Is waterless car wash safe?

M

Mtbalex

Member
Location
California
I am pretty old school. I have always used a wash that requires and initial rinse of water, clean, then rinse again. I have used mostly Meguiar's gold class. But now Ive been reading about Optimun And Detailers waterless car wash and it seems too good to be true. I've also read online that some of this stuff is harsh on the paint.

I have a black fx and you guys know how tough it is to avoid swirls and keep it clean. Are these waterless washes safe? It should I avoid and stick with the old fashion way.
 
I was very skeptical at first also, but a few of my car buddies highly recommended it.

I use Optimum no Rinse (ONR) whenever I am on my trips it works great. Two capfuls for a 2 gallon pail of water that's all you need. I just did my wheels and the bottom half of my FX in the hotel parking lot a few minutes ago.
I also add 1/2 of a capful to my regular car wash soap each wash, love it.
You can also make up a quick detail spray that works great for taking bugs off the front end when on the road, the instructions for making it are on the bottle.
 
I use Optimum No Rinse on my black FX no problems or swirls. If used right with a two bucket method, sheepskin wash mitt, and high quality microfiber drying towels there won't be any problems.

Im curious though about the harsh on paint comment you made as that isn't true. Do you have any links to where you read this?
 
This isn't true. Optimum No Rinse preserves your waxed finished. I've been using Optimum No Rinse since day 1 of having my FX with no issues and all that other BS in that article. Do some reading up in autogeek or autopia, a lot of people recommend it. ONR contains chemicals to help glide contaminants off the surface and has lubricating properties.
 
That article covers waterless carwashes. ONR is not waterless, it's rinseless. Huge difference. I would not want to use a waterless car wash, but rinseless usually works well.
 
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StuLax18 said:
That article covers waterless carwashes. ONR is not waterless, it's rinseless. Huge difference. I would not want to use a waterless car wash, but rinseless usually works well.
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This is important. Thanks for clearing that up.
I would never use a waterless product no matter how good it is.
ONR is great for mild to moderate cleaning which for me is 80% of the time.
If the car is filthy, I'd prefer to rinse-clean-rinse.
 
StuLax18 said:
That article covers waterless carwashes. ONR is not waterless, it's rinseless. Huge difference. I would not want to use a waterless car wash, but rinseless usually works well.
Click to expand...

I've been using waterless for a long time. The secret is in the MicroFiber towel used - and constantly flipping it to a clean side. The higher lubricity of waterless washes is meant to work with the MF to trap dirt in the towel. Folding into quarters gives me 8 sides to work with and I'll use two or three MF towels to WW the car. If you read up on detailers sites, nobody has issues with Waterless washes from reputable companies. The MF is just as important as the product though. Use the wrong towel and you can't take advantage of the product.

I've used both Griot's garage and Chemical Brother's waterless washes with no swirling or damage. I'll use it after it rains and I have light dirt and water spots. Heavier soil or grit on the car and I'll use a bucket wash. The spray on wipe off washes have their place below a bucket wash but above a detailer. If you read up on pro detailer sites, the quick detailer spray is now pretty much obsolete because of waterless washes. In general I ONLY use WW washes. Bucket washes happen only when there has been heavy soil on the car which turns out to be just a couple times a year.
 
I guess my reasoning is that my car is always dirty enough that I couldn't do a waterless wash when I decide to wash it. I agree if it's not that dirty you can just spray some cleaner on and wipe it off. That is what I would be doing, except I don't have my stuff with me.
 
Never tried this but sounds great for winter washes in garage

---------- Post Merged at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:53 AM ----------

No ice slick in driveway:smile (2):
 
MTN FX said:
Never tried this but sounds great for winter washes in garage

---------- Post Merged at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:53 AM ----------

No ice slick in driveway:smile (2):
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Which is exactly who they were designed for originally - cold weather or water restriction. They just got good enough to compete with regular washes.
 
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GEE35FX said:
I was very skeptical at first also, but a few of my car buddies highly recommended it.

I use Optimum no Rinse (ONR) whenever I am on my trips it works great. Two capfuls for a 2 gallon pail of water that's all you need. I just did my wheels and the bottom half of my FX in the hotel parking lot a few minutes ago.
I also add 1/2 of a capful to my regular car wash soap each wash, love it.
You can also make up a quick detail spray that works great for taking bugs off the front end when on the road, the instructions for making it are on the bottle.
Click to expand...
Sounds excellent Wayne. I will try out this product. I know you had a show & tell during your visit to Chicago trip, but I woo busy taking pictures!
 
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ONR recently came out with a new formula, too. I recommend waiting for it to be on sale at Detailed Image as one of their daily sales to save a couple bucks.
 
I've used ONR and it is great. No issues with micro swirls so far. I put it in a 2.5 gallon garden sprayer and wash with a thick microfiber mitt. Works very well!
 
My paint guy told me to never use water on my FX. Solids in the water aren't good for the paint. I have only ever washed my FX with Armor All's Wash & Wax. My FX looks sooo good, and it gets shinier every time. The key in the product is the lubricant, which doesn't allow dust/spots to scratch the paint. Sounded crazy the first time I used it, but I would never have it any other way after seeing how well it works :good:
 
In addition, enter code "RMN10" for 10% off your order at detailed image.

ymmv, i applied the code successfully but not seeing it discounted. Maybe it doesn't apply to sale items?
 
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