Waterless Car Wash

[2022 Mach 1]

I'm open to other suggestions. My next option is to go with reverse osmosis machine but they are pricy. I have unbelievably hard water and no matter how quick you try to dry, inevitably I'll still get some spotting.

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[Labradog]

I've had good luck with the ONR suggested above. Use an IK (or another brand) sprayer to go over the car before touching it, then a bucket with towels soaked in solution.

 

[DFB5.0]

First of all, there are two terminologies to unpack here.

Water-less Washing - This is where the only liquid used is the actual chosen product. You spray, then wipe, flipping or replacing the towel often. This is a method I rarely use and probably best only used at a pinch on dusty rather than dirty vehicles.

Rinse-less Washing - This method uses a solution made up in a bucket with multiple towels soaking in it. You also have a solution mixed in a sprayer to pre-treat. You then wipe with a towel, flipping to a clean side as much as possible. When each side of the towel has been used, put it aside and grab another from the bucket. Use a clean, dry towel to dry up the remaining water/solution. I prefer this method as there is more liquid involved to encapsulate the dirt. Again, I tend to only use Rinse-less on dusty or moderately dirty vehicles.

Expanding on the rinse-less method, this is what you need and the steps in which to do the job safely (Please note, some of these pics are from different days using different towels/products, I did this more so to better illustrate the method) -

-A water-less/rinse-less wash solution. Look towards Optimum No Rinse (ONR), Mckee's N-914 or Carpro ECH2o. I like all three but probably prefer ONR.

-You will need a number of quality towels for this job. I like square towels, they are folded and segmented easier. I use these 16x16 Platimum Pluffle's and have 10 of them dedicated for this role.

-Mix up your bucket solution following the recommended ratio. If you suck at dilutions like I do, try this website to work out the quantities of water and product -

Dilution Ratio Calculator (omnicalculator.com)

-Then add your towels to the bucket. For a Mustang, you will probably use about 6 - 8 towels.

-You also need to mix up a pre-treatment solution of your chosen product, this is then sprayed onto the panel prior to wiping with the towel -

-Once pretreated, remove a towel from the bucket, lightly ring it out and then fold it so that you end up with 8 sides to work with. Then start wiping with light pressure in the one direction. Flip the towel to a clean side as needed.

-Then return with a drying towel to mop up any residue left behind.

Because a dirty towel is never returned to the bucket, the washing solution remains clean. And the fact you keep flipping to a clean side or towel regularly, it can actually be a safer wash method. It also means you can re-use the solution for the next wash if desired. I tip it down the drain myself.

For someone new to this wash method, it can take a while to become comfortable and efficient with rinse-less washing. Given the choice, I always favor a full bucket wash with plenty of water, it's just how I prefer to clean, but there are certainly benefits to rinse-less washing. I think the important thing to consider is how dirty the car is, sometimes it's just easier and quicker to clean a dirty car with water.

 

[DFB5.0]

This video is pretty good at showing how to do this sort of washing -

(14) McKee's 37 N-914 Rinseless Wash - ONR Killer! - YouTube

 

[Zelek]

does a leaf blower count?

I did that at first and it worked okay mostly. I like the BLO-DRY dryer because it's less clunky, very strong for its size and focuses the air to get all of the water out of cracks and crevices.

 

[Coastal-Mach]

I did that at first and it worked okay mostly. I like the BLO-DRY dryer because it's less clunky, very strong for its size and focuses the air to get all of the water out of cracks and crevices.

Which one do you have?

 

[Zelek]

Which one do you have?

Amazon.com: BLO Car Dryer AIR-S - Quickly Dry Your Entire Vehicle After a Wash - No More Drips, No More Scratches : Automotive

 

[Coastal-Mach]

Amazon.com: BLO Car Dryer AIR-S - Quickly Dry Your Entire Vehicle After a Wash - No More Drips, No More Scratches : Automotive

Thanks Matt

 

[Magnetic Stang]

I use Chemical Guys or Ethos waterless wash regularly when I don't feel like getting the pressure washer out. It doesn't fully replace 2 bucket handwashing IMO. Also in winter I mostly use waterless wash when the cars are in the garage. Zero worries about scratching the paint as long as you're using good technique and quality microfiber towels. I buy in concentrate and dilute it with distilled water in a handheld pump sprayer.

 

[AvalancheSVT]

man that shot shows off all the curves on these cars. is that magnetic?

 

[aham23]

ONR! Can not say it loud enough. Best out there for waterless wash.

 

[Magnetic Stang]

man that shot shows off all the curves on these cars. is that magnetic?

It is. I love the way the paint look under those lights. lol

 

[thedervidd]

First of all, there are two terminologies to unpack here.

Water-less Washing - This is where the only liquid used is the actual chosen product. You spray, then wipe, flipping or replacing the towel often. This is a method I rarely use and probably best only used at a pinch on dusty rather than dirty vehicles.

Rinse-less Washing - This method uses a solution made up in a bucket with multiple towels soaking in it. You also have a solution mixed in a sprayer to pre-treat. You then wipe with a towel, flipping to a clean side as much as possible. When each side of the towel has been used, put it aside and grab another from the bucket. Use a clean, dry towel to dry up the remaining water/solution. I prefer this method as there is more liquid involved to encapsulate the dirt. Again, I tend to only use Rinse-less on dusty or moderately dirty vehicles.

Expanding on the rinse-less method, this is what you need and the steps in which to do the job safely (Please note, some of these pics are from different days using different towels/products, I did this more so to better illustrate the method) -

-A water-less/rinse-less wash solution. Look towards Optimum No Rinse (ONR), Mckee's N-914 or Carpro ECH2o. I like all three but probably prefer ONR.

-You will need a number of quality towels for this job. I like square towels, they are folded and segmented easier. I use these 16x16 Platimum Pluffle's and have 10 of them dedicated for this role.

-Mix up your bucket solution following the recommended ratio. If you suck at dilutions like I do, try this website to work out the quantities of water and product -

Dilution Ratio Calculator (omnicalculator.com)

-Then add your towels to the bucket. For a Mustang, you will probably use about 6 - 8 towels.

-You also need to mix up a pre-treatment solution of your chosen product, this is then sprayed onto the panel prior to wiping with the towel -

-Once pretreated, remove a towel from the bucket, lightly ring it out and then fold it so that you end up with 8 sides to work with. Then start wiping with light pressure in the one direction. Flip the towel to a clean side as needed.

-Then return with a drying towel to mop up any residue left behind.

Because a dirty towel is never returned to the bucket, the washing solution remains clean. And the fact you keep flipping to a clean side or towel regularly, it can actually be a safer wash method. It also means you can re-use the solution for the next wash if desired. I tip it down the drain myself.

For someone new to this wash method, it can take a while to become comfortable and efficient with rinse-less washing. Given the choice, I always favor a full bucket wash with plenty of water, it's just how I prefer to clean, but there are certainly benefits to rinse-less washing. I think the important thing to consider is how dirty the car is, sometimes it's just easier and quicker to clean a dirty car with water.

Good call. I guess I meant rinseless washes, not waterless! Thanks for the post.

 

[jon.smith76063]

I have been using Chemical Guys Eco Smart Waterless car wash on all my cars. I will use a pressure washer and 2 bucket methods about once a quarter. My Roush gets driven about 3 times a week but my truck and my wife's Bronco are DD. The key to all of this is to have good paint and prep work prior to switching to this method. All of mine are paint corrected and ceramic coated so things come off much easier.

 

[Stage_3]

I use Adam's waterless wash.
If you order through the website, they almost always have sales going. I just ordered the other night,......Buy one, get one free.

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