buckets, if I dropped something, it was done for the day and all the other right stuff. My compromise was the Absorber. Not until I started putting coats of Z5 on my car did I realize how many scratches and swirls were there! I had thought it looked pretty good, but in reality, it looked like hell. The only source for the scratches and swirls I can think of would be the Absorber. After 4 coats of Z5, 90% of them are out, but my Absorber went in the trash after seeing the damage (I feel) it was causing. MF all the way now!

BTW-yesterday, I was sitting on a bench on a sidewalk, right in front of where I parked. I could not beleive the number of people who stopped and looked at my car and commented on the reflection of the white puffy clouds going across the hood. I just kept thinking 'thank you Sal...'
NEED PICS!!! lol. What color is your coupe?
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 09:50 AM
  #10  
ElDiabloJoe's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,753
Likes: 3
From: South Orange Co., CA
'03 W211 aka E-500
Cotton!!

Originally posted by vraa
I'd even forget about the synthetic chamois also. I only let 100% cotton terry towels made in usa touch my dads car.
Because of the varying degrees of quality, I have not converted to MicroFiber towels yet. Maybe someday.

In the meantime, I keep my rubbermaid container full of 100%, made in the USA cotton towels that are washed only with half a cup of liquid tide, and dried with NO fabric softener.

A little bit of towel lint left over on the car? Who cares. Nothing a shot of QD won't solve, or a quick drive down the street.

FWIW

EDJ
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 10:26 AM
  #11  
KOMPRESSORnSC's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
Re: Re: Absorber

Originally posted by AlBoston
NEED PICS!!! lol. What color is your coupe?
Here's a quick one that I thought was pretty cool. This is with an old (1.2 megapixel) camera, so it's not the best. Oh, and I haven't touched it for a week, and it's been rained on every day. And the bike is probably 8 or 9 ft. away from the reflection-the camera had to be about 6" off the hood to get the shot. Gotta love Zaino...especailly on Orion.
Attached Thumbnails Using a water blade?or an "absorber"-reflectpost.jpg  

Last edited by KOMPRESSORnSC; Jul 25, 2003 at 10:49 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 10:48 AM
  #12  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Re: Re: Re: Absorber

Originally posted by KOMPRESSORnSC
Here's a quick one that I thought was pretty cool. This is with an old (1.2 megapixel) camera, so it's not the best. Oh, and I haven't touched it for a week, and it's been rained on every day. Gotta love Zaino...
wow that pic confuses me a lot... what is it of? I am guessing your car is capri or orion blue... if i had to pick one, i'd say capri.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2003 | 11:50 AM
  #13  
KOMPRESSORnSC's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
Re: Re: Re: Re: Absorber

Originally posted by AlBoston
wow that pic confuses me a lot... what is it of? I am guessing your car is capri or orion blue... if i had to pick one, i'd say capri.
The bike is hanging on the ceiling of the garage. The angle the photo was taken was very shallow to get the bike to show up on the hood. Kinda messes with you, huh? Orion...it's real dark in the garage.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2003 | 12:05 AM
  #14  
ajayz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 0
From: Moon
marta
Re: Re: Re: Absorber

Originally posted by KOMPRESSORnSC
Here's a quick one that I thought was pretty cool. This is with an old (1.2 megapixel) camera, so it's not the best. Oh, and I haven't touched it for a week, and it's been rained on every day. And the bike is probably 8 or 9 ft. away from the reflection-the camera had to be about 6" off the hood to get the shot. Gotta love Zaino...especailly on Orion.

thats a pretty cool and like ali said, confusing pic!
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2003 | 02:11 AM
  #15  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Re: Cotton!!

Originally posted by ElDiabloJoe
Because of the varying degrees of quality, I have not converted to MicroFiber towels yet. Maybe someday.

In the meantime, I keep my rubbermaid container full of 100%, made in the USA cotton towels that are washed only with half a cup of liquid tide, and dried with NO fabric softener.

A little bit of towel lint left over on the car? Who cares. Nothing a shot of QD won't solve, or a quick drive down the street.

FWIW

EDJ
joe, i have had very good luck with neatitems towels. Check www.neatitems.com
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:32 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE