i stopped at my dealer last night to show him my luggage (they had never seen it or even knew if it was real) and talked to my salesman and he offered to give me some touchup paint for a nick i had. so we went into one of the garage bays and there i see a kid washing the alabaster crossfire they have. the thing is, he was using a window squeegee to "dry" it off! is this normal?! i really can't imagine this is safe for the finish. i'm thinking this is why my black one looked the way it did. (before meguiar's tech wax)

 

I have seen these avderised for drying cars. The last ad I saw was in my Bavarian Auto Catalog (for BMW). I for one would certainly not use some thing like a rubber squeegee on my paints finish!

 

A rubber window squeegee? No. One of the specially formulated soft silicone "California Blade" squeegee's? I use one.

 

hmm...i didn't look at it closely. i personally never saw someone use a squeegee so i was surprised. it may have been what you are talking about. nothing like a synthetic chamois for me though...

 

I use my California Blade, then touch up the spots it can't get (curvy beast this here Crossfire) with an Absorber.

 

I Purchased the Small Blade and I Have to Say the CrossFire Was Definitely Not Designed for Easy Blading. I Just Try and Wash it in the Setting Sun So I Can Gently Wipe it Off Before The Water Evaporates. I Have to Say the Saphire Silver is Easy on the Eyes and Not Too Demanding with Wash and Wax. The Black CrossFire Sure Looks Good Sitting on the Dealers Lot Though!