PR: Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine

DLB

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Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine
autogeek_2079_34974237


This is a product I had wanted to try for a while, but had just never pulled the trigger on. Now I am thinking, WHY DID I WAIT?

I have read several reviews and how-to's on this product, but for the sake of fair reviewing, used it as directed on the instructions.

For washing:
The directions call for diluting the product 1oz to 2 gallons of water. To ensure that I got the correct ratio, I measured this exactly. I first measured the cap (on the 32oz bottle) to see how much it held. I measured out 1/2 oz. of water into the cap full using a marinade injector.
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I then graduated my wash bucket by filling it up with 128 ounces at a time.
PB254516.JPG


The 32oz. cap is exactly 1/2 ounce. So two cap full's of ONR to 2 gallons of water is what the directions call for.

The only place I deviated was my choice of wash media. I used my blue Lake Country Sponge. Let me take time to say - I love this sponge. The more you use it, the softer it gets, and the more it compresses. I will be picking up a couple more of these soon.

I am washing a daily driver black Cavalier. (Still in need of correction).
Before:
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The No Rinse was a joy to use. I used it on the entire vehicle, less inner fenders. The inner fenders were caked in mud, so I am going to wash them later with some water pressure.

Just as the directions state, I did one panel at a time, then followed immediately by drying with a Guzzler WW. The product does a great job of trapping the dirt onto your sponge. For this reason, I used a 2nd rinse bucket with a Grit Guard installed. I did not use a grit guard in my wash bucket as per usual due to the lesser amount of washing water used.

The panels come clean easily and they are are visibly clean after washing. I did not feel at all like I was inducing and scratching or swirling while using this.

After drying, the finish is just like you would expect - clean and shiny. (Reminder - this car is still awaiting correction).
After:
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The rinse bucket collected a ton of dirt, so I would strongly advise using 2 buckets to wash, and grit guard.
I got a picture of the sunlight shining through half of the bucket so you can see really good how dirty it got.
PB254526.JPG


This entire wash was completed in my closed garage, with warm tap water in my buckets. It was about 45° outside, so this was nice.

Following the directions exactly as stated on the bottle (substituting only my Lake Country Foam instead of a microfiber) I achieved excellent results, and look forward to using this product more. It did take me just a few minutes longer to complete this was as a traditional wash, but not by much. The 2 gallons of water with the 1 ounce of ONR was sufficient to wash this small 4-door car. On a larger truck or SUV, you may want to use 3 or 4 gallons.

As a clay lube:
I also mixed up some of the ONR as a clay lube used with the XMT Speed Clay. Previously I had been using Meguiar's Quik Detailer for clay lube.

As a clay lube, this is an excellent choice. It kept the surface plenty lubricated, but not TOO slick. The clay was able to perform nicely on top of this solution. If for nothing else, this product is great in this respect.

Pro's: Everything about it. Affordable, highly concentrated so it goes a long ways, and easy to follow instructions.

Con's: None.

All in all, I highly recommend this product for anyone looking to do inside washes, or in the need of clay lube. It is nice to conserve the water as well. Not to mention, you can use warm wash and rinse water the whole time you are using it.

DLB
 
Good write up.

How much pressure do you apply paint with the LC foam sponge?
 
Nice review, Dalton. I, too, have been wanting to try this for a long time. Time and time again I hear great things about it. I need to pull the trigger and add it to my next order.

Colin
 
do it! I'm on my 3rd gallon and love it! Now I've got some DP Rinseless wash n shine that is getting some props as well, but I haven';t had the chance to try it. I don't think you can go wrong either way. Most people are skeptical until they actually get their hands on it!

Did I say I love ONR?
 
Nice review, can I use this outside in colder weather ?

Sure can. My first time using ONR was last week and I gotta say, I'm impressed with this stuff. It was quite cold outside so I used warm water to keep my hands from freezing. :props: Made it through an entire wash in about 25 minutes.
 
Bunky - I use just enough pressure with the LC Sponge to make it actually grab the dirt - which is very little.
I use more pressure with it on the traditional wash than I did with the ONR because it seemed to be doing it job just with me sliding the sponge across the surface.

