On a recent trip to Pep Boys, I picked up a highly-touted California Water Blade, hoping it would make drying my car quicker and easier than a pile of old bath towels. It's simply a very soft silicon rubber squeegee about 12 inches long, with a permanent handle along one edge. The working edge is actually T-shaped, with a very thin lip on each side that does most of the work. Does it work? Yes...and very well. It strips water off with very little effort, leaving a virtually dry surface.

It's soft enough to conform to minor curves, though it doesn't get into the creases. Using it on horizontal surfaces is a snap but its a bit tougher to maintain even contact on the vertical surfaces. I'm sure use will get easier as I get a feel for it.

I'm reasonably confident that the silicon rubber is far too soft to harm the finish (unless some grit gets embedded in it) You still need a towel or two (versus a stack) to wipe the small areas that the Water Blade won't get.

Will it stand up? It won't take much to damage the blade edge; its key to its efficiency. I store it in the plastic pack it's sold in to keep it protected. Is it worth $20? Only if you really hate handling those sopping wet towels.