What is your Washing and Drying preferences and opinion on no dry soaps?

[Ralph III]

Hello All,
Just FYI, I managed a detail business for 14 years but I retired from it 7 years ago. So there are many new and interesting products on the market now which you all may be better familiar with.

My inquiry is more in regards to your personal preferences and as I would like some input on car soaps, particularly Rain X/Spot free. Has anyone used this product or is such as a Meguiars or Mothers Car Soap or Wash/Wax superior?


I just buffed my Supervisors black pickup (very neglected) and I want to give him some good advice on how to easily maintain it. He's not the type to assert a lot of effort for such. Anyhow, I'm old school whereas I will hand wash my vehicles then rinse and dry. I won't recommend a water-less or spray and wipe system so please don't suggest that. That may be ok for a semi clean vehicle but not for a dirty work truck.

1) So what about Rain X/Spot free or something similar? I would still recommend he dry the vehicle with a microfiber towel but this may make the process easier?

2) Do any of you use a water softener or filter for washing your vehicles?

3) If water spots occur after washing what would you recommend he use to correct it?

4) Would you recommend a spray & wipe wax after a wash (between regular waxing) or would a wash and wax soap be your preference?


Remember, we are looking for easy methods to maintain a vehicle for someone who will not want to work hard at it.


God Bless,
Ralph

[Mr. Slick]

Re: What is your Washing and Drying preferences and opinion on no dry soaps?

I use Meguiars Gold class soap. one tablespoon in a bucket full of water. I use a second bucket of water to wash again and rinse the soap. I finish it drying with a waffle weave microfiber. it doesn't leave any water spots because the waffle weave microfiber is so good at absorbing all the water.

[Blueline]

Re: What is your Washing and Drying preferences and opinion on no dry soaps?

I do not use any RainX products. I founnd their windshield stuff pure garbage. As for drying spot free, on a well waxed vehicle, simply run the hose without the nozzle gently from roof down. Most of the water will sheet off. What is left, one can almost be dried with a Kleenex. Ok, that is a little extreme, but there isn't much left. Then I blow whatever is left, and what is in the cracks/mirrors, off with a blower. Some use leafblowers, but I felt I was annoying my neighbors with a noisy gas blower so I bought a small hand held electric blower. No water left, no spots and I am not dragging a MF towel across my paint.

I do have a small water softener in the garage, and I did use it for a time, but the idea off rinsing my car with possibly salty water was a bit of a turn off, and it was just a hassle to have to recharge the cartridge, every so often. It did leave the car spot free for the most part, but once I got on to the blower process, I don't use it anymore.

Not big on combination products such as wash and wax soaps. Can't believe any wax is left once the water is blown off the car. I very, very occasionally use a spray and wipe wax. Only if I am really bored and need something to do. Meguiar's Quick Wax is recommended if you go that route. It is good stuff.

[The Guz]

Re: What is your Washing and Drying preferences and opinion on no dry soaps?

Show him the video in this link.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?41790-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Washing

There are quite a few people who use a spray wax such as ultimate quik wax as a drying aid. Same can be done with a quick detailer.

[exploreco]

Re: What is your Washing and Drying preferences and opinion on no dry soaps?

Even though I have a dryer, I still do the water sheeting method that Guz posted in the video. Does help minimize the amount you have to dry off. I don't recommend not drying a vehicle because of spotting, but I don't use any type of water softening so not sure if that helps with spotting or not.

[Ralph III]

Re: What is your Washing and Drying preferences and opinion on no dry soaps?

Thanks for the input guys!

Yes, I am printing out some car care tips and washing/drying methods with a link to the Meguiars car wash video for my Supervisor. I was just curious to know about some of these products and methods which are on the market today. Anyhow, I decided to try a few including the RainX/Spot free and Mothers Wash/Wax.

I've always liked Mothers products but I saw no benefit at all with a wash&wax soap, nor any benefit with the RainX/Spot free.

I've been using Griots Brilliant Finish Car Wash personally. IMHO, it performed quite a bit better because it doesn't streak like one of the products above is prone to and it creates better suds than the other product.

I've never tried a Meguairs Car Wash soap though so I am curious to know how the Gold Class compares to the Griots?

God Bless,
Ralph