Better to rinse car or no?

Aurora40 · 12-17-03, 12:45

I decided to rinse the salt off my car last night because it was about 45 degrees out. Too late/dark for a wash. Anyway, I wonder if it was really worth it? Before, the lower part of my car was salty, though not crusty. Now, the lower part is still saltly (though less so), and the whole car has water spots. Maybe I should just have tried to hose off the bottom without splashing on the top? Or are water spots probably not as big a deal as salt? What do you think?

Red98gt · 12-17-03, 01:30

I ran mine through the car wash after we had some snow last week, just to get the crud off. I leave the water spots because the car wash doesn't get that "film" of dirt off (don't want to wipe it) but gets most of the salt plus it does an under carriage wash. I then try to hand wash as soon as the weather gets warm enough. Since I keep her well waxed most of the stuff comes off and the spots don't stain. Just can't stand to have the salt on it.

Aurora40 · 12-27-03, 10:23

I don't think I'll ever do that again... I rinsed my car, and did my best to sheet all the water off. It did get some salt and sand off, but washing the car a week later didn't make a dent in the few water spots that were left behind. So it looks like I'll have to find some time to polish out the car or use a cleaner/protectant product. Not sure if I'll try SFP and Blackfire for the full-on effect and look, or just give AIO/SG a try for the first time on the Aurora just to get the spots off and some good protection still on... :\

blackmagicgti · 12-27-03, 10:39

I have AIO, SG(5x), and #26 (2x) on my car and I do rinse it. The water spots (knock on wood) have not been staying when I give it a full wash.

It gives me some peace of mind I guess but it's a losing effort unless you do a full wash.

blkZ28Conv · 12-27-03, 10:41

Sorry to heard about the water spots Bob.

Rinsing is not an option on black vehicles. Complete Autopian wash or nothing. By the way salt is only caustic when in solution. By re-wetting one is just rejuveniating salts attack on you protectant. NaCl2 (salt) is rather inert in solid form but can do havoc ( quite abrasive) on a paint job if not washed off correctly.

Scottwax · 12-27-03, 11:21

I would only rinse if you have access to deionized water. You could go down to the local coin-op car wash, rinse with high pressure then use the spot free rinse.

Aurora40 · 12-27-03, 11:57

Quote:

Originally posted by blkZ28Conv
Sorry to heard about the water spots Bob.
Rinsing is not an option on black vehicles. Complete Autopian wash or nothing. By the way salt is only caustic when in solution. By re-wetting one is just rejuveniating salts attack on you protectant. NaCl2 (salt) is rather inert in solid form but can do havoc ( quite abrasive) on a paint job if not washed off correctly.

True, but you probably get the same kind of weather down there. It snows 4-5", they salt like mad, then the following week is 45 during the day and 25 at night, so they keep the salt up for the ice (though it does nothing) and all day the roads are wet and briney from the melting snow. So that's why I thought about the rinse since the car got wet every time I drove it...

blkZ28Conv · 12-27-03, 02:51

Bob, completely understand your dilimma. I lived in Boston for 43 yrs and washed the car between snowbanks and 40* balmy days.

. Only to have it filthy by the time I reach work.

Actually we are a little milder here in southwestern Va. and we haven't gotten over an 1" of snow this season. We did have 2 ice storms

. Because at the end of both ice storms and the one time it did snow, the conclusion of the precipitation was rain

. Washed most the brime away.
Most importantly, I drive my metallic silver Escort wagon during the winter months and silver is very forgiving in terms of revealing the filth of winter.
63* and I washed and waxed the Escort. Tomorrow 60's again and I will clean up and wax the LS400. The Z28 is hibernating.

Jimmy Buffit · 12-27-03, 03:48

Distilled water in a garden sprayer for the final rinse. Trust me it works. No water spots if you rinse and 'replace' all of the bad water. Equivalent to deionized water.

I can find it at Sam's for $0.60 per gallon. Before I had my shop, I could do a full was in my garage (no drain) with two gallons.

Give it a try.

Jim

blkZ28Conv · 12-27-03, 04:13

Great tip Jimmy.

DrGonzo · 12-27-03, 04:29

I spray it off and usually don't have too many problems with waterspots. Try and do it on a cloudy day though, it seems to help.

On a side note: blkZ28Conv, which part of SWVA do you live in? I live pretty close to wytheville.

Aurora40 · 12-27-03, 06:19

Quote:

Originally posted by jimamary
Distilled water in a garden sprayer for the final rinse. Trust me it works. No water spots if you rinse and 'replace' all of the bad water. Equivalent to deionized water.

I can find it at Sam's for $0.60 per gallon. Before I had my shop, I could do a full was in my garage (no drain) with two gallons.

Give it a try.

Jim

Hey Jim, I tried that back when you did. It never really worked out for me. Today I washed the car again (and just DACP'd the horizontal surfaces which took all the spots out perfectly, now to get some Blackfire on there...) and tried to rinse the soap off with the garden sprayer. I think that's how you used to do it? I couldn't get the water to move all the soap off though...

I went back to rinsing the car with the hose, but did do a final rinse with the leftover distilled water. So far it seems to have worked better than I remembered. I think I'll try 2-3 gallons of water next time just to be sure I get all the crappy water off.

Still, I don't think I'll bother trying to rinse the car again. That little sprayer wouldn't remove much salt.