Rinse before quick detailer?

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jtk

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I'm trying to figure out my best options for cleaning my car. I live in a condo where I can't work on the car or wash it in the parking lot at all. I can use my parents' house on occasion, but I don't want to wear out the welcome so I'm reserving that for when I want to do more than just wash.

I've been reading various articles about this and I think that what I would be trying to clean constitutes more than light dust (dust and pollen building up over a week, not sure about dew but I'd assume dew does get on there also). So can I do something like use the coin operated spray wand to rinse the dust off, dry, and then use a quick detailer? Or does there need to be soap involved?

We're on the verge of a drought in Illinois so the dust is collecting like crazy...
 
jtk said:
I'm trying to figure out my best options for cleaning my car. I live in a condo where I can't work on the car or wash it in the parking lot at all. I can use my parents' house on occasion, but I don't want to wear out the welcome so I'm reserving that for when I want to do more than just wash.

I've been reading various articles about this and I think that what I would be trying to clean constitutes more than light dust (dust and pollen building up over a week, not sure about dew but I'd assume dew does get on there also). So can I do something like use the coin operated spray wand to rinse the dust off, dry, and then use a quick detailer? Or does there need to be soap involved?

We're on the verge of a drought in Illinois so the dust is collecting like crazy...
Click to expand...

you need to look NO further than the optimum polymer technologies line. if you don't have access to a hose, reserve the coin op wash for those times when the car is insanely dirty...rinse there, then take the car home and wash with no rinse, then dry.

optimum no rinse and opti-clean are all you need. no rinse is for the more intense grime. if it's bad enough, just pre-treat with a no rinse wash dilution in a spray bottle before you do the no rinse wash.

opti-clean can handle some pretty intense grime itself, but it's what an instant detailer always should have been. you'll be amazed at what it can actually get off of the car and NOT damage the finish in any capacity (when used correctly). you can literally wash the car without any water whatsoever. just make sure you have a bunch of clean, plush microfibers and use the quarter fold/flip method.
 
There is a lot of opinions that I have heard about instant detailers, but if it is a daily driver I would go ahead and rinse off with just water to remove as much
dust as possible then follow up with the QD, but if you want to avoid micro scratches as much as possible, I would use ONR. It will still micro scratch but probably about 70-90% less.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Infinitiman said:
There is a lot of opinions that I have heard about instant detailers, but if it is a daily driver I would go ahead and rinse off with just water to remove as much
dust as possible then follow up with the QD, but if you want to avoid micro scratches as much as possible, I would use ONR. It will still micro scratch but probably about 70-90% less.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

have you tried opti-clean? if you use it properly it won't damage the finish at all. the polymer package it has is super buff!
 
Thanks guys, I will check those out.

Swanicyouth, the car is dark gray (graphite mica). It's a DD and I don't have a garage, so I know it's not going to be perfect forever.
 
jtk said:
So can I do something like use the coin operated spray wand to rinse the dust off, dry, and then use a quick detailer? Or does there need to be soap involved?
Click to expand...

If you are going to do this, IMO you need to use the QD while drying, not after, you don't really want to be drying a wet, dirty car. A better option for your situation is to use a rinseless wash, like the aforementioned Opti-Clean, or Ultima Waterless Wash + is more cost effective.
 
Look at using Optimum No Rinse (ONR) and Ultima Waterless Wash Plus (UWWP)

ONR and UWWP are my go to products when water restrictions are in effect in my area and a traditional wash is not an option.

I use a Home Depot 1 gallon sprayer filled with an ONR solution to presoak each panel. I use a 5 gallon bucket with 2 gallons of ONR mix to wash my vehicle. I use UWWP to maintain between ONR washes.
 
wysiwyg said:
Look at using Optimum No Rinse (ONR) and Ultima Waterless Wash Plus (UWWP)

ONR and UWWP are my go to products when water restrictions are in effect in my area and a traditional wash is not an option.

I use a Home Depot 1 gallon sprayer filled with an ONR solution to presoak each panel. I use a 5 gallon bucket with 2 gallons of ONR mix to wash my vehicle. I use UWWP to maintain between ONR washes.
Click to expand...

wow!

srsly though..i am hoping you mean two ounces. five gallons of water with two ounces of No Rinse will yield a somewhat lean mixture. i suggest using max two gallons of water per ounce of No Rinse, which will be ideal if you are doing a two bucket wash since a lot of the wash solution just ends up in the rinse bucket. so you'll still have enough wash left to complete the job, even on a large vehicle.

if you are not using two buckets you can use proportionately less water and No Rinse.
 
jtk said:
I'm trying to figure out my best options for cleaning my car. I live in a condo where I can't work on the car or wash it in the parking lot at all. I can use my parents' house on occasion, but I don't want to wear out the welcome so I'm reserving that for when I want to do more than just wash.

I've been reading various articles about this and I think that what I would be trying to clean constitutes more than light dust (dust and pollen building up over a week, not sure about dew but I'd assume dew does get on there also). So can I do something like use the coin operated spray wand to rinse the dust off, dry, and then use a quick detailer? Or does there need to be soap involved?

We're on the verge of a drought in Illinois so the dust is collecting like crazy...
Click to expand...

I'm in Illinois also. The lack of rain has been great for washing the car, but horrible for the time between. Dust is everywhere.
 
builthatch said:
wow!

srsly though..i am hoping you mean two ounces. five gallons of water with two ounces of No Rinse will yield a somewhat lean mixture. i suggest using max two gallons of water per ounce of No Rinse, which will be ideal if you are doing a two bucket wash since a lot of the wash solution just ends up in the rinse bucket. so you'll still have enough wash left to complete the job, even on a large vehicle.

if you are not using two buckets you can use proportionately less water and No Rinse.
Click to expand...


1 oz of product to 2 gallons of water to make the ONR solution.

After re-reading it, I can see why it is confusing.
 
Thanks for all the good info guys! Getting together an order right now.

With the way things are going here, I expect that soon all the grass will blow away and I'll have to clean that off too. :)
 
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