Since these products are becoming more popular, I thought I would mention a few things I have learned over a few years use of this type of product.
Spray & Wipe
It's hard to say enough about this product. I didn't even consider using a waterless wash product prior to hearing about this stuff in, I think, about 2002. After reading the raves, I tried it and have been a big fan ever since.
*I have only used this product in the shade, but I think many people do use it in the sun.
*If the vehicle has globs of dirt/mud or salt accumulation, I wash that off at the DIY pressure wash before I start.
*Use enough to cover a panel. It doesn't need to be soaking wet, just covered. A good sprayer is an important part of getting good coverage.
*I also spray some on my wiping towel before the first wipe so I don't start with a dry towel
*Depending on the temperature, I usually break the cleaning up into sections. 1/2 of the hood or roof, a door, a fender, a quarter panel or the deck.
*Use a good MF towel. Some people use a WW, I don't and wouldn't. I think having the nap for the dirt suspended in the S&W to be absorbed into is important.
*Wipe, it's Spray & Wipe, not rub. With the MF folded in 1/4's or 1/8's depending on the size of the towel, I wipe in one direction, then turn the towel to another surface and make a finish pass. Depending on the size of the vehicle, how dirty the vehicle is and the size of your MF towel, I use as few as one and as many as three. I know of people that use as many as 19 on a big ole pickup.
*The wheels, wheel wells and tires can be done the same way as the body. I prefer to use BnB on the tires. I use a few brushes and some of my old cotton terry towels for those areas.
*Many people use the S&W on their windows, but I prefer a glass cleaning product. To each his own.
*The engine compartment area can be cleaned with the S&W and some brushes and towels as well if you do it regularly. It's much easier to keep that area cleaned than it is to neglect it and then have a real mess to clean up. My eight year old engine compartment looks new except for any places I might miss, but it has never been dirty since I bought it new.
*Will you get any marring? Possibly a small amount, but I don't think it is any worse than what is caused when bucket washing. Any time you touch the paint, the chance of marring is there.
*Is it cost effective? I think so. Buying it by the gallon, I use about $1 worth per wash.
Having a clean vehicle, priceless.
Questions/comments welcome.
Charles
Spray & Wipe
It's hard to say enough about this product. I didn't even consider using a waterless wash product prior to hearing about this stuff in, I think, about 2002. After reading the raves, I tried it and have been a big fan ever since.
*I have only used this product in the shade, but I think many people do use it in the sun.
*If the vehicle has globs of dirt/mud or salt accumulation, I wash that off at the DIY pressure wash before I start.
*Use enough to cover a panel. It doesn't need to be soaking wet, just covered. A good sprayer is an important part of getting good coverage.
*I also spray some on my wiping towel before the first wipe so I don't start with a dry towel
*Depending on the temperature, I usually break the cleaning up into sections. 1/2 of the hood or roof, a door, a fender, a quarter panel or the deck.
*Use a good MF towel. Some people use a WW, I don't and wouldn't. I think having the nap for the dirt suspended in the S&W to be absorbed into is important.
*Wipe, it's Spray & Wipe, not rub. With the MF folded in 1/4's or 1/8's depending on the size of the towel, I wipe in one direction, then turn the towel to another surface and make a finish pass. Depending on the size of the vehicle, how dirty the vehicle is and the size of your MF towel, I use as few as one and as many as three. I know of people that use as many as 19 on a big ole pickup.
*The wheels, wheel wells and tires can be done the same way as the body. I prefer to use BnB on the tires. I use a few brushes and some of my old cotton terry towels for those areas.
*Many people use the S&W on their windows, but I prefer a glass cleaning product. To each his own.
*The engine compartment area can be cleaned with the S&W and some brushes and towels as well if you do it regularly. It's much easier to keep that area cleaned than it is to neglect it and then have a real mess to clean up. My eight year old engine compartment looks new except for any places I might miss, but it has never been dirty since I bought it new.
*Will you get any marring? Possibly a small amount, but I don't think it is any worse than what is caused when bucket washing. Any time you touch the paint, the chance of marring is there.
*Is it cost effective? I think so. Buying it by the gallon, I use about $1 worth per wash.
Having a clean vehicle, priceless.
Questions/comments welcome.
Charles
