"WhatDaFunk" (WhatDaFunk)
04/24/2014 at 17:33 • Filed to: None
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"WhatDaFunk" (WhatDaFunk)
04/24/2014 at 17:33 • Filed to: None | 0
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Anyone have experience using waterless car wash solutions? Do they work? Any tips?
Since we're facing a drought here in California thought I'd do my part to save water, but I hate having a dirty car.
Edit: this is not a pic of my car, my car is not actually this dirty.
Reigntastic
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 17:36 |
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I'd be seriously worried about my paint.
jkm7680
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 17:36 |
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For a car that dirty, I wouldn't go with a waterless wash.
If it wasn't that bad: Quick Detailer
Or just go to one of those self service car washes :)
RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 17:38 |
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That pic cracked me up.
Also sorta interested in seeing what people suggest since I'd rather not take a convertible to any sort of cheap car wash, and I park in an underground lot.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
04/24/2014 at 17:44 |
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When I had my s2000 I didn't want to take it through regular automatic car washes either. There are places where they "hand wash" the car - usually the car goes through a tunnel where it gets sprayed with water, then an employee soaps it down by hand, and then it goes through another rinse - so no automatic brushes running over the car.
It was where all the fancy folk in town took their Jags, Astons, etc. - you can bet your ass they don't want their super expensive convertible tops getting ruined - so if it's safe for them, figured it was safe for me. And the place was actually really great - not much more expensive than the huge chain car washes and had much better personalized service.
ShiftyMcGrifty
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 17:44 |
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Seriously though, they sell some spray cleaner for cars/motorcycles that require only a couple of rags. Not sure how all that dust would get cleaned by that, but my motorcycle gets cleaned without water regularly.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 17:46 |
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Danger, Will Robinson.
The guy in charge of our local Caffeine & Gasoline group recommends Chadwick's Triple Play, fwiw.
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jkm7680
> ShiftyMcGrifty
04/24/2014 at 17:47 |
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Same, I usually don't use a hose for my motorcycle. I just use quick detailer, and really soak it on for road salt.
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WhatDaFunk
> jkm7680
04/24/2014 at 17:50 |
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Added a note, my car isn't actually as dirty as the car pictured, just a bit dusty.
Does the Quick Detailer actually work as a replacement for a car wash? Reading about it, it seems more like it's supposed to supplement between washings.
Going to a self service wash doesn't really solve my problem of not wanting to use water, just shifts the usage somewhere else.
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ShiftyMcGrifty
> jkm7680
04/24/2014 at 17:51 |
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Got to love the ability to clean your bike in less than 10 minutes from start to finish. Depending on how detailed you want to be.
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jkm7680
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 17:53 |
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The Quick Detailer can work for more than it's described to do. I've used it on my motorcycle multiple times just to quickly clean it up. The only problem is that with lots of bird shit, dust and dirt it can also scratch the surface of the car. So I'd consider it a risky business using that stuff.
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WhatDaFunk
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/24/2014 at 17:54 |
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That looks interesting, might give that a shot. Thanks for the tip!
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jkm7680
> ShiftyMcGrifty
04/24/2014 at 17:54 |
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Yeah, I prefer it over hosing it off. Keeps it cleaner, instead of water randomly coming out of places.
BoulderZ
> WhatDaFunk
04/24/2014 at 18:08 |
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One note on commercial car washes, either self or full service, is most of them now recycle their water. Especially true in the US West and Southwest. You can probably find out from the business' web page as they usually have it as a marketing point, even though it's been a requirement in many cities for quite awhile now. It does still use some amount of water, but a lot less than if you DIY it, and without the nasty runoff contamination.
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WhatDaFunk
> BoulderZ
04/24/2014 at 18:17 |
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Good to know, considering I live in San Francisco there's gotta be some eco friendly car washes around here.
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RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
> ZHP Sparky, the 5th
04/24/2014 at 18:28 |
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My s2k is filthy. I may need to sack up and find one, since I know I'm not doing the wash myself any time soon.
minardi
> WhatDaFunk
04/25/2014 at 07:35 |
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By experience, even when using microfiber rags, it will leave some scratches mark in the finish, nothing that can be taken out with a compound. Bottom line, don't use.
Detail Squad
> WhatDaFunk
07/08/2014 at 19:53 |
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I run a mobile detailing business in So Cal and we come across cars even worse than the picture above (by the way I think that's a scene from Caterpillar Man...stupid gross movie!). We switched to a waterless chemical after testing about a dozen products. They didn't all work well but we settled on one that is awesome and has stood up to 100's of vehicles and boats. Every once in a while we'll be faced with a challenge but we just pour some of the waterless chemical in a bucket of clean water and do a 2 bucket wash...but that's pretty rare. It has changed my opinion on waterless washing and I rarely break out the hose any more even when washing my own cars. I actually think using the waterless wash with the right technique is safer than your avarage car washer rubbing a dirty mitt covered on soap on the cars finish.