What's the deal with the waterless wash?

R

RickyMartinZ28

New member
Here lately I've seen alot of the waterless wash threads...



Whats the advantage to doing something like that? I guess I'm missing something. It just seems inefficient...



-Rick
 
I think you mean inEffective?



It uses less water, takes less time.........sounds efficient to me.



But....does it do those things while not marring and cleaning as thoroughly as a traditional or rinse-less wash?



High Def Water[less] looks interesting. I use primarily QEW/ONR but I am building up the courage for a waterless wash.
 
I guess I say inefficient cause it seems like a lot of wiping and buffing when you could just wash and dry....





Seems like a good way to scratch the paint. I guess it just scares me. I'll have to try it sometime.... not on my car.
 
Heh, I HAVE to do all testing on my own car - I refuse to experiment on a clients car.



Unfortunately this means i have a few swirls on my miata, but its better than doing it to someone else's car :(.
 
inefficient, definitely not. Quite the opposite. If anything, the 2bm/hose wash is probably the most inefficient you can possibly be.



It takes about the same time, maybe a little more, that it takes to QD a car. Its time and water efficient.



Like wannafbody said, being effective is the question.



From my own usage, some can wash a slightly dirty car without marring in a fraction of the time it takes to do a traditional wash.



I think theyre great for upkeep.



I used to let my car get extremely dirty because a traditional wash would take so long and I dont trust QDs on even a slightly dirty car. So I would wait till it was worth my time to wash it. With Rinseless and Waterless washes I now have a way to keep my car looking good all the time since theyre way less time/energy consuming (more efficient).
 
It is an alternative to traditional washing. Traditional washing has its place (heavy soiling, etc) but many jurisdictions are clamping down on run-off water. the choices then are to take it to a DIY car wash or take the rinseless route. The advantages or straight waterless or rinseless washing to me is that I reduce water consumption and have an easy alternative to cleaning my vehicle (light soiling) with the product ans several MF cloths (portable). If I am using ONR/DP Rinsless type of washes, I am using 2 gallons total for a wash as compared to 30 or more for a traditional wash. (In fact I did exactly one traditional wash this summer).

Again, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I find this a great alternative (with little to no risk done properly)
 
Looks to me like it would cost more for the solution, then turn around and spend 30 gallons on washing a couple handfuls of microfibers that you used to save water...



I guess it makes sense if you live in an area where washing isn't an option...
 
I'm not saying that waterless/rinseless is the magic solution. I do feel that it is a viable option, especially in water restricted communities or for a quick/portable wash with essentially very little runoff.





Cost: approx 1 oz(ONR/DP) to 2 gallons of water. I bought a buy one/get one free of DP Rinseless (64oz total) for approx $16. This will give me 64 washes at that dilution(.25/per wash minus the water). However, I tend to DP/ONR as a QD(slightly stronger dilution) and find it to be a very effective window cleaner as well. So, now I have three uses for one product.



Now, the strictly waterless solutions would probably be a more expensive option for now than the rinseless and traditional washes. However, in a pinch, they work quite well and reduce runoff (again a sticking point for many detailers( potential fines) and others in water controlled communities)



Washing MF's in a washing machine is going to occur anyway, whether you do a traditional wash/rinseless/waterless wash. That waste water will be treated and the majority of that water will be reclaimed in many communities. \



Now I'm not an advocate for the abolition of traditional washes. In fact, many times it is exactly what is required for a neglected/heavily soiled vehicle. Rinseless/Waterless have their limitations. I do however like being able to wash my vehicle with a solution, sponge and 2-3 MF's in a 10 minute period with very little runoff.
 
Well it all depends on your situation.



Say for example youre a mobile detailer washing fleets. You may spend more initially on solution (more doesnt necessarily mean ALOT more) but youll make a lot more in the long run since youll be washing say 6 cars in the time it used to take for 3.



And you dont use a ton of mfs when doing a waterless wash. How many do YOU use during your regular wash?



Last time I did a waterless wash it took me 3 (only the body, no wheels/tires). Two were for wiping away the dirt and one was for the final buff. 3 is about what I use on a regular wash (only the body, no wheels/tires). So there is no added cost there, atleast for me.



Like I said, waterless washing has its place. Maybe not for you specifically. I dont know what your situation is. If your just a weekend warrior who likes to spend time outside washing your car than, no, you probably dont need it.



If your doing this to bring income in than theres definitely a spot.



BTW, im not in any way saying waterless washing is as safe as a traditional wash, just that it has its uses.
 
not to mention, it makes being mobile MUCH easier. 3 gallons in a homer bucket with the lid attached and you're off...
 
RickyMartinZ28 said:
What about cost effective?



Does it cost significantly more to do this waterless wash?
Click to expand...



Waterless or rinseless?



Most waterless washes are pretty expensive per use. Rinseless washes like ONR by the gallon are very cheap to use. 1 oz per 2 gallons of water (absolutely nothing to gain by using more) means 128 washes per $35-40 gallon of ONR. At $40 a gallon, that is 31 cents per wash.
 
Plus the advantage of being able wash in your garage when its raining or its so sunny out that you may get water spots. In the last year and a half, I've only done one traditional wash, the rest have been done using ONR.
 
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