How to wash your car in an hour or less, make it look like a pro, and not go broke...

[Tromatic]

Originally Posted by Paul_S

When using any rinseless or waterless wash , a little common sense goes a long way. This has never been recommended for cars returning from a mud bog or after months of neglect. For most of the members reading the wash, wax and detailing section of this forum , their cars are not usually going to fall into that category. It is a great method for maintaining a above usual enthusiast ride.

Drove a whole quarter mile of dirt road to visit some goats. Wouldn't dream of even touching it with something like ONR until I hose the crap off it.

[autobrz]

I've used ONR for many years. fine scratches and swirls are unavoidable when washing a car no matter which method. But everyone's ability to see fine swirls are different. For some people, a clean surface is a clean car. So ONR can be good enough but I've opted to go with a pre-soak with a foam gun and just use a foam gun to shoot soap while I'm washing. Of course, it requires you have hose access and be washing outside.

[Tromatic]

Originally Posted by autobrz

I've used ONR for many years. fine scratches and swirls are unavoidable when washing a car no matter which method. But everyone's ability to see fine swirls are different. For some people, a clean surface is a clean car. So ONR can be good enough but I've opted to go with a pre-soak with a foam gun and just use a foam gun to shoot soap while I'm washing. Of course, it requires you have hose access and be washing outside.

Totally disagree that "fine scratches and swirls are unavoidable". I consider that to be a mistake, not unavoidable.

[seven]

Originally Posted by Brently

I'm very appreciative of this information. Thank you to the OP. Sadly, no employees at my local Home Depot or Lowes know what a grit guard is. Still on the hunt!

Home Depot should have the buckets, not grit guards, you'll need to get those online.

Originally Posted by Simpleviet

Question: how do I get rid of hard water spots? I washed it few times already and the hard water spot is still there. The hard water spot seems like its been blended into the opticoat and it feels smooth.

You'll need to clay and compound the car. Water spots don't usually come out with regular washing, especially after they've baked on the paint in the sun.

Originally Posted by jube

This has been super helpful and had great results with my first wash using this method. Quick question...
Would Mother's California Gold Instant Detailer be an adequate substitute for Meguiar's #34 Final Inspection? Or do they do different things?

Shouldn't be an issues. I've used a few quick detailers in my time. I just favor #34, doesn't mean its the last word in quick detailers... I just prefer it.

Originally Posted by Tromatic

I think you're crazy to wash a car without hosing the bejeebus out of it first, especially if it's dirty.

Originally Posted by jarviz

I've never used this product before but will soon after reading this post and seeing some reviews. My only concern is how come we don't need to pre-rinse the car? WOuldn't wiping it just pick up tiny rocks and dirt, which is normally removed with a pre-rinse, get dragged all along with the sponge?

Originally Posted by Tromatic

Totally disagree that "fine scratches and swirls are unavoidable". I consider that to be a mistake, not unavoidable.

Ok, I'll address this... I thought I addressed it in the first post or early on in the thread, but perhaps it was on a different forum...
Let me be clear...

THIS IS A METHOD TO BE USED FOR A WEEKLY WASH ONLY. If you drive on a dirt road, or you have mud caked on your car or debris, etc etc to the point that its not light dirt/dust from regular driving...
YES OF COURSE YOU SHOULD BLAST IT WITH SOME CLEAN WATER FIRST.

Not to be rude, but I'd assume people would understand that, as it is common sense.

In any case, the idea with this method is... once you clean the heavy stuff off your car the first time, you should be able to use this method weekly to keep the car in good shape. If you're using a good wax/sealant, it shouldn't be hard if your doing this weekly, as the wax/sealant creates a barrier against the clear coat.
Obviously if you live on a dirt road or travel to a construction site daily, or something, you'll need to modify the method to suit your situation.