Colin - add it to your cart, you will be glad.

DLB
 
Sure can. My first time using ONR was last week and I gotta say, I'm impressed with this stuff. It was quite cold outside so I used warm water to keep my hands from freezing. :props: Made it through an entire wash in about 25 minutes.

Thanks
 
Using warm water is a big help with both rinseless and hose & bucket washes.
I personally feel that the warm water not only is more comfortable, but does a better job of cleaning.

Another cold weather tip. Wear waterproof gloves. Dry hands are much warmer than wet hands. Dish washing gloves that reach about 1/2 way between my wrist and elbow work great.
Some people suggest insulated scuba gloves, but the $2-$3 dish washing gloves fit my budget a little better. :)
 
Bunky - I use just enough pressure with the LC Sponge to make it actually grab the dirt - which is very little.
I use more pressure with it on the traditional wash than I did with the ONR because it seemed to be doing it job just with me sliding the sponge across the surface.

Colin - add it to your cart, you will be glad.

DLB

Thanks for the review! On the LC sponge I have been thinking about trying this. I might get it in tonights cart. Did you convert from MF wash mitt? Thats what I currently use.

ONR as clay lube: I found something I liked and will stick woth it! How can you beat the price!
 
Very nice review; thank you for taking time to do it for us:dblthumb2:

PS Sponges scare the heck out of me. I would be afraid that a particle of sand or dirt would get trapped and scratch before it migrated into one of the channels ...I only use natural sheepskin wash mitts. Just my humble thoughts.
 
Nice review!!

The ONE thing I have not used it for yet, is a wash, and I already know I will never be without it. For the simple fact of its versatility, and doing a great job at all of them. A QD, especially for wiping down doorjambs and such, a clay lube, and an ounce or 2 along with my normal shampoo during wash.

Great stuff!!
 
Did you convert from MF wash mitt?
Yup.

Tad - I feel that way with most sponges, but this one is a little different for me. It just "feels" nice. But, as everyone here knows, without proper rinsing in between panels, any sponge, mitt, brush, etc. can trap dirt and wipe it across the surface.

DLB
 
Yup.

Tad - I feel that way with most sponges, but this one is a little different for me. It just "feels" nice. But, as everyone here knows, without proper rinsing in between panels, any sponge, mitt, brush, etc. can trap dirt and wipe it across the surface.

DLB

Dalton,

I agree with you about proper washing/rinsing techniques, however I feel that a natural sheepskin mitt or natural sea sponge offers a lot more media for particles to be sheltered in between rinses. However if you are using this particular sponge I'm sure it's a great product. I myself just feel more comfortable with the sheepskin mitt (Plus it feels soooo luxurious...it's like candy for my car).
 
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Dalton,

I agree with you about proper washing/rinsing techniques, however I feel that a natural sheepskin mitt or natural sea sponge offers a lot more media for particles to be sheltered in between rinses. However if you are using this particular sponge I'm sure it's a great product. I myself just feel more comfortable with the sheepskin mitt (Plus it feels soooo luxurious...it's like candy for my car).
Hey - no worries on my end (in other words - you didn't hurt my feelings).

I figure they sell so many different types of wash media for 1 of 2 reasons.
1. "They" realize not everyone is going to like the same thing, so they just give you choice.
2. "They" realize there's a group of people out there that just can't possibly narrow it down to one, so they are just marketing to us...err...them.

I have used Natural Sea Sponges, Microfiber sponges and the like, sheepskin...all kinds of stuff. And I probably will use something else eventually. I am just so big hearted - I like seeing all these companies stay in business, so I want to do my part. :D

DLB
 
ONR Wash Media

FWIW, I have used MF towels, MF covered sponges, sea sponges, grout sponges, cotton chenille covered sponges and cotton chenille mitts with rinseless washes and can't really say that I was unhappy with any of them. They all seemed to work good and left no noticeable marring.
It seems that I just grab whatever is handy and it works fine.
 
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