How do I go "rinse-less" with Gold Class?

[Jossy92]

Here's my initial game plan. Any advice appreciated:

1. Lightly spray cold shaded vehicle with fan setting and let dirt "soften" for a few minutes.

2. Foam on Gold class with Foam gun for "dwell time" and let soak.

3. Using Clean Water, a 5 gal bucket, grit guard and sheepskin mitt [lubricity], very, very, very gently agitate and remove remaining dirt and soap film. [Use hands for first pass if necessary]

[repeat with clean water until the car is "rinsed"...same idea as using gentle stream from hose end. ]

4. "Wing it" with QD on any anomalies

I know there are a lot of reasons why this wouldn't work. Any ideas to make it work?. I will try it.

In the past I have found the foam gun results in much less water usage. It's the rinsing that is the problem.

I prefer to support Megs. Even though waterless would not be appropriate for a concourse detail....Meg chemists could blow away the competition if they developed one.

[Bert31]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

I think you are confusing waterless and rinseless. Rinseless means you mix the solution in a bucket of water but never need to rinse. Waterless means you are not using any water, you spray the product on and wipe it off.

If you want to use Gold Class, I would use it as it is intended to be used which would include rinsing it off. Your method would most likely leave soap on the paint which you do not want.

Even though waterless would not be appropriate for a concourse detail.

While I haven't built up the courage to do it, there are many detailers better than I am who will use waterless washing on car and I think their work would qualify as being concourse.

Once you get the process down, anyone can do concourse work with the rinseless products.

[MarkH]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

I've seen a thread or two on another board about someone using regular car wash shampoo as a rinseless wash with some success. I would be wary of doing that because products like Gold Class car wash (a great product!) are not designed for use in that way.

The process you described seems like it would take a long time and you might have to resort to rinsing anyway to remove all the soap. It isn't a sin to use products that don't come from Meguiar's, and Optimum No Rinse is perfect for what you want to do. You can wash your entire vehicle (depending on how big it is) with just 2-4 gallons of water. The process is easy and all you need is your bucket (or 2 if you choose,) grit guard, wash mitt of your choice, and a drying towel or two. Fill up one bucket with the desired amount of water, and throw in 1 oz of ONR for every 2 gallons of water used. Soak your wash mitt/sponge in the solution, wipe down a panel, then follow with a drying towel. If you are using a 2-bucket method, rinse your mitt in the clean water before grabbing more solution. The ONR has polymers that encapsulate the dirt, lifting it off of your paint and keeping it on your wash mitt. Just rub your wash mitt against your grit guard to release the dirt and keep it off of your car. I have found the process goes alot quicker than a standard car wash and can handle some pretty dirty cars. If your vehicle has caked on mud and such you might want to spray that off first.

I love Meguair's products, but this niche is one they have yet to fill. Optimum No Rinse isn't the only rinseless product out there either, but it is the one I have used and I am really happy with it. As far as the foam gun is concerned keep it around for heavily soiled vehicles that may very well require a standard wash. But if you are looking at reducing your water usage give ONR a try!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Just to chime in,

All our car washes are intended to be rinsed off with flowing water.

[Jossy92]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Thanks for the feedback. I am just trying to defuse a carwash issue at my condo and your replies sure helped.

[akimel]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

What is your objective?

If your objective is to wash the car using the least amount of water possible (perhaps because of local water restrictions or simply because of convenience), then you should use a rinseless product that is dedicated to the job. Optimum No-Rinse would be a good choice. ONR works. It gets the job done. A growing number of professionals are using it regularly, especially mobile guys. I really think Meguiar's should produce a product that works as well as if not better than ONR; but until it does, then those who want to use a rinseless wash will need to use a non-Meguiar's rinseless product. Loyalty to Meguiar's should not prevent you from getting the right product for the job.

If your objective is to safely wash the car with minimal touches (an admirable goal), then you will need a pressure washer and a foam gun/lance, which I presume you have. The use of the pressure washer will save you on water usage and will effectively rinse off the shampoo.

I do not see any advantages to the process you have outlined, but I do see disadvantages. For example, after you have allowed the foam to sit for a while, you should rinse it off immediately. You do not want to be touching your car with a mitt until you have rinsed off the foam and all the dirt and grit it has unlodged. It doesn't matter how "careful" and "gentle" you intend to be. If you have not properly rinsed the surface, then you will swirl the paint. And once you have rinsed off the foam, you do not want to be touching the surface with a mitt and just water. You need some kind of lubricant, i.e., properly formulated car shampoo, between the paint and the mitt.

Just my opinion, of course. Good luck!

Cheers,
Al

[Bostonsfavson]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Loyalty to Meguiar's should not prevent you from getting the right product for the job.

