QEW Questions???

cwcad

cwcad

New Normal
So in the last few days I have been using QEW, mixed according to instructions, washing a single panel. Then setting QEW aside,covered, then proceed to work that panel with a swirl remover.

The next morning I agitate the QEW and do another panel. Have done this for several days now. The QEW is still relatively clear. The feel of the QEW is still like the first day. It has now been three or four days on the same mix of QEW. The pail has less than half of the original amount that I started with. It is darker but I would not say it is dirty. It has some dirt at the bottom of the pail that I can see thru the mix.

Will this QEW mix maintain quality lubrication over days of storage in my garage as I do these test areas?
 
Are you using a single-bucket method, or a dual bucket method? If you're using single-bucket as I suspect, I'd HIGHLY recommend that you consider a dual bucket solution. No need to introduce extra swirls just because you're about to use a swirl remover!

Otherwise, yeah I have done similar with QEW stored in a squirt bottle (for quick touch-ups that were heavier than I'd use a QD for, but lighter than I would need the full QEWing for). A couple weeks after the initial mix, I saw no change in lubricity. I'd say you should be fine.
 
If the water is clear, you're probably OK. QEW has the characteristic of settling the dirt to the bottom of the pail, where regular car wash seems to mix up the dirt and form muddy water.

Still, if there is too much settling at the bottom, mix up a new batch... (it's cheap!).....
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Are you using a single-bucket method, or a dual bucket method? If you're using single-bucket as I suspect, I'd HIGHLY recommend that you consider a dual bucket solution. No need to introduce extra swirls just because you're about to use a swirl remover!

Otherwise, yeah I have done similar with QEW stored in a squirt bottle (for quick touch-ups that were heavier than I'd use a QD for, but lighter than I would need the full QEWing for). A couple weeks after the initial mix, I saw no change in lubricity. I'd say you should be fine.
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My bad. I forgot to mention that I use a fresh rinse pail each day.

Just want to be able to use all of the mix rather than throw away and make new. It is cheap but if it is not all used it can become expensive.
 
OK, had me worried there for a minute!

Luster's comment got me thinking, though: I wonder what running the QEW mix through some sort of filter paper (like a large coffee filter) to remove the grit would do to the effectiveness/lubricity?
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I wonder what running the QEW mix through some sort of filter paper (like a large coffee filter) to remove the grit would do to the effectiveness/lubricity?
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QEW has wax in it. That's what makes the dirt coagulate at the bottom of the bucket. Some of the wax would, most likely be filtered out, but I don't know if it would be worth it to go to all that trouble when you can mix up a new batch for the cost of one ounce!
 
Personally, I can't think of any reason why a QEW solution would "go bad." I imagine the only thing that's happening is that some of the water is evaporating making the solution more concentrated. Also, if you haven't done so yet I would add a couple ounces of your favorite QD to the mixture. It really seems to punch up the lubrication factor of QEW quite a bit.
 
Is their need to pre wash/hose down the car before i use QEW ?This would be mt first time with this product, I wanna try QEW 1st before using the OPT-wash & shine i won fron AG to see the comparison between the two..

Thanks Again AG..
 
joe.p said:
Is their need to pre wash/hose down the car before i use QEW ?This would be mt first time with this product, I wanna try QEW 1st before using the OPT-wash & shine i won fron AG to see the comparison between the two..

Thanks Again AG..
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Nope. I would recommend doing a pre-soak with the QEW mix in a spray bottle prior to doing the wiping, though. Check this out for a good guideline on QEW use:

http://tauruscarclub.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=117
 
Joe P.,

That article has some good pointers: 2 bucket, pre-spray panel (you can also use PB's S&W for this step), work no more than one panel at a time, follow up with a QD (S&W again works well).

One thing in it is somewhat misleading
So, here is my car... dirty as it gets (or probably has ever been!).... Man is she dirty
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Look closely at the shots of the roof and the side-by-side door panel shot. The roof line shows a few water spots, the door panel is dirty, but it is not d-i-r-t-y. What is does show is about as much dirt as I would attempt to tackle with QEW. Any dirtier and I would recommend either a pre-wash (at a DIY) or at the least a good surface flooding with your hose. You may notice in the posts by some who use QEW as their sole source of washing always seem to be following that wash with a polish step (or steps).

Another area where QEW washing falls short, as compared to a traditional wash, is cleaning the wheel, tires and wheel well areas. Be prepared to sacrifice some mitts/sponges.

IMO, QEW is not a true replacement for a traditional wash, unless your choices are limited (too cold, water restrictions, etc.). If we don't get any significant rains this Spring, I may have to use this product more often than I wish. If I do, I wll probably use the method others use, by first washing my vehicle at the DYI wash and then following up with a careful QEW wash. For customer's cars, I'm not sure yet what my approach will be.
 
My car is dirtier then the car shown in the link and i have salt on the side panels.I thought it may be too dirty to use the QEW without a prewash/soak this is why i wanted to ask 1st. IMO the car in the link may have been a canidate for some S & W. normaly in th winter months i would bring the car to a handwash but improper washing/drying is killing the paint.

Thanks for all the information provided..
 
I've been using the QEW for a while now and although I was very hesitant at first I'm now much more confident in using it. It takes a little practice, the followup with QD definitely makes a difference and eliminates any streaking. I do however still pre-rinse a vehicle if it has any mud or significant amount of dirt, above dust and water spots, before QEW'ing, or if that's not possible I will repeatedly QEW a panel several times EXTREMELY lightly before continuing on. As for wheels, I do them last and use the same buckets of QEW for them as well (since they won't be touching paint again) and have yet to have any problems getting them sufficiently clean. And as far as the QEW going bad, I too agree that it shouldn't "go bad" over that short a time when covered and used with a rinse bucket.
 
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