[ARCHIVE] High tech squeegees reduce cleaning time, effort

Wet weather and road grime can make a mess out of your . How can you simplify the cleaning job while avoiding cold hands, wet feet and a pile of dirty towels?

Enter the humble squeegee, which has undergone a high tech metamorphosis. No longer are they the lowly rubber blades and metal handles of the "Happy Days" era.

"We don't like to call them squeegees anymore," said Russ Romer, vice president of marketing at the California Car Duster Company. "The latest blades use medical-grade silicone and flexible handles that conform to the shape of your vehicle."

A silicone drying blade can eliminate the laborious process of drying your vehicle, Romer said. You won't end up with a pile of dirty terry cloth towels. Besides, towels tend to rub off the protective layer of wax on the surface and leave exposed surfaces more susceptible to fading or spotting.

"Silicone blades sweep away water similar to the way a wiper moves across the windshield," Romer said. "Towels and other materials drag water and may cause scratches if there are any contaminants on the surface."

Romer offered the following suggestions when selecting and using a squeegee tool:

• Select products with silicone-based materials that won't scratch your vehicle's paint. Hard rubber can leave marks or cause microscratches.
• Choose the right size blade for the job. Larger blades make for fast work on large tucks or SUVs. Smaller blades help maneuver around tight spaces.
• Look for flexible handles that conform to the shape of your . This is especially useful for vehicles with lots of contoured edges.
• Wash your before using any drying device. Otherwise dust, dirt and other contaminants on the surface may cause scratches.
• Shake or wipe off the blade at the end of each drying stroke to remove residual water.

"A big pile of dirty towels means more laundry for you," Romer said. "You can accomplish the same job in about one-third the time by using a water blade."