+1

OP, you're the type of person for which ONR was invented. Take advantage of a wonderful product--go out and get some. Just so your Meg's arsenal doesn't feel slighted, feel free to use some UQD or UQW and apply it after you do each panel, or when you're all done

[MyFirstES300]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Thanks for the feedback. I am just trying to defuse a carwash issue at my condo and your replies sure helped.

Jossy, I am in the exact same situation as you with my condo association. My association prohibits the washing of cars on the property (however, they allow kiddie swimming pools to be filled by owners in the summer time. Go figure!)

I did try the ONR route, as that is allowed since I am not hauling out a hose. While the concept is great, I just don't think it is for me because of my skepticism and non-confidence that I could use it correctly and not cause scratches and swirls into the paint. I did watch several videos demonstrating how to use the product and different methods of how people use ONR. With some videos, I thought to myself "what's the point" when folks were using the 2 bucket method, when ONR's original directions call for a single bucket.

[Alex C.]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

I can vouch for ONR. I was wary at first to use it on my truck but it can clean without damage. I used it for the second time on my truck yesterday and it came out great. This wash was after a weekend out in the desert. One bucket, one grit guard and one mitt.

[Bert31]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

I can vouch for ONR. I was wary at first to use it on my truck but it can clean without damage. I used it for the second time on my truck yesterday and it came out great. This wash was after a weekend out in the desert. One bucket, one grit guard and one mitt.

I must be a coward. After a winter season of using ONR, I am still using two buckets and two grit guards, just no hose needed.

[Bostonsfavson]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Jossy, I am in the exact same situation as you with my condo association. My association prohibits the washing of cars on the property (however, they allow kiddie swimming pools to be filled by owners in the summer time. Go figure!)

I did try the ONR route, as that is allowed since I am not hauling out a hose. While the concept is great, I just don't think it is for me because of my skepticism and non-confidence that I could use it correctly and not cause scratches and swirls into the paint. I did watch several videos demonstrating how to use the product and different methods of how people use ONR. With some videos, I thought to myself "what's the point" when folks were using the 2 bucket method, when ONR's original directions call for a single bucket.

I *promise* that you won't be introducing any more marring using ONR than you would a traditional wash. In fact, ONR causes less, if any (noticeable) marring.

I just use one bucket and a grit guard with a MF wash mitt. ONR is absolute voodoo in a bottle (I stole that from SuperBee). It's definitely a bit nerve-wracking the first few times you use it, as it seems impossible that you're not harming the vehicle's finish. However, that just isn't the case. If you're really paranoid about marring, or you have a particularly dirty car, just mix some up in a sprayer and pre-spray the panel prior to washing.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

I *promise* that you won't be introducing any more marring using ONR than you would a traditional wash. In fact, ONR causes less, if any (noticeable) marring.

If Meguiar's ever brought out Rinseless wash like ONR or any of the other similar products, I know the first question someone will post to this forum will go like this,


Won't washing my car like this scratch my paint?


Doesn't matter how much you or anyone else likes these types of products and it doesn't matter how well you can make the case that these products together with good technique makes the process safe, as a person that answers every imaginable question under the sun, I can guarantee you the above will be the first question posted about a product like this and I will also guarantee you that the person asking it will want detailed assurances as to the safety of the product and the process.

There's also a certain segment of the online enthusiasts that are extremely AR and it's these people that will expect the most detailed explanations typed out so they can then dissect and discuss them.

[Bert31]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

If Meguiar's ever brought out Rinseless wash like ONR or any of the other similar products, I know the first question someone will post to this forum will go like this,


Won't washing my car like this scratch my paint?

You are probably correct but like it or not, with a very Pro Environment president and congress, I don't see how we are going to be able to avoid using rinseless washes in the future. So those AR posters are just going to have to get over their insecurity and change their ways.

[Bostonsfavson]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Very true, Mike. Not surprisingly, I'm very particular about my paint, and it took a great leap of faith on my part to try a rinseless wash product. The impetus for me was that I have a mobile detailing business, and it was becoming cumbersome to have to do a traditional wash on a client's vehicle at their home or office. After I tried it a few times, I was a convert.

I still don't know how exactly something like ONR, with the consistency of water, works. Of course, I don't know how exactly a plane flies, but I know that it does With the public becoming more environmentally conscious, and municipalities enacting more and more washing bans/regulations, rinseless washes will only become prevalent. Here's hoping Meg's will be introducing their own rinseless wash soon!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How do I go "waterless" with Gold Class?

Here is another convert to ONR. I was like many mentioned before. Very skeptical , despite all the rave reviews here and on other forums. I tried it and was a instant convert. I also wish Meguiars would come out with a product like this.