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I have been experimenting with my ONR method for nine months. Here is the process I used last Saturday on my S2000:
1) 2 gals. of water, 2 ounces of ONR. We have hard water here in Roanoke County, so I go with the maximum prescribed amount. I only use one bucket, with grit guard.
2) I gently rinse one or more panels with ONR with a Lowe's Proline grout sponge. This effectively removes most of the dirt, and the grout sponge easily releases the dirt into the rinse bucket. The sponge is particularly helpful on the very lowest panels, which are typically the dirtiest.
3) I then go over the same panels again with ONR with a microfiber mitt. Because most of the dirt has already been picked up by the grout sponge, the mitt doesn't get as dirty when used exclusively, and I do like the feel of the mitt on the paint surface. I repeat as necessary.
4) When I believe that I have thoroughly cleaned the surface, I then begin to dry with either a waffleweave towel or a thick napped microfiber towel. As recommended by Scottwax, I use two towels.
5) With an ONR-dampened towel I wash the door and trunk jambs immediately after I have washed the door and trunk, respectively. I prefer doing this at this point rather than coming back to them. It makes sense to me.
6) When the entire vehicle has been washed and dried, I then wipe down hoses, coverings, and painted surfaces in the engine bay with an ONR-dampened towel.
7) With the same ONR-dampened towel, I wipe off the exhaust tips.
8) Finally, I wash the tires and wheels with the remaining ONR rinse, using the appropriate brushes. With my wheels I find that I need to also use a dampened towel to remove all the brake dust and dirt. I then dry the tire and wheel.
The glaring weakness in this method is the failure to properly attend to the wheel wells and rim barrels. I haven't found a brush yet that is narrow enough to slide easily between the narrow space between fender and wheel on my S2000 (the CR-V is, of course a different story), and while I do wash the barrels with my spoke brush, I haven't figured out a way to effectively wipe off and dry the barrels. It's easier to clean tires and wheels the old fashioned way, I think (i.e., with a hose). On the suggestion of a fellow at AutoGeek, I may try a sponge next time on the fender wells.
I welcome all suggestions, criticisms, and tips.
Cheers,
Al
1) 2 gals. of water, 2 ounces of ONR. We have hard water here in Roanoke County, so I go with the maximum prescribed amount. I only use one bucket, with grit guard.
2) I gently rinse one or more panels with ONR with a Lowe's Proline grout sponge. This effectively removes most of the dirt, and the grout sponge easily releases the dirt into the rinse bucket. The sponge is particularly helpful on the very lowest panels, which are typically the dirtiest.
3) I then go over the same panels again with ONR with a microfiber mitt. Because most of the dirt has already been picked up by the grout sponge, the mitt doesn't get as dirty when used exclusively, and I do like the feel of the mitt on the paint surface. I repeat as necessary.
4) When I believe that I have thoroughly cleaned the surface, I then begin to dry with either a waffleweave towel or a thick napped microfiber towel. As recommended by Scottwax, I use two towels.
5) With an ONR-dampened towel I wash the door and trunk jambs immediately after I have washed the door and trunk, respectively. I prefer doing this at this point rather than coming back to them. It makes sense to me.
6) When the entire vehicle has been washed and dried, I then wipe down hoses, coverings, and painted surfaces in the engine bay with an ONR-dampened towel.
7) With the same ONR-dampened towel, I wipe off the exhaust tips.
8) Finally, I wash the tires and wheels with the remaining ONR rinse, using the appropriate brushes. With my wheels I find that I need to also use a dampened towel to remove all the brake dust and dirt. I then dry the tire and wheel.
The glaring weakness in this method is the failure to properly attend to the wheel wells and rim barrels. I haven't found a brush yet that is narrow enough to slide easily between the narrow space between fender and wheel on my S2000 (the CR-V is, of course a different story), and while I do wash the barrels with my spoke brush, I haven't figured out a way to effectively wipe off and dry the barrels. It's easier to clean tires and wheels the old fashioned way, I think (i.e., with a hose). On the suggestion of a fellow at AutoGeek, I may try a sponge next time on the fender wells.
I welcome all suggestions, criticisms, and tips.
Cheers,
Al
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