My ONR Process

[Andrew C.]

Re: My ONR Process

I'll normally spray down the tires with APC via a foaming sprayer, and wheels with some sort of wheel cleaner. I get a soft bristled brush and soak it with ONR and go to work on the wheels. I get a hard bristled brush, get ONR between the bristles and go to work on the tires.

Then I have a spray bottle of water and spray down the tire/wheel to rinse off the excess. Kinda a pain to spray it down, but it's the only option without a hose.


As for the wheel wells, I use APC with a foaming sprayer. Let it sit to break up the dirt, then spray some ONR solution on the wheel wells, agitate with a hard bristled brush, then rinse with water sprayer or ONR solution sprayer.

I would have to agree that the traditional methods for wheels and tires is much better than ONR.

[Caress Detailing]

Re: My ONR Process

I've been using ONR like how scottwax has been using it.

But as far as wheels and tires, I'm in the same boat. Nothing seems to beat the old spray down with some APC or wheel cleaner, and hose off. At least for the tires, wheel wells, and deeper inside the rim.

I'm subscribed to this thread also to see if anybody had any other suggestions.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: My ONR Process

It's pretty hard to offer any other comments, as you have been testing for 9months. I assume you have learned what works and what does not work. I might suggest that you use 2 buckets instead of just one. I've started playing with ONR and use a 2nd bucket as a rinse only bucket. Just to keep the ONR water as dirt free as possible. I'd be curious to hear why you chose to only use one bucket.

You have taken input from a good source (Scottwax) so I applaud you for that! I'm curious to see what others say as I believe we will all be challenged to wash vehicles with less water very soon.

[akimel]

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