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  1. #1

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    Washing in the sun

    Hi all,

    Now that summer is approaching in Australia it’s impossible for me to wash my car in the shade, so parts of the car dry out while I’m still washing. I’ve tried washing them rinsing a section at a time, but then the first section has dried out by the time I’ve washed the final section if I don’t rinse the whole car constantly.

    The reason for this madness is I’m worried about water spots.

    What’s your approach if you can’t avoid washing in the sun?




    Ben - Melbourne/Australia

    Now: ‘19 VW Golf R, ‘15 Polo GTI
    Before: ‘06 RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup, ‘14 VW Polo GTI, ‘12 VW Golf GTI, ‘06 VW Golf GTI, ‘05 VW Golf Sportline, ‘01 Holden Astra SRi, ‘00 Nissan Pulsar SSS, ‘99 Holden Astra CD, ‘98 Nissan Pulsar SLX, ‘91 Nissan Pulsar GL with Q engine swap, ‘80 Subaru Leone
    Ben
    Melbourne/Australia

    2015 VW Polo GTI & 2019 Golf R

  2. #2

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    Re: Washing in the sun

    phatrs- Noting that I haven`t washed in the sun since the `70s, but did black cars that way then...

    IMO you oughta be doing everything section-by-section anyhow, and I wonder about even doing whole panels at a time without rewetting the whole car.

    I fear you won`t like this, but..."..[I have problems].. if I don’t rinse the whole car constantly." Just do that. I always do anyhow even indoors in a climate-controlled shop. I doubt I`ve ever done more than a panel or two without rerinsing the whole thing, like...not once in my life even as a kid, even when I`m using Deionized water with which it shouldn`t matter.

  3. #3

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    Re: Washing in the sun

    Either get a canopy, or use deionized water. Deionized water will help the most

  4. #4
    DETAILED TODAY? PA DETAILER's Avatar
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    Re: Washing in the sun

    Washing in the hot sun just plain sucks! I try to avoid it period. But I have noticed when I have to, if you have good LSP on and flood rinse before I dry, I never had issues with water spots. I dry the glass first, then hit the body. But I will stand with my thought on it, you just cant wash a vehicle right in the sun. As mentioned above a canopy would help, or pull it a garage if you can for the final drying.

    That is why in the summer months I wash at 6AM.
    2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2
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  5. #5

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    Re: Washing in the sun

    Option #1
    Wash @ the krak of dawn

    Option#2
    Wash as the sun is setting
    This is the option I usually take- still plenty of light left

    And as mentioned above-- a good water filter helps-- Good luck mate!!
    Likes rlmccarty2000 liked this post

  6. #6
    ShaneB's Avatar
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    Re: Washing in the sun

    https://www.autopia-carcare.com/mcke...l#.XeHnfrdOmyU

    Go ahead, relax, let it dry on the vehicle. Take your time. Do your final rinse then dry.

    As a mobile detailer, this stuff is like gold.

  7. #7
    rlmccarty2000's Avatar
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    Re: Washing in the sun

    Like re-tired said, wash as the sun is coming up. This way the panels have not heated up yet. If you are trying to wash in the heat of the day there are very few ways to avoid water/soap drying on your paint. There are some soaps that say they don’t create water spots like Nexzett Perls (which is said to be “ideal for hotter climates”) that you might give a try.

  8. #8

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    Re: Washing in the sun

    Thanks for the ideas everyone.


    Ben - Melbourne/Australia

    Now: ‘19 VW Golf R, ‘15 Polo GTI
    Before: ‘06 RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup, ‘14 VW Polo GTI, ‘12 VW Golf GTI, ‘06 VW Golf GTI, ‘05 VW Golf Sportline, ‘01 Holden Astra SRi, ‘00 Nissan Pulsar SSS, ‘99 Holden Astra CD, ‘98 Nissan Pulsar SLX, ‘91 Nissan Pulsar GL with Q engine swap, ‘80 Subaru Leone
    Ben
    Melbourne/Australia

    2015 VW Polo GTI & 2019 Golf R

  9. #9

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    Re: Washing in the sun

    See this thread started by now-deceased Forum All-Star Ronkh about his experience washing his Corvette in the Florida sun:
    I think this was his beta-testing reveal of the McKee`s SiO2 Wash Soap alluded to in the above post by ShaneB!
    Ultimate TORTURE TEST !
    GB detailer

  10. #10
    Long Time Member GearHead_1's Avatar
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    Re: Washing in the sun

    Ron was right, actually more often than not. I’ve found McKee’s SIO2 shampoo to be awesome in direct sunlight. Granted I usually use it as evening is approaching but I use it in full sunlight and temps high, it will greatly diminish spotting.
    A society willing to trade liberty for temporary security deserves neither and will lose both
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