Review: Mr. Clean Auto Dry

[TH0001]

I was at Target yesterday and came across this. I figured, since living in Flordia, water spots are a major concern and I would give this a try.

The AutoDry system features a pistol like nossel that disperses either soap water, water, or a spot free rinse that is filtered through filters (duh) and is supposed to eliminate the minerals that cause water spots.

I filled the system with the supplied soap and pulled the Jimmy into the drive way. It was slightly overcast (the sun was poking through at times) and about 80 degrees, the surface of the car was cool. I wet the entire car then followed the directions exactly. I wet each panel, then sprayed the soap spray on to the panel, soaped up the mitt, then wiped the panel, then rinised with water, then used the spot free rinse to sheet away the rinse water.

I started with the roof, then worked around the car. I followed the supplied directions exactly. After I finished I let the vehicle dry, as the sun came out fully.

The results were horrible. My car is baked in waterspots and soap residue. I was really dissapointed with the system as a whole. The soap didnot provide the lubrication I am used to with Hyperwash or NXT Wash, (infact I have swirls in the paint now, which ***** considering that less then a month ago I hit the surface with DACP and 80, and it was perfect). The scum or residue is thick and it the water spots cover the entire vehicle, everywhere.

I don't recommend this system, or atleast following the directions of this system. However, in fairness, I would never wash a vehicle with this much sun in Florida (though it was overcast for the most part, it was more then I feel comfortable with).

My next plan to use this system (before I return it, I think) is to use NXT soap in the gun as well as go back to the two bucket method. I will wash like normal, but hit each section with some filltered water from the spray gun to rinise away the mineral water and use the soap in the gun to wash the mitt between sections. I will then pull it in the garage and towel dry the remaining water. I think this system might still have use, and I will post the results when I am finished with this to see if it helps.

Anyways, the goodnews is Mr. Clean backs the system with a year long return policy, so I can return it if it provides no value.

[gb387]

I have read many reviews on this system some good some bad, kind of a mixed bag.... Seems many use part of the system(spot free) in conjunction with their own higher quality car wash like NXT or Gold Class.

[the3dwizard]

I did not like the soap supplied with it either. I put NXT in the gun as well and went to one bucket for just rinsing the mitts. The main thing is to use the DI water for rinsing. If you have very hard water the little DI cartridge will not remove it all. I still blow off the water with a leaf blower and then get up any extra with a Mequiar's Water Magnet Drying Towel.

Cheers!

[LiquidBlack]

From what I've heard, the Mr. Clean soap also leaves a film behind. Much more noticeable on dark cars, I imagine.

[Cadude]

I used the MCAD for almost 2 years before I finally moved on. I actually feel it does a good job but you really need to let it air dry in a clean envioroment. I don't have a garage, so in the hour or so it took to dry, every bit of dust and pollen stuck to the wet car.

I experimented with Gold Class and Deep Crystal soap in it. They work fine but do take longer to dry than the MCAD soap.

I never had a film problem even on dark cars. I think the folks that had this problem probably did not rinse the car as much I did before the deionizing rinse.

If you try other soaps, just be sure to rinse out the MCAD tank very well before using the other soaps. If you combine other soaps with the MCAD soap, you will find it tends to thinken and actally becomes gel-like.