No Rinse Wash

[3Fitty]

I see that for many the no rinse wash (like Optimum) is all the rage which got me thinking. Assume for a second I'm not a pro-detailer (that is mobile and may not have access to water) and I don't live in an area with water restrictions, what if any are the benefits of a waterless wash over a conventional two bucket wash?

If given the choice (and again I'm assuming no water restriction), what are the reasons to go waterless?

Is it a better wash?

Is it safer in protecting against scratches?

Will my car look better after a no rinse wash?

I've never tried it (seen in on youtube vids) and I seem very unconvinced about it, UNLESS I was forced into because of need.

[CharlesW]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I see that for many the no rinse wash (like Optimum) is all the rage which got me thinking. Assume for a second I'm not a pro-detailer (that is mobile and may not have access to water) and I don't live in an area with water restrictions, what if any are the benefits of a waterless wash over a conventional two bucket wash?

If given the choice (and again I'm assuming no water restriction), what are the reasons to go waterless?

Is it a better wash?

Is it safer in protecting against scratches?

Will my car look better after a no rinse wash?

I've never tried it (seen in on youtube vids) and I seem very unconvinced about it, UNLESS I was forced into because of need.

While I do use a rinseless wash as well as a waterless wash quite often, I still think a true hose and bucket wash is hard to beat.

I don't consider them to be better, protect against scratches or look better than a traditional wash.

I do consider them less messy, (one or two gallons of water), something that can be done in the garage during the winter months, and something that can be done in the garage during the sunny part of the day. I remember rushing to get the vehicle washed and rinsed and driven into the garage to dry during that time of day. I used to get up at 5 or 6 in the morning to avoid the sun in my driveway.

A few years back, I wouldn't have considered using a waterless or rinseless wash, they probably are what I use 80 to 90 per cent of the time now.
As with any car care process, good wash media, good drying media, good technique, makes it work.

[Sal329]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I just picked up some ONR, I plan on using it beacuse we are only allowed to wash cars on Sundays. Now I cna wash my cars in the garage any time I want with less then 5 gallons of water.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: No Rinse Wash

If given the choice (and again I'm assuming no water restriction), what are the reasons to go waterless?

1. Is it a better wash?

2. Is it safer in protecting against scratches?

3. Will my car look better after a no rinse wash?

1. No
2. No
3. Better as compared to after washing with a normal car wash? No or about the same, our car washes are pretty hard to beat for maintaining a finish.

When it comes to removing abrasive dirt and/or any kind of contaminant off your car's paint and doing it in a way that reduces the potential for instilling swirls and scratches the best way to do this is to use a free flowing source of water and an ample amount of soap wash solution.

Meguiar's tested the available rinseless car washes in the past and after testing they concluded they could make a much better product compared to what was available but at this time the decision has been made to not introduce a rinseless wash because at this time the best way to wash a car is with a free flowing water source.

We offer a type of waterless wash in Australia because they have water restrictions in that country due to drought issues. Our position however is that the best way to remove abrasive dirt and contaminants without instilling swirls and scratches is to wash and rinse with free flowing water.

[CharlesW]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I just picked up some ONR, I plan on using it beacuse we are only allowed to wash cars on Sundays. Now I cna wash my cars in the garage any time I want with less then 5 gallons of water.

Much less.
I use two gallons, one gallon for wash water, one gallon to rinse the mitt/sponge/towel used for washing..
Many people do it with just the one gallon and have no problems.

[BlueZero]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I love no rinse wash! I originally bought it to wash in the winter but now use it 90% of the time. It's a huge time saver for me. I don't have proper drainage in my garage so washing conventional in the garage is out of the question. Plus if I did have drainage I can't imaging the water spray going all over everything else. I don't have any trees to provide shade so I can wash outside. I don't think you get a better wash. You can't really hose out the cracks like you can with a hose but most people probably don't need to do that very often. After I play in the mud with the Jeep is about the only time I do a conventional wash anymore.

I had two friends that didn't see the scene of using it. I gave them both samples. It took them awhile to finally break down and try it. Now they both come back to me addicting looking for refills.

I was at my parents house a month ago and my mom had just gotten a new vehicle. I brought a pail with a small bottle of ONR, wash mitt and two drying towels. A few gallons of water and I washed it. She said if she knew washing her car could be that easy she would do it. She's been bugging me ever since to bring her some ONR.

I think it's at least worth trying a few times. It's just one of those things you have to see for yourself. I will say it is weird and a bit unnatural the first few times not rinsing.

