In theory...

[Garage Troll]

Okay, I was at Harbor Freight and I saw a hose nozzle that gave me an idea.

As some of you may know, I have been looking for an affordable solution for hard water (ie less than $50). So HF had this nozzle that had a reservoir for car wash shampoo. What I was thinking was that I would wash the car as normal but put a small amount (2-4 oz) of ONR in the nozzle reservoir and use it to rinse down the car after washing each section. In theory it should soften the water and eliminate or at least diminish water spots. Anyone have any input of theories of their own about this or any other process?

BTW... the Mr. Clean systems works for rinsing off the car and eliminating spots but it seems that the system has been discontinued. I can't find them in any store locally anymore.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: In theory...

I think your theory looks pretty logical!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: In theory...

Or you could simply flood rinse. I was on the deionized rinse bandwagon for quite a while, until I tried flood rinsing and discovered that the sheeting action eliminates nearly all water spotting. I use a leaf blower on whatever is left after the flood rinse and blot dry with water magnets.

As a final rinse, take the nozzle off the hose and turn the water pressure down about half way. Now hold the end of the hose parallel to the paint and keep it close to the paint as well. This will prevent splashing as you flood the surface, and you'll remove the vast majority of water from the surface.

Now grab your Water Magnet or other waffle weave drying towel, spray a panel with Ultimate Quik Wax, and wipe it dry. A very light wipe should remove the remaining water and the UQW, leaving a very slick and shiny surface. You may even be able to fully dry the car with a single Water Magnet this way. Works like a charm!!

[Murr1525]

Re: In theory...

Could buy a gallon of water from the grocery store each week for your final rinse....

Not sure about the ONR, or just how much softening ability it would hav.

[TOGWT]

Re: In theory...

Water 'sheeting' or 'Flooding' will remove most of the water containing minerals and avoid them drying on the paint surface, causing 'water spotting'

Hard Water

If you are using tap water that contains high levels of minerals such as calcium hydroxide or silicates, some of the polymers will bond to these minerals and take them out of solution therefore more product might be necessary to compensate for this effect. Adding Optimum No Rinse (ONR) to a regular car wash soap will improves the results when using tap water (0.5 oz / gallon) always add it to the water to remove the minerals before adding your soap. This will maximize the benefits of using No Rinse in this manner.

Water Supply Classifications (Water Quality Research Council)
• Soft Water- 0 to 1 grains per gallon
• Slightly Hard Water- 1 to 3.5 grains per gallon
• Moderately Hard Water- 3.5 to 7 grains per gallon
• Hard Water - 7 to 10.5 grains per gallon
• Very Hard Water - over 10.5 grains per gallon

Dilutions as per label
1. Car wash solution - 1oz / 2 gallons
2. Detailer’s clay lubrication - 2oz / gallon
3. Quick detailer (QD) - 8oz / gallon
4. Wet-sanding lubrication – 8oz / gallon

Note:
1. The use of ONR in a distilled water solution is an efficient method of cleaning as the polymers that are used to encapsulate soiling are not binding to any minerals found in ‘hard’ water, thereby increasing its effectiveness.
2. A solution with the dilutions (ratios) suggested utilizing a 16oz spray bottle (128 oz = 1 Gallon) makes its application easier

[Garage Troll]

Re: In theory...

Well, the theory was correct. It worked however I ended up using 6 ounces of ONR. I know, I know, a waste. I think I could have gotten away with a lot less, like 2-3 ounces. Maybe I'll try it again.

I do want to try the flooding method but I have one question. How do you go from a nozzle to open hose and back again without running back and forth to the spigot all of the time?

[Shawn T.]

Re: In theory...

Thats my problem. Sometimes I bite the bullet and unscew the nozzle while the water is on and get soaked in the process. There is an attachment that allows you to stop the water going to the nozzle, and then continue to flood the car. If I remember correctly from a Junkman video on Youtibe it was called a Quick Disconnect and he said he picked it up from Autogeek but I have yet to find it.

[Shawn T.]

Re: In theory...

Found it and there is a video of Mike Phillips using it: http://autogeek.net/brqucoset.html

[Blueline]

Re: In theory...

How do you go from a nozzle to open hose and back again without running back and forth to the spigot all of the time?

Assuming you have a decent 100% rubber hose, and not a plastic Wal_Mart special, simply bend the hose in half near the nozzle and hold it with one hand. It will crimp off the water. Unscrew the nozzle, and uncrimp the hose.
I have been doing this for years with a 20 year old hose, with no ill effects on the hose.

[agp56]

Re: In theory...

Or get a hose end device that sprays different patterns.

[AMM518]

Re: In theory...

Assuming you have a decent 100% rubber hose, and not a plastic Wal_Mart special, simply bend the hose in half near the nozzle and hold it with one hand. It will crimp off the water. Unscrew the nozzle, and uncrimp the hose.
I have been doing this for years with a 20 year old hose, with no ill effects on the hose.

now i feel like an idiot for not thinking of that sooner! lol

[Mary S]

Re: In theory...

Okay, I was at Harbor Freight and I saw a hose nozzle that gave me an idea.

As some of you may know, I have been looking for an affordable solution for hard water (ie less than $50). So HF had this nozzle that had a reservoir for car wash shampoo. What I was thinking was that I would wash the car as normal but put a small amount (2-4 oz) of ONR in the nozzle reservoir and use it to rinse down the car after washing each section. In theory it should soften the water and eliminate or at least diminish water spots. Anyone have any input of theories of their own about this or any other process?

BTW... the Mr. Clean systems works for rinsing off the car and eliminating spots but it seems that the system has been discontinued. I can't find them in any store locally anymore.

I am pretty sure I have the same (cough, cough) affordable hose nozzle with the soap reservoir that you do. I got it at Target on clearance. The thing is, of course, it doesn't precisely measure the ratio of the water to the additive. You will get the greatest amount in the beginning and it gets more dilute as you go.

Here is one that does, Gilmour 362 Professional No Pre-Mix Sprayer You can measure it in teaspoons per gallon, tablespoons, or fluid ounces. I think ONR recommends 1 Tbsp per gallon to use for regular ONR washing. For what you are doing, just to soften the water, you could probably use an even smaller concentration.

[Garage Troll]

Re: In theory...

I am pretty sure I have the same (cough, cough) affordable hose nozzle with the soap reservoir that you do. I got it at Target on clearance. The thing is, of course, it doesn't precisely measure the ratio of the water to the additive. You will get the greatest amount in the beginning and it gets more dilute as you go.

Here is one that does, Gilmour 362 Professional No Pre-Mix Sprayer You can measure it in teaspoons per gallon, tablespoons, or fluid ounces. I think ONR recommends 1 Tbsp per gallon to use for regular ONR washing. For what you are doing, just to soften the water, you could probably use an even smaller concentration.

That makes sense there.

I'm gonna try the flooding method first though next time. I can't believe I didn't think about bending the hose either. Duh!!!

I have a NeverKink hose so it should work fine. That thing does just what the name implies. Never had a problem with it.

[Junkman2008]

Re: In theory...

Found it and there is a video of Mike Phillips using it: http://autogeek.net/brqucoset.html

The quick-disconnect rock! I have a disconnect for every device I use. Getting splashed in the face got old the first time it happened!