Couple of things

Krautfed 03 · 01-04-05, 11:58

Just ordered some MF towels from AutoGeek. Got the $35 package with the waffle drying towel, miracle towel, and some other stuff.

Question 1: Anyone use the Cobra Waffle Weave drying towel? How does it perform?

Question 2: I have one coat of AIO followed by 3 coats of SG, followed with one coat of Pinnacle Signature. Pinnacle's literature suggests two coats for better depth, but will that improve on what I already have on the paint? I follow washes with the Crystal Mist. BTW, my vehicle is charcoal gray in color.

Finally, Question 3: I have EXTREMELY hard water!! I live in a townhouse and it has no water softener. I would rather pour acid on my paint than use this water...yes, it's that bad!!!

So, I have been using a self serve wand wash for my soak and rinse (I high pressure rinse the car, turn it to spot free, spray the car, fill bucket with spot free water and Gold Class soap, soap the car, rinse with spot free). This gets pricey!! Any suggestions for home washing without spending a fortune for a water softener? How does the Mr Clean Auto Dry work just using the filtered rinse??

Thanks for the help!!

kbshadow · 01-04-05, 12:02

I don't have hard water but buy distilled water for less then a dollar a gallon.

I use QEW and can wash the car with 1 gallon, on sale its 69 cents and thats worth it to me.

Works great for me.

Krautfed 03 · 01-04-05, 12:14

What is QEW? Won't I damage my car's finish by not using a pressure rinse prior to washing?

John Styrnol · 01-04-05, 12:40

QEW is Protect All's Quick and Easy Wash. I've never used it yet, but alot of people here use it with great results. One thing you can do is not use the high pressure rinse, set it to low and use a 45 degree angle when rinsing. Another excellent product(s) to checkout is Poorboy's Spray and Wipe or Adam's Polish Detail Spray, both are considered waterless wash products.

kbshadow · 01-04-05, 01:10

Attached is photo of my PU.

Almost all I have used for 5 years is QEW.

Paint is perfect, no problems.

Bob

Aurora40 · 01-04-05, 03:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Krautfed 03
Question 1: Anyone use the Cobra Waffle Weave drying towel? How does it perform?

I just got one. But it seems exactly like my autopia ones I've had for a year or two. They perform fine. I used to use them on the 'Roara, but now they are for daily-driver usage. They are nice enough, but my Meg's ultimate drying towels are nicer. They are thicker and don't tear my hands up as much when I squeeze them out.

Quote:

Originally posted by Krautfed 03
Question 2: I have one coat of AIO followed by 3 coats of SG, followed with one coat of Pinnacle Signature. Pinnacle's literature suggests two coats for better depth, but will that improve on what I already have on the paint? I follow washes with the Crystal Mist. BTW, my vehicle is charcoal gray in color.

Who knows what you'll notice. If you are interested, give it a try. If nothing else, it'll look freshly waxed!

It takes so little paste wax to do a coat, may as well go for it.

[/b][/quote]Finally, Question 3: I have EXTREMELY hard water!! I live in a townhouse and it has no water softener. I would rather pour acid on my paint than use this water...yes, it's that bad!!!

So, I have been using a self serve wand wash for my soak and rinse (I high pressure rinse the car, turn it to spot free, spray the car, fill bucket with spot free water and Gold Class soap, soap the car, rinse with spot free). This gets pricey!! Any suggestions for home washing without spending a fortune for a water softener? How does the Mr Clean Auto Dry work just using the filtered rinse??[/b][/quote]
Like was said, I'd suggest QEW. And use distilled water. I get them from WalMart for about 55 cents a gallon. So if you use 2-3 gallons, that's about a buck, buck fifty.

Burlyq · 01-04-05, 03:17

I'd use filtered water with QEW to be safe if your townhouse has that hard water. I like Mr Clean, it isn't perfect but in the summer it does a good job of keeping away water spots before you hand dry, and where I wash cars it has very bad hard water. Another item that works much better than MR Clean, but is a through away after 30 wash product is called the Revolutionizer. You can of course by a pro machine for lots and lots of money or give either of these a try. I like the MR Clean better, because it allows you to rinse under normal pressure, than rinse with filtered water, also you can by replacement filters. One piece of advice is don't use Mr Cleans soap, it's junk. The difference between the two is with Mr Clean you have to dry, with the Revolutionizer you truly have a mineral free finish, you can let it sit in the sun with no spots, but you have to through the product away. However, if you think about it they are probably the same price because Mr Clean filters are about 7 bucks and only last 10 washes.

http://www.mightymart.com/detailI.asp?prodid=2539

Here's a post semi review of both, or st least one guy who like Mr Clean and another who likes Revolutionizer

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8772

Pondscum · 01-04-05, 06:38

There are a number of ways to reduce the hardness of water. Both the Mr. Clean and Revolutionizer use a resin based de-ionizer.

You can also get a standard 10" water filter canister and resin cartridges that will last longer than the two above mentioned methods and plumb it up to a hose bib. You'll want one with a bypass valve because you don't want to use de-ionized water for anything other than the final rinse due to the cost factor. You can also get a phosphate cartridge which will last much longer. It doesn't remove the minerals, but it makes them much more transient so they don't stick to things. I'm not sure how well they work for a car rinse. They are most commonly used to keep restraunt equipment from building up lime scale.

Two other options would be a regular water softener, or a reverse osmosis system. I saw Costco had a RO system for $165, I think. I'm not sure if it would reduce pressure.

Krautfed 03 · 01-05-05, 06:50

Is the standard under sink filters de-ionizers?? I have seen adaptors for them to be used on a hose.

Also, I was at Wal-Mart and found a portable filter used for RV water supplies. It looked like it filtered everything, but calcium, which if I am correct, that's the biggest culprit for spots. I also didn't see anything about de-ionizing the water. Any ideas on this?? It was only like $18.00.