Best method for washing without water

[Silver Cervy]

So we have well water at our house, which means that it has higher salt/mineral content than city water. I can't use it to wash my car as it leaves huge, horrible looking water spots that can only be removed with a proper detailing, so as of now I cannot wash my car at my house. Up until now I've just been going to a touchless car wash at a gas station near my house, but I know that it doesn't completely clean my car nor is it very good for the paint, so I'm curious if there are any methods to cleaning a car that do not involve water. This is something I'd do probably once a week.

[winstonscifi]

Not only is it not good for your paint, but it is terrible on any clear lenses that you have on the car. The stuff that they put in those car wash soaps really are designed to clean your car QUICKLY. That means they are really caustic. They do a number on your headlights and taillights. Is there any way you can find a better solution?

[Silver Cervy]

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

Not only is it not good for your paint, but it is terrible on any clear lenses that you have on the car. The stuff that they put in those car wash soaps really are designed to clean your car QUICKLY. That means they are really caustic. They do a number on your headlights and taillights. Is there any way you can find a better solution?

Kinda why I posted this.

[swarb]

Lots of people swear by ONR, I haven't tried it.
http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

[gramicci101]

Use ONR, mix it with a gallon of distilled water in quick detailer quantity, and throw it in a spray bottle. Then just use it as a quick detailer. It works if the car isn't super dirty.

Does your well water come out of a spigot that you can attach a hose to? If so, go to https://www.purewaterproducts.com/garden-hose-filters and get a double garden hose filter. Get one filter insert and one softener insert. This is magical. The softener insert by itself was enough for me to clean Las Vegas water to the point that it didn't leave spots.

[Ultramaroon]

Mix a touch of Jet Dry, or vinegar in with your final rinse water.

edit: @gramicci101's idea is similar and better.

[Silver Cervy]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Get one filter insert and one softener insert. This is magical. The softener insert by itself was enough for me to clean Las Vegas water to the point that it didn't leave spots.

Awesome. I'd love to be able to use my hose and actually do this right. How long do the filters generally last?

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Silver Cervy

Awesome. I'd love to be able to use my hose and actually do this right. How long do the filters generally last?

I didn't get a filter, just a single container and a softener insert. Las Vegas' water is hard, but it isn't really dirty. I used it for about a year with no issues before I got lazy and started paying to have my car washed and using ONR as a quick detailer between washes. If I was home right now I'd just send it to you, but I won't be back for a few months. The filters aren't expensive and there are multiple different ones to choose from. Email them, describe your situation and water, and see what they recommend.

If anyone is in Vegas and needs a car cleaned, Windy City Wash and Wax is the best and well worth the money.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

.................
Does your well water come out of a spigot that you can attach a hose to? If so, go to https://www.purewaterproducts.com/garden-hose-filters and get a double garden hose filter. Get one filter insert and one softener insert. This is magical. The softener insert by itself was enough for me to clean Las Vegas water to the point that it didn't leave spots.

There ya go ........ oh, wait one ....... I forgot ....... you were from North Carolina .....

(jest ah messen wich ya)


humfrz

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by humfrz

There ya go ........ oh, wait one ....... I forgot ....... you were from North Carolina .....

(jest ah messen wich ya)

humfrz

That's why I asked. Some of the more remote areas of the Southeast haven't discovered that they can install electric pumps in wells.

[shiumai]

I've been using the chemical guys waterless wash for the last four years, once a week:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/EcoSmart..._p/wac_707.htm

I follow up with the detail spray:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Hybrid_V..._p/wac_808.htm

I wash my car about 2-3 times a year with water, clay it then use a paint sealer:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/M_Seal_P...wac_113_16.htm

I live in socal where it doesn't rain often. Even when it does, I still do the waterless wash once a week. My car has never been to a regular car wash. The paint still looks pretty good after 4 years of waterless washes.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Silver Cervy

Awesome. I'd love to be able to use my hose and actually do this right. How long do the filters generally last?

https://www.purewaterproducts.com/ar...idge-capacity/


depends ......


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

That's why I asked. Some of the more remote areas of the Southeast haven't discovered that they can install electric pumps in wells.

FLASHBACK ...... (sorry)

No one would believe the number of hours I spent as a kid on the farm, cranking on these cistern pumps, which were shattered over the farm (out of the reach of electricity)......


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by shiumai

I've been using the chemical guys waterless wash for the last four years, once a week:
.

........ fine for SoCal dirty cars ......... we are talking North Carolina dirty cars here ........


humfrz