Who Uses ONR?

Scottwax said:
If the larger company you are talking about is Meguiars, I have it straight from someone at Meguiars that they looked into their own version of QEW (when it was the only rinseless wash) and found a lot of room for improvement (as Dave with Optimum did) but in the end decided not to make their own version since it isn't "bubba proof". Anything they offer for retail sale has to still be able to give decent results even if not used properly and they didn't feel that a rinseless wash has enough margin of error.
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IIRC Meg's sells a rinseless wash product (this may be more of a glorified QD/Pb's S&W type) in Australia, apparently they have been having some drought restrictions there. I would look it up on MOL (which is where I saw it) but I pretty much gave up on that forum after they changed software. No "new posts" button, etc.
 
Scottwax said:
but in the end decided not to make their own version since it isn't "bubba proof". Anything they offer for retail sale has to still be able to give decent results even if not used properly and they didn't feel that a rinseless wash has enough margin of error.
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Would an example of an error be someone washing their car completely with a rinseless and then drying rather than doing one section at a time?



I only ask because so many people talk about how simple ONR is, I couldn't see how someone could screw it up.
 
The biggest surprise was for me after last winter's ONR'ing, that when I did the first "proper" washing in the spring, no dirt poured out from behind the door trim pieces. I expected a dirty ugly soup, but nothing. That was a clear indication that ONR was doing its job exceptionally through the whole winter.



I always wonder why certain people always think that ONR works only with the described strict "one wash-one dry" wipe. Lack of common sense, mental disorder, brain fart? Dunno.



Presoak panel. Wash the panel. Rinse the mitt or towel really well. Check the surface - does it need further washing? If yes, wash again until it's completely clean. Then, and only then, dry.



If the surface needs further cleaning, the water can pool/cling on the dirtier spots indicating that more washing is needed. If the water film breaks up on the surface immediately, with no signs of grit, dirt, etc. then it is usually clean. The drying towel should be absolutely clean.



If you working in the sun, in windy conditions, you have to work on one panel at a time unless you want nice spots. If you wash the car in cloudy, overcast, calm conditions, the water won't dry as quickly, so you can wash more panels at a time.



Pay attention to the recesses, gaps, seals, jambs where dirt can hide.



...and why use MF towels on the lower areas/wells? MF will not release dirt particles readily, so use terry or simple cotton towels, and brushes when you clean wheelwell areas. I'm using dedicated chenille mitts for wheely & tire duty, for sills, brushes, bug sponges for wheelwells and MF for the other parts.
 
been looking for a low water way to wash my cars, and this sounds interesting, although it is expensive to get in the UK and only seems available in small quantities....



Just reading the directions on the website, and I assume you continue to use a 2 bucket method with this product to rinse out the MF thoroughly before soaking in the wash solution again?
 
Bigpikle said:
been looking for a low water way to wash my cars, and this sounds interesting, although it is expensive to get in the UK and only seems available in small quantities....



Just reading the directions on the website, and I assume you continue to use a 2 bucket method with this product to rinse out the MF thoroughly before soaking in the wash solution again?
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Whenever I do ONR washes (which isn't very often), I use the 2 bucket method still with grit guards. I know Scottwax is a firm believer in ONR and he uses just 1 bucket.



Personally, I don't like using mf towels to do my cleaning pass when using ONR because mf towels hold onto the dirt and grit, no matter how much agitate against the grit guard. I'd use another wash media that releases grit better. For me, I prefer sea sponges or grout sponges. But if you were constantly switching towels, that wouldn't really matter. But then that adds more time, by having to constantly grab new towels, more towels to wash later, not to mention a lot of towels getting soiled badly. I'd save the towel for the drying passes.
 
I think the key with using rinsless washes is the wiping method. The towel needs to be fairly wet or you will end up with micromarring. Following up with another towel and QD is a good idea to get rid of waterspots. Using a wash product that leaves a film of wax or polymer protection is an absurd way to measure any products durability.
 
Wow!! Thanks for all the responses. I told the rep that I would not disclose his name or company. I still think the 2 bucket method is still the best but when winter sets in then I will go to the ONR. Being an engi"nerd" I do repspect the science and technology behind the product. I made a bottle of QD using ONR and spray it on the panel and then go with the sheepskin ONR at car wash dilution. What amazes me is that I did not get even one passionate response against the product. Again thanks for your replies.
 
wannafbody said:
Using a wash product that leaves a film of wax or polymer protection is an absurd way to measure any products durability.
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So you are saying that the several months durability I get from Z5 is an anomaly because I use ONR?



Just curious why both you and Edwin would post comments like this when it has nothing to do with the topic at all?
 
Since we're already OT.



Doesn't using Z-7 for a wash leave behind some of the Zaino polymer goodness, too...:secret
 
I have found ONR washes to be convenient and quick, and I can't seem to notice any marring either from using some of the writeups available on here. The sheepskin glides nice too with it.
 
Bence said:
...and why use MF towels on the lower areas/wells? MF will not release dirt particles readily, so use terry or simple cotton towels, and brushes when you clean wheelwell areas. I'm using dedicated chenille mitts for wheely & tire duty, for sills, brushes, bug sponges for wheelwells and MF for the other parts.
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Good point, that's why I use older MFs (not so fluffy anymore) for this purpose...works really good. BTW, I usually clean the wheels & wells using the a strong carwash dilution (spray bottle & bucket) and a set of brushes, and mitt....but ONR them when the weather is not so cooperative.
 
QEW/ONR also make for a wonderful Clay lube (3 caps in 32 oz of H2O). It cleans and lubes the surface better than anything I have used over the years. :xyxthumbs



Scott, from my experience/testing, most LSP's will last indefinitely if QEW/ONR is added to the wash solution and used every week or two (I do this for my daily drivers when not testing a product). I also use AW and 1Z Lackafinish (?) as an inexpensive alternative as in-bucket protection additives.





