Car Washing And The Ecology - Page 2

tnforever · 02-26-09, 11:28

I'd give it a try if it was readily available otc and at a price that is competitive with traditional soaps, which I believe is the position of most consumers. The reason I held off buying ONR is simply because I'd have to wait for a big order to get it from a etailer.

Lumadar · 02-27-09, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidB

I live less than 100 yards from the Pacific ocean on one side of me and 50 yards to the San Diego Bay on the other side. I know exactly where my driveway runoff goes. For me, changing my ways really is the responsible thing to do.

I didn't know you were in San Diego, cool

In addition to knowing where your runoff goes, know that San Diego has a double sewer system so the runoff goes straight to our ocean, and the sewage from toilets goes in a separate line to treatment facilities. My brother is the head of the storm water division for San Diego County, so I hear about it from time to time over family dinners.

JuneBug · 02-27-09, 07:03

I live out in rural NC, I have my own well and septic tank. My yard consists of crabgrass and exotic weeds, it trives on car wash, APC, even solvents can't kill the mighty crabgrass. Oh, I see I have a beautiful green crop of wild onions now, almost looks like grass from 500 feet - distance to the road.

Now, I didn't always have crappy yard. I use to be a part-time lawn maintenance professional LOL! and I spent a ton of money on equipment, seed, fertilizer and chemicals, had a yard people bragged on - then my wife talked me into cheaping out and not getting the weed -n-feed I wanted and the cheap crap killed most of my yard, my yard work and my desire to do this anymore. I paid for all of that myself and I let her ruin it for me. SOOOOOO, everytime she mentions the yard, I tell her I don't have a ^&%$*&%$* dime to spend on it, maybe she would like to try.

Thanks - feel better now!

Bostonsfavson · 02-28-09, 06:33

I've been thinking about making my mobile detailing business more eco-friendly quite a bit lately. Just yesterday I did my first ONR wash. I used three gallons of water in total--two for the ONR wash and one with the steam cleaner. I'm happy with how it turned out and I think I'll be doing more of it.

DavidB · 02-28-09, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumadar

I didn't know you were in San Diego, cool

Yep... a native. Grew up here, moved away via San Francisco, Florida, DC, Atlanta, Orange County, Los Angeles... and now I'm back to stay. It will take a tsunami to get me off my sand bar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bostonsfavson

I've been thinking about making my mobile detailing business more eco-friendly quite a bit lately. Just yesterday I did my first ONR wash. I used three gallons of water in total--two for the ONR wash and one with the steam cleaner. I'm happy with how it turned out and I think I'll be doing more of it.

From what I read from other mobile detailers who do it, it's also faster.

BearValley · 02-28-09, 08:29

This is a great topic, David.

I sort of cringe to see photos and videos of all of the chemicals being washed down residential driveways into the storm drain systems. Knowing where it all drains to just kinda drives me a little bit crazy.

I'm an architect and I routinely deal with runoff issues, oftentimes some unusual ones. I practiced in San Diego for 22 years ('83-'05) and designed projects for the San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park for about 10 years.

One problem that we had were the outdoor exhibits - the runoff is considered sewage but the volume would overwhelm the system. The storm water people at the city didn't want it flowing into the bay and the sewer system people didn't want it to overwhelm their system...

The solution was to design a retention pond system, for "storm created sewage".

Oh, I lived in San Diego for 22 years after growing up in Huntington Beach for 22 years. Now I'm in Big Bear Lake, presumably for another 22 years. It's much sunnier, up here which I prefer.

Bigpikle · 02-28-09, 09:42

great topic David, and one that has become close to my heart recently as well.

I also believe in ONR, thanks to the people on here, and have sold off all my conventional products and converted primarily to ONR. In the UK we have a different water situation with legislation, but no real differences in the mechanics of drainage. I recently 'walked' the journey of my surface water drains, and posted it on DW here (I hope you dont mind the link

) and although I live about as far as its possible to get from the sea in the UK, it still doesnt take long before the wash water from my driveway reaches the local wildlife

I'm also about to start trying a waterless product and dont see the math in quite as bad a light as you suggest.... My washing machine only uses 20 gallons per wash (still more than an ONR wash obviously) but it is also suggested I only need a few MF's per car, and my estimate is that I could run 1 wash cycle for 4-5 clean cars. In reality that is pretty much the same amount of wash water. The waste from my washing machine goes to sewage disposal and is readily broken down in there. I just havent proven to myself yet that this is a safe wash process, but we'll see.....

Great discussion and I look forward to following it and seeing the comments of others. I do believe that there will have to be change, and that in the UK, Europe and US its inevitable that change will come, and our age-old wash methods will soon become obsolete from legal, environmental and technological advances

WCD · 02-28-09, 11:55

Our Gov. is pushing for a 20% reduction in water useage and there is more coming. I am glad that the State Water Control may fine cities up to 10k per occurrence when they find water use in violation--detailers not in compliance. I am working with my local city to try and change its easy license procedure for anyone with $30. In the future, I hope they do like Vista and Calabasas.

I am meeting with the Creeks division on Thursday for a demo and plan to be certified by them as water smart. I have bigger plans, but this is step one in the flow chart of my marketing plan.

Big Bear! My brother moved there for years for the same "sunny" reason. He love sto fly and knew he could fly more by living there.

Bob- Let's have lunch in April. I will be in Coronado and training with Prentice.

Off to do report cards!

Rob Regan

bert31 · 02-28-09, 02:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidB

I For me, changing my ways really is the responsible thing to do.

Have you put any thought in to an Ultima brand rinseless wash?

AeroCleanse · 02-28-09, 03:52

I have switched to ONR, mostly because of the lack of mess using it and equipment to buy.

Bigpikle · 03-02-09, 05:00

I'll throw another idea in here - steam...

I know its nothing new, but after steaming my wheels & arches this weekend and achieving outstanding results with just a small amount of water, NO chemicals and nothing hitting the floor beyond a few drips of condensation, I think this is another way to compliment other wash methods. I know some (me too) sometimes struggle slightly with ONR and wheels/undercarriage, and I shall certainly be cracking out the steamer on the tougher jobs I face in this area

jdoria · 03-02-09, 05:19

In Westchester, there are markings on the rain gutters that let you know where the water that flows into them goes. They have a picture of a fish on them, but I dont know what it means other than dont spill non-biodegradable substances in them. Not every rain gutter has this marking.

We have a full sewer system, there are no septic tanks here.

Dont know what I can do or shouldnt do.