washing and rinsing a panel at a time

[brendan1234]

I have a question...

it is recommended that you wash and rinse the car a "panel at a time"

but won't the water dry up and leave water spots?
(even if u flood rinse at the end)

[Murr1525]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

Well... You have different kinds of water spots.

Ones from dust/sop drying and sitting on the surface, and ones from hard water actually etching into the paint.

So if you wash a panel or two at a time, and rinse the soap off, and the water/dust dries a little before flooding, those spots should wipe right off.

If you have very hard water, to the point that you can get etching right away, then you would want to be a lot more careful, possibly drying often, looking at a water softener, or perhaps one of the waterless washes, where you can focus more on a panel at a time with no over spray.

Working on a cool car in the shade will slow the drying of course, and if you don't mind using extra water, you can spray more of the car each time to keep it wet.

[brendan1234]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

thanks,

but how do i know if i have "hard water"?

i live in new york city

[Murr1525]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

Do you get lots of white buildup on showerheads, faucets?

[RaskyR1]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

thanks,

but how do i know if i have "hard water"?

i live in new york city

You can pick up a TDS meter for cheap. (total dissolved solids). Anything over 300ppm is considered hard I believe.


A CR Spotless system solves all those problems.

[brendan1234]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

i do notice some calcium forming around the bathroom faucet...

so in case it is hard water...i should still wash a panel at a time, but make sure to not let the water dry by constantly keeping it wet?

[brendan1234]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-AutoDry-System-Starter/product-reviews/B0006M56CE/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

would one of these mr clean filtered water systems work so to filter the water

[brendan1234]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

will the mr clean's spotless system work to filter out the water?

it's only around $20

[RaskyR1]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

Never tried the Mr Clean. I've seen mixed reviews and most say the cartridges don't last long.

This is ideal, but expensive.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11201522

I would test the water first to see how hard it is. I picked up a TDS meter online for $15.

[Murr1525]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

Yeah, Mr. Clean is ehh...

Working in a cool place, keeping the car wet, working fast would likely be best unless you detect a problem.

[atikovi]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

it is recommended that you wash and rinse the car a "panel at a time"

but won't the water dry up and leave water spots?
(even if u flood rinse at the end)

No need to rinse. Just have a bucket of plain water with your washing towel, and a drying towel draped over your shoulder. First wring out the washing towel and wipe down 3-4 square feet, then quickly go over it with the drying towel. Depending on the sun exposure, temperature, humidity etc. you can adjust your wipe-down for the conditions and eliminate any spots.

[brendan1234]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

do u mean 1. soap 2. rinse 3. dry with towel

one section at a time?

[Blueline]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

NY has "soft" water compared to some cities. I don't know the level of softness however you should not have to worry about water drying on your car, unless you wash in the hot sun, which is a no no anyway. Just start with the roof, and rinse, then the hood, and rinse, and wet the roof again. Wash the trunk, and rinse, and wet hood and roof again, and so on. Then rinse the whole vehicle without the hose nozzle, and most of the water will run off, and then pat dry what remains. We have extremely hard water, and never have had hard water issues on my black car. As for the Mr. Clean system, it does work, but as someone mentioned, the cartridges last one wash (at lease for me) and are expensive, and frankly not worth it if you use the method described above.

[atikovi]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

do u mean 1. soap 2. rinse 3. dry with towel

one section at a time?

I don't use soap, just plain water to wipe down a panel, then dry. That's what I do when I don't have access to a water hose like when cleaning a car at a car show or when selling one at a car auction. Of course the car can't be filthy like after you've gone off-roading, but for 90% of the time it works fine for me.

Also, if you do use a hose you can time the wash for a late afternoon right before a rainstorm. Then the rainwater tends to dry with little or no spots.

[brendan1234]

Re: washing and rinsing a panel at a time

NY has "soft" water compared to some cities. I don't know the level of softness however you should not have to worry about water drying on your car, unless you wash in the hot sun, which is a no no anyway. Just start with the roof, and rinse, then the hood, and rinse, and wet the roof again. Wash the trunk, and rinse, and wet hood and roof again, and so on. Then rinse the whole vehicle without the hose nozzle, and most of the water will run off, and then pat dry what remains. We have extremely hard water, and never have had hard water issues on my black car. As for the Mr. Clean system, it does work, but as someone mentioned, the cartridges last one wash (at lease for me) and are expensive, and frankly not worth it if you use the method described above.

hmmm....ic...i'll def try that...