Does 2 bucket method dilute ONR solution in soap bucket?

[mikebai1990]

I've been using ONR for about a month since I got it. It's much more convenient, and I'll be using ONR for the majority of my washes from now on. The only thing is that tires/wheelwells are hard to clean with ONR, but that's not a major problem.

Anyway, here's the thing: When I mix up my ONR solution in my "soap" bucket, the water is quite bluish. I use 1oz per 2 gallons. I have the newer formulation, which smells really good, and I think it's slightly more viscous. I also use a rinse bucket filled about 2 gallons as well, with a grit guard. As I do multiple ONR solution->rinse->ONR solution and so on, I find that my ONR solution color becomes lighter and lighter. I'm wondering whether my 2 bucket method is diluting my ONR solution and possibly causing more marring. I can't tell whether there's more marring because I have some marring on the car paint already, and it's hard to say for sure whether this is causing more.

Now I've heard of people like Scottwax using only 1 gallon ONR solution in a single bucket wash method. I've always wondered how it's humanely possible to use 1 gallon/1 bucket and not cause marring. But now as I think of it, maybe it's because the concentration of his ONR solution is the same, whereas with the 2 bucket, the ONR solution becomes more and more diluted as I continue rinsing between each panel. What do you guys think?

BTW, I use a micro-chenille mitt from Target. I generally try to squeeze out as much water as I can after rinsing, but the mitt is fairly absorbent..

[NSXTASY]

To answer your question you could be diluting it, but I don't really understand your process. If your squeezing out any excess water after rinsing, before dipping into the solution, you shouldn't be diluting it more than a quarter gallon or less I would think.

But as you outlined your process, as I understand it, your taking your 1) mit from the car, 2) into ONR bucket 1, 3) Rinse in bucket 2 (water), and 4) back into ONR bucket 1? Is this correct?

If thats what your doing, your contaminating your ONR solution, therefore negating the idea of the 2 bucket method.

Otherwise, if your doing it the regular 2 bucket method, to solve your problem just add 1 cap (1/2 ounce) of ONR to your other bucket and it will all even out.

HTH.

By the way, I usually use one bucket with 2.5 gallons and 2.5 caps of ONR in addition to a pre-sprayer at 2 oz/gal. No problems with marring, except if its any dirtier, i do a traditional wash.

[mikebai1990]

Well, my process isn't exactly as you described. It's just a regular 2 bucket method. ONR solution->do a panel->rinse out->squeeze out->ONR solution, and repeat.

I'm sure I could simply add more ONR to my solution, but I'm more curious as to whether I'm really diluting my solution and possibility creating marring.

[PhaRO]

I generally mix up 2gallons in one bucket and probably only use half of that. I would suspect that with a 2 bucket wash the onr bucket is becoming diluted. I'd assume once it is diluted below manufacturer recomendations then the risk of marring would increase and the cleaning ability would decrease. If I were to use a 2 bucket method, I'd just fill both with an ONR mix and there would be no dilution. If you are using it in a business, doing that would double your ONR cost and might be a problem. In that case you could filter the left over water in each bucket through a mf towel for use in the rinse bucket for next wash.

[BlackElantraGT]

I think if you're a bit unweary about your ONR being diluted, I would just use a stronger mixture. You'll get the peace of mind, plus your ONR should work a little better. I'm not familiar with your chenille wash mitt, but I can't imagine it diluting your mixture all that much if you're squeezing as much excess water out as possible.

[Setec Astronomy]

Scottwax I presume uses ONR the way he used QEW, which is per the (QEW) directions, which is for a single bucket. The properties of the rinseless wash (QEW at least) are supposed to sequester the dirt at the bottom of the bucket. I'm with NSXTASY, just add some ONR to your rinse bucket; this is a technique used by a lot of people for the two bucket method, regardless of rinseless or not, to add wash, QD, etc. to the rinse bucket.

[Milestones]

Originally Posted by BlackElantraGT

I think if you're a bit unweary about your ONR being diluted, I would just use a stronger mixture. You'll get the peace of mind, plus your ONR should work a little better.

I have yet to read any opinions of anyone who has used a stronger concentration of ONR than the standard 1 oz/2 gallons that it stripped LSPs or caused any other problems.

Using the higher concentration of ONR might not be as economical - but if it provides greater lubrication and/or cleaning ability without the risk of stripping my LSP, it's well worth it.

I've been using the 2 bucket method with ONR. However, I've been using a slightly higher concentration of ONR (1.5 ozs. per 2 gallons) and I've also been pre-spraying each panel with a QD concentration of ONR from a spray bottle.

So far so good - no appreciable marring after several washes.

[mikebai1990]

Okay, adding ONR to the rinse bucket sounds like a plausible solution..

Anyway, today I mixed a 2 gallon/1 bucket ONR wash just to see whether it made any difference. The ONR solution definitely kept it's blue color, but it obviously became contaminated with the dirt and other particles. It didn't seem to cause any more marring, and the ONR solution certainly wasn't diluted.

[NSXTASY]

If you dont already, try a pre-rinse from a sprayer, I use a 1 gallon or 2 gallon insecticide/fertilizer sprayer from lowes. I couldn't imagine ONR'ing without that prerinse.

[mikebai1990]

I'm not sure the prerinse is really necessary though... I wash the every 2 weeks, and there's not too much dirt to warrant a prerinse. Plus it would involve a lot of ONR, which, as Milestones, mentioned, may not be economical.