[Tromatic]

Originally Posted by seven

In any case, the idea with this method is... once you clean the heavy stuff off your car the first time, you should be able to use this method weekly to keep the car in good shape. If you're using a good wax/sealant, it shouldn't be hard if your doing this weekly, as the wax/sealant creates a barrier against the clear coat.
Obviously if you live on a dirt road or travel to a construction site daily, or something, you'll need to modify the method to suit your situation.

I wash weekly, usually, and I "BLAST IT WITH SOME CLEAN WATER FIRST" as well as during and after, regardless of how dirty it looks. Perhaps this is why the Mercedes parked near me looks like it gets washed with a scratch-pad.

[Obsidiank]

Just did my first ONR wash and must say I am impressed. Went with the single bucket gary dean method with 6 towels and 3 gallons of water. Dumped about 1/2 gallon after so thinking I can get away with 2.5 next time,

[uEih]

I've been using ONR for about 2 weeks now and washed twice, 2 bucket method with a sheepskin mitt and microfiber to dry. I find after a day or two there will be quite a bit of dust on the car, it seems to attract a lot of dust. 5-7 days with no wash and it'll look like it's been stored in a very dusty place. What am I doing wrong because this seems a little off.

Too much static in drying with microfiber that is causing the dust to attract? I don't see other black cars doing this so I don't know what is causing it.

[Obsidiank]

Static. I would final dry with waffle weave.

[uEih]

Originally Posted by Obsidiank

Static. I would final dry with waffle weave.

Any suggestions on any specific one?

[bumperhumper]

Like mentioned previously, this is for a regular wash, not when you have dirt caked on after a long period of neglect. Lets also not forget that not everyone has access to a driveway and hose. I live in an apartment. This method has been a lifesaver.

And no I don't want to drive 15 minutes to a self wash joint, pay $5 to use water, and drive back needlessly.

[Obsidiank]

Originally Posted by uEih

Any suggestions on any specific one?

check out the new thread I started on single bucket for a list of my equipment.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43574

[seven]

Originally Posted by uEih

Any suggestions on any specific one?

Honestly you can get a waffle weave at any autozone or even costco.
You can spend more from like autogeek, but I've used both... same stuff.

Originally Posted by bumperhumper

Like mentioned previously, this is for a regular wash, not when you have dirt caked on after a long period of neglect. Lets also not forget that not everyone has access to a driveway and hose. I live in an apartment. This method has been a lifesaver.

And no I don't want to drive 15 minutes to a self wash joint, pay $5 to use water, and drive back needlessly.

don't blame ya man

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by seven

Ok, I'll address this... I thought I addressed it in the first post or early on in the thread, but perhaps it was on a different forum...
Let me be clear...

THIS IS A METHOD TO BE USED FOR A WEEKLY WASH ONLY. If you drive on a dirt road, or you have mud caked on your car or debris, etc etc to the point that its not light dirt/dust from regular driving...
YES OF COURSE YOU SHOULD BLAST IT WITH SOME CLEAN WATER FIRST.

Not to be rude, but I'd assume people would understand that, as it is common sense.

In any case, the idea with this method is... once you clean the heavy stuff off your car the first time, you should be able to use this method weekly to keep the car in good shape. If you're using a good wax/sealant, it shouldn't be hard if your doing this weekly, as the wax/sealant creates a barrier against the clear coat.
Obviously if you live on a dirt road or travel to a construction site daily, or something, you'll need to modify the method to suit your situation.

I don't drive on dirt or mud or go anywhere besides the highway, but I haven't washed the car in a while. I still plan on rinsing the car off first anyways, unless it is not necessary? Does it matter that the car has an opti-coat on it?

[seven]

Originally Posted by jarviz

I don't drive on dirt or mud or go anywhere besides the highway, but I haven't washed the car in a while. I still plan on rinsing the car off first anyways, unless it is not necessary? Does it matter that the car has an opti-coat on it?

If it has a good coat of wax, sealant (opti-seal/coat, opti-guard, etc), or ceramic coating - you can skip the blast with the hose unless there's a lot of caked on stuff