13 replies to this topic

[Joshua]

why not get a window :X

i agree with the other guys, water is just much better and easier, and where not in doubt so no reason it can't be used.

[mitchg]

I only like waterless when you arrive to a show and you need to do some touch-ups etc. Im more worried it will scratch etc. All depends how dirty it is though, but i like water

[Rainman]

What is the consensus 9 years later. I use rainwater but advised waterless wash is the way to go ?

[77lx308]

Pretty much the same - use water and suds if its filthy. Waterless if you just want to give it a quick once over and it is not that grubby to start.

Personally if it is relatively dirty I just use a chamois and rinse out regular rather than a full "bath"

[Rockoz]

Where I work, there is a machine that almost distills the water.

Used on a long pole for washing upper floor windows.

Client is very fussy.

They wear white most of the time, so must hate getting dirty.

It leaves the windows absolutely streak free when done.

If I had a car worthy of the attention, I would probably get some end product out of the machine for a final rinse on a car wash.

Ive used the waterless product from Meguiars.

Did a good job, but was hesitant to use it on the dirtier bits.

Ended up giving the area a good wet down with the cleaner, and it came up quite well.

Was a Phantom Black Metallic car. No evidence of fine scratches after it.

But I had also Tech Waxed it previously so that possibly helped.

[Matth1000]

If you don't want to use the hose I would go with Frothe from AMMO NYC.

Frothe comes with a dedicated spray bottle the foams as it comes out.

Works really well. Provides a very sudsy and slippery barrier.

Dude that makes it, Larry, is the guy that actually comes up with the formulas.

If you want to learn about detailing on YouTube I would recommend only watching this guy, gets very confusing watching different people and getting different ideas.

You have to use heaps of microfiber towels but is a great option if you don't want to wet your car, no rinsing required when done.

spray on, wipe off.

 

I wouldn't recommenced pressure washers on the old cars, door and window seals are not as good as they are on the newer cars.

Before I had the AMMO NYC Frothe I would;

 

Make a bucket of warm to hot water with heaps of soap and a 100 mL kerosene.

Kero strips any old wax or polish off and gives a nice shine.

Sponge it on with a wool mitt, don't press at all.

Rinse it off with a hose on minimum pressure.

I then used a pet air dryer to dry it to minimise marring the paint while drying, I hate polishing. Don't get the expensive Metro vac thing, no better than this.

https://www.ebay.com...ddce1:rk:1:pf:0

If you don't want to use air to dry use a drying aid as you dry.

Polish the car to remove all swirl marks.

I would then wipe down with a watered down Iso Alcohol mix so paint is wax and oil free.

I used to apply the sealant or wax at this step but now I use the CarPro ceramic coating, UK 3.0 let that dry for 24 hours, apply the CarPro Reload spray sealant let dry for an hour or 2 then Collinite over that.

UK3.0 lasts for years so only need to apply once, only way its coming off before 2 years is with mechanical polisher, harsh chemicals will shorten its life.

 

Once you have done that no need to do every time.

For maintenance washes all I do know is Frothe wash, apply Collinite Insulator Wax and that's it.

 

De-ionised water is great if you don't want to rinse the car, I have a unit that I use at home and on customers cars and really is a time saver and because you don't have to dry the car it not only saves time but decreases you chance of marring the paint as well.

In Perth we have pretty hard water so De-ionisation cost about $10 per hour of hose time, other states its as low 2 or 3 buck /hour.

 

Hope this info helps.

 

[Matth1000]

Yeah if the car is not really muddy or sandy, just light dust then its fine. you also have to do have the correct technique like rolling your palm slightly as you wipe so you don't grind the dirt into the paint.

Do all the cleaner parts of the car first and work your way down to the bottom of the doors then get a new towel, start at the top and work down, repeat.