"Doesn't using Z-7 for a wash leave behind some of the Zaino polymer goodness, too..."



Z7 , Z6 and Z8 leave behind "much" polymer goodness. These elements incorporate themselves into the Zaino matrix and re-enforce or repair areas that have been denuded by things like sap that will sometimes create "holes" in the protective layer. If one uses Zaino as a system, the need for frequent LSP applications become a very infrequent necessary occurrence.:heelclick
 
I was incredibly skeptical of the ability of ONR to work as advertised without marring the paint.



However, I kept reading threads on Autopia about people getting great results with ONR without any more marring than a traditional wash.



Finally, when my area instituted water restrictions, I decided to give ONR a try. That was a couple of months ago and since that time I have done 4 washes with ONR and I'm converted: it absolutely performs as advertised and actually makes the whole washing/ drying experience much easier, quicker, and more efficient.



I use the following process for ONR - 1) presoak panel with QD strength ONR solution; 2) wipe panel with sheepskin mitt and ONR wash strength solution (I use a higher concentration of ONR than the bottle recommends - about 2 ounces/3 gallons of water); 3) rinse wash mitt in 2nd bucket with gritt guard and 1/2 ounce ONR; 4) put sheepskin mitt back in ONR wash solution after rinsing in rinse bucket; 5) dry panel; and 6) repeat steps 1-5 until done with vehicle.





About the only limitation I could see with ONR would be its ability to clean an off-road SUV/truck with caked on mud without some sort of separate rinsing/treatment of the mud. Other than that, it's golden.



I guess my ultimate opinion of ONR can be summed up by the fact that I don't see myself going back to a conventional wash when water restrictions in my area are lifted.
 
I have been forced to start using rinseless washesfor the last couple of months due to water restrictions. I am not using it to save time, I am using it because I have to. I have found that I really like it, and will probably never go back to conventional washing. Here are some things I have noticed:



If the car is really dirty (I don't go 4wheelin, so I am talking about grime, not caked on mud), I will spray a panel with some solution in a spray bottle, and let it sit for a second before I wash the panel. I figure this gives a little added lubrication.



I use a MF wash mitt, and typically swap to a clean mitt halfway through the wash, just to be safe. I also use the 2 bucket method.



I use 2, 16"x24" MF towels, folded into fourths (so I have 8 total panels on each towel, since the towels have 2 sides) for drying. I use one for the initial wiping of the panel, then use the second towel and wipe back over it to "finish it off". This 2 towel system works well, especially since the first towel gets progressively wetter as I wash more of the car.



Regarding the wheels and wheel wells, I pull my wheels off every other wash. I spray some of my solution in the squirt bottle on each side of the wheel, and wipe it down. I then dip a brush in a bucket of water and solution, and use the brush on the tires. While the wheel/tire is off, I squirt more solution in the wheel well, and wipe the wheel well down with a terry cloth towel, then dress teh wheel well. After doing this, I put on my tire dressing, and put the wheel back on the car.



Regarding the underside of the vehicle, I typically clean the rocker panels where they wrap under the vehicle by hand. As long as we are under water restriction, I guess I will have to just go to the spray off car wash once a month just to spray underneath the car.
 
@ weekendwarrior: I was also taught to pre-spray panels that are soiled. If i am not in the sun i pre seak behind the wheels, in the wells and the frontend and windshield. Starts to eat at the bigs etc and gives me some more lube.



I use a 1 gallon pump sprayer that you can get for 12 bucks at lowes. As an added bonus i use it with ONR in engine compartments too and it sprays off a ton of gunk without worrying as much about electrics, it also avoids some spotting...
 
It's the only way to go for a good winter wash in cold temps! Just fill up a 2 gallon bucket with some nice warm water...



The looks from the neighbors when you're outside washing in 45 degree weather is priceless!
 
sspeer said:
It's the only way to go for a good winter wash in cold temps! Just fill up a 2 gallon bucket with some nice warm water...



The looks from the neighbors when you're outside washing in 45 degree weather is priceless!
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When it is that cold, do you use a handled wash brush or just have really cold hands?:lol
 
BlackElantraGT said:
It's like taking a shower. You could wipe yourself down and feel "fresh" for a short period of time, but eventually you're going to have to take a real shower. And a real shower isn't just stepping into the water and lathering yourself up. You got areas you have to scrub (behind your ears, your neck, your back, etc.) if you want to be fully clean.
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It's funny that you use the shower analogy, as I was just thinking along the same lines a few days ago. I was even going to start a new thread asking if those who swear by ONR would ever apply the same technique to clean their bodies and forego taking showers or baths altogether.



Don't get me wrong. I have purchased and used ONR in the past and it isn't a bad product. But it does have limitations that traditional washes don't have. I don't doubt that it can get the car 90% as clean as with a regular wash, but its all those hard to reach and see areas that are normally very filthy that ONR is not designed to tackle. I personally like the luxury of being able to spray down wheels/tires, wheelwells, undercarriages and engine bays with APC then hitting those areas with a strong spray of water with no or minimal need for manual agitation.



Sure, my preferred method may not be as environmentally friendly as if I were to use ONR exclusively, but its a tradeoff that I have no problem with. After all, we all drive cars that contribute to the declining quality of the environment, yet we do so anyways.
 
clnfrk said:
It's funny that you use the shower analogy, as I was just thinking along the same lines a few days ago. I was even going to start a new thread asking if those who swear by ONR would ever apply the same technique to clean their bodies and forego taking showers or baths altogether.
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My car doesn't have hair, nor does it have pores that emit sweat and oils. You are comparing apples to toilet seats.
 
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