Washing at home with Hard Water

[wn1998]

Guys and gals,
I currently use the local spray and wash and have thought about washing at home but my hose water is extremely hard and if you don't dry immediately you get crazy water spots on the cars.

If I dry the car before it air dries is this ok? Is there anyway to combat this extremely hard water or should I keep washing at the spray and wash?

[longbal30]

:autowash: subscribed, I have the same issue

[frosty]

Have you tried a water filter/softener?

I haven't tried one of these as of yet but getting ready to add it to my list.

Clear Inline Hose Filter Canister (http://www.autogeek.net/clinhofi.html)

Also, this is a pretty good read.

Car Wash Guide, Car Wash how to - easy steps to shampoo and dry your vehicle using paint-safe mitts and towels, plus sponges, the Grit Guard and (http://www.autogeek.net/exterior.html)

I just got the california blade and it helps get dryer. I've also experimented with using a QD to get the final wetness off and like the results.

[Lasthope05]

I have slightly hard water also. What I find helps alot is using the flooding method with the hose and having a good lsp base. The two together will reduce the water on the car to a few drops here and there. To finish up use a quick detailer as an aid to help dry faster and remove any water spotting.

The flooding method is taking off any hose attachment and reducing the water pressure so a slow steady steam. Here is an example of it:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6qHVZ4G5k4]YouTube - DODO Wax - Purple haze sheeting[/video]

[TheGLL]

Might be a stupid question, but how can I know if I have "hard water" ?

[wn1998]

Might be a stupid question, but how can I know if I have "hard water" ?

Don't hand dry your car and you will probably get some pretty bad white water spots on the paint that don't buff out with towel.

[TheGLL]

^^ Good to know, thanks for the info.

[Mike Phillips]

Usually when people talk about hard water what they mean is that their are minerals suspended in the water and if you don't remove the water from the finish then after the water evaporates off the finish the minerals will stay behind and leave a water spot.

The water Spot can be a Type I water spot or both a Type I and Type II water spot and on some paints it could potentially be a Type I, Type II and Type III water spot!

If you have minerals in your water supply you can either filter them out or wipe the water off before it can evaporate off.

This is why in my infamous car wash video I talked about washing early in the morning or late in the evening because at the time I lived in the Mojave Desert and the heat, sun and wind will tend to dry water off your car very quickly.


I'm working on an article on tis topic as I type...


Tracers Tracers - RIDS - Pigtails - Cobweb Swirls - Rotary Buffer Swirls - Holograms - Water Spots - Bird Drooping Etchings (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/22234-tracers-rids-pigtails-cobweb-swirls.html)




:)

[TheGLL]

^^ Thanks Mike!

Too bad I can't test that until spring.
Big snow storm today. :(

[Showroom Shine]

Mike,I do not have the water hardness problem. I have a General Ionics System in my home. But,can't using ONR reduce some of the water spot problems. Since you wash a section at a time and dry it,the water does not evaporate causing the spots! Is this a correct assumption?

[gearmatch]

On warm days i first rinse the car totally,wash and rinse the top surfaces then wash the rest of the car,i re-rinse and chamois dry the vehicle,i then take all my time to wash tires and rims.

[fubar]

I have slightly hard water also. What I find helps alot is using the flooding method with the hose and having a good lsp base. The two together will reduce the water on the car to a few drops here and there. To finish up use a quick detailer as an aid to help dry faster and remove any water spotting.

The flooding method is taking off any hose attachment and reducing the water pressure so a slow steady steam. Here is an example of it:

- DODO Wax - Purple haze sheeting ("http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6qHVZ4G5k4)

:iagree: i do the same thing it works great.

[LazerRed1]

We have hard water here. It's important to cool the car by running water over it to cool it before starting to wash, even if you are in the shade. I haven't had any problem this way. I start with the top and then do sections and try to rinse the car all over after washing a section, even the parts I haven't washed yet. This doesn't allow any evaporation. I then flood rinse the entire car before drying. Try this and I think you'll find it works. I always use a QD or Aquawax afer each washing.

[unclestu]

Might be a stupid question, but how can I know if I have "hard water" ?
check the ph with a ph test kit. or call your water co. they will tell you your ph (water hardness)

[DARK HORSE]

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2084_116638444

:dblthumb2:

CR Spotless Rolling De-ionized Water Filtration System, deionization system, water de-ionizer, purified water systems, cr-spotless, spot free rinse, (http://www.autogeek.net/cr-spotless-rolling-system-100.html)