Hard water car wash solution?

[Topzide]

Look into what a 55-gallon barrel of distilled water would cost. Doesn't take much water for a wash and rinse!

 

[MossRoad]

Look into what a 55-gallon barrel of distilled water would cost. Doesn't take much water for a wash and rinse!

Filtered rainwater would be a pretty good option. If it rains.

 

[bradm64]

I have a black truck. It was professionally ceramic coated when new. We have a spot free water system similar to what Turbo36 linked.

I still have to dry it with microfiber towels to get rid of all the water spots.

I have dried following rinse without the using the spot free rinse system, and I can say use of spot free rinse does make easier to dry and get rid of water spots.

Not sure any system will eliminate all water spots without towel drying, especially on black. I admit I am a bit OCD, so YMMV.

 

[mikester]

I used to be able to buy Simonize Cold Water Car Wash that left the cars spotless. It worked great with cold, hard water. I haven't seen the product locally anymore.

On my bikes I use a little Finish 2in1 Gel in a pail of hot softened water. Dries spotless.

If I was the cars on sunny days I get spots because the water dries too fast. Better to wash on overcast or drizzly days or late in the evening and in the shade.

 

[dodge man]

I’m giving some thought to the rainwater idea. I wash it at my shop and figured an inch of rain would fill a tote from half of my roof area. I think I’d need a pump and a filter maybe. I also saw a downspout fitting that lets you switch over the flow to a rain barrel.

Do you need to treat the rainwater to keep it from turning green if it sits in hot weather?

 

[MossRoad]

I'd think like any container of water, eventually it'll stagnate and get mosquitos, bugs, etc.

 

[plowhog]

that’s kind of what I had in mind. It’s just more than I’m willing to spend.

I used to own a car wash and this is the only solution I am aware of that actually works. Some people use a leaf blower right after washing to reduce the amount of water residue more quickly, but that's not really a solution. Good luck!

 

[dodge man]

I tried the leaf blower a couple of times and didn’t like it. It seems like too much of a chance of kicking something up on the car but I know a lot of people like it.

 

[turbo36]

In addition to the deionized water system, I also use this blow off system. I can completely dry the car without getting the chamois or drying towels out with no water spots!

Air Force® Master Blaster – Car Blow Dryer Power

Car dryer excellence with the Master Blaster—safe, high-powered drying for cars and components. Professional-grade air blower for every garage.

metrovac.com

 

[MossRoad]

In addition to the deionized water system, I also use this blow off system. I can completely dry the car without getting the chamois or drying towels out with no water spots!

Air Force® Master Blaster – Car Blow Dryer Power

Car dryer excellence with the Master Blaster—safe, high-powered drying for cars and components. Professional-grade air blower for every garage.

metrovac.com

I think I have one of those in my garage...



Sorry.