[roushstage2]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I see that for many the no rinse wash (like Optimum) is all the rage which got me thinking. Assume for a second I'm not a pro-detailer (that is mobile and may not have access to water) and I don't live in an area with water restrictions, what if any are the benefits of a waterless wash over a conventional two bucket wash?

If given the choice (and again I'm assuming no water restriction), what are the reasons to go waterless?

Is it a better wash?

Is it safer in protecting against scratches?

Will my car look better after a no rinse wash?

I've never tried it (seen in on youtube vids) and I seem very unconvinced about it, UNLESS I was forced into because of need.

I have used it a few times and I am very impressed with it. My car had been driven in the rain for a couple of weeks, and I used it (2 gallons with a grit guard) with no problems and no swirls. Less messy since you don't have to drag everything out. The finish it left was very, very nice. Extremely glossy looking. I am not on any water restrictions, so I have it tucked away in a travel detail bucket for say a car show or something that I'd have to drive to. When you use it with the basic OCD common sense, it works great!

[3Fitty]

Re: No Rinse Wash

1. No
2. No
3. Better as compared to after washing with a normal car wash? No or about the same, our car washes are pretty hard to beat for maintaining a finish.

When it comes to removing abrasive dirt and/or any kind of contaminant off your car's paint and doing it in a way that reduces the potential for instilling swirls and scratches the best way to do this is to use a free flowing source of water and an ample amount of soap wash solution.

Meguiar's tested the available rinseless car washes in the past and after testing they concluded they could make a much better product compared to what was available but at this time the decision has been made to not introduce a rinseless wash because at this time the best way to wash a car is with a free flowing water source.

We offer a type of waterless wash in Australia because they have water restrictions in that country due to drought issues. Our position however is that the best way to remove abrasive dirt and contaminants without instilling swirls and scratches is to wash and rinse with free flowing water.

Thank you for the comprehensive response. I figured as much but feel better hearing it from a pro, although the prospect of the rinseless wash in the dead of winter seems like a good idea for us northerners!!!

[3Fitty]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I love no rinse wash! I originally bought it to wash in the winter but now use it 90% of the time.

My concern is that if I was to use it in the winter (lets say after a major snow storm), the car ususally has a lot of gunk all over it (road salt, slush etc...). I feel as though the rinseless washes are a recipe for scratching the paint. Obviously since I've never used one, I could be wrong but I still am apprehensive.

[CharlesW]

Re: No Rinse Wash

My concern is that if I was to use it in the winter (lets say after a major snow storm), the car ususally has a lot of gunk all over it (road salt, slush etc...). I feel as though the rinseless washes are a recipe for scratching the paint. Obviously since I've never used one, I could be wrong but I still am apprehensive.

When I have those conditions, I stop by the DIY spray wash and rinse off the majority of the "gunk".
For me, the rinseless washes and the waterless washes are a great thing for winter use. Pretty handy for summer use as well.

[kty10]

Re: No Rinse Wash

Some people that wash with ONR put some of the solution in a sprayer to pre-treat a really dirty car. I've heard people going to a coin-op car wash and spraying their cars first, and then using ONR to wash. I've used ONR with mostly good results, but I still use my NXT car wash soap.

[Mark2]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I can use a hose when ever I want, but for a quick wash it's pretty hard to beat a No Rinse wash. I never bother to wash wheels, wheel wells and lower parts with it, too messy. But if you just have a little dirt and dust it's very fast and safe in my opinion. Better than using a QD or duster to clean with for sure. And as clay lube it's very good and cheap also.

[Larry A]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I also like ONR. Ive used QEW before , but I think that ONR leaves a glossier finish.Poorboys Spray n Wipe is also good if the car is not too dirty.

[saturn2]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I bought ONR because I didn't want to turn my driveway into a skating rink in the winter. But, I have found that it's a great time saver when your going to do a lot of other work to the car such as polishing etc.
I resisted buying it at first blush Because, I knew it could not replace or surpass my 62 car wash or any other one for that matter.
I wish megs would revisit there decision on a No rinse wash. But I do believe that this wash if sold would have to go on either the detailer line or the Pro line. This should be sold marketed to pro's only.

[Bunky]

Re: No Rinse Wash

I am sure the average consumer would never accept a product like ONR after being trained to believe that suds is everything so a detailer line makes sense.

My ideal wash is something that rinses cleanly so ideally all the lubricity but no extra rinsing to remove suds or what is left. I know many people face the issue of being able to wash and rinse well enough outdoors in partial sun to not have water spots to deal with.