Griot's Spray-On Car Wash

[AirVenture]

Griot's Spray-On Car Wash

Car: 2006 Toyota Matrix
(3 month old KAIO, KSG, Collinite 845 treatment)
Temp: 70F
Humity: 13%

Griot's Product Info (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-waterless-wash.html)
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyaXXMNxFLY]Griot's Garage Spray-On Car Wash - YouTube[/video]
Price: $15.99 (35oz.), $2.99 sprayer
$39.99 (1 gal = 3.66 bottles or $11/bottle)
Autogeek's price is $49.99/gal but I'm sure they'd be happy to price match Griot's Garage.

Other products:
Cobra 530 microfiber towel (http://www.autogeek.net/supreme-buff-microfiber-towel.html)
Cobra Microfiber Glass Towel (http://www.autogeek.net/ww1627.html)
Stoner Invisible Glass Aerosol (http://www.autogeek.net/stoninglas.html)
Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-bond-tire-gel-32oz.html)

Here in Texas, things have been a little dry to say the least. Rinseless washes are terrific, but since I live in an apartment complex I have to drive to a self-serve car wash to get the water . So here steps in Griot's Spray-On Car Wash! This actually came free with my last order from Griot's Garage.

The Product
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6807645614_7736617f4f_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6953755641_e947677439_b.jpg

Matrix Before

Condition: There's a moderate about of dust and even pollen on the car from the high winds we have had lately. On the lower panels there are splash marks from puddles. There has been no rain since it has been washed last (2 weeks). Some sap is spotted across the horizontal surfaces.

One bird bomb
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6953759347_0e9161a732_z.jpg

Dust thickness
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6807648068_d4338bb438_z.jpg

Dust
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6807647554_7e49b037b5_z.jpg

Puddle splashes
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6807647178_eede478dfb_z.jpg

Wheel crud
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6953757203_57919e3f4c_z.jpg

Car as a whole...doesn't look bad far away
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6953755955_ca5ee6b231_z.jpg

The Process

Give it a spray
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6807644626_4e6fef9f30_z.jpg

Give it a wipe, and polish off with a dry towel
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6953755051_2b2f68453a_z.jpg

This is after just the rear window
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6953754731_a456a8819a_z.jpg

LARGER to show detail...Before
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6953754311_0ff4b2c8eb_b.jpg

LARGER to show detail...After one pass
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6807643202_929f4b320f_b.jpg

LARGER...50/50
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6953753191_3bd96592d2_b.jpg

Wheel BEFORE
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6953752809_e0863cc0b1_z.jpg

Wheel AFTER
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6953752537_4a154f02cb_z.jpg

Matrix After
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6807641796_7390a81967_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6953752037_b143ea006e_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6807641124_28ab6a46dd_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6953751561_7e6807b8dc_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6953750929_773c58767e_z.jpg

I'd estimate I used about 1/3 to 1/5 of the product. I used it judiciously as they describe and show in the product video. If you skipped the windows, wheels, and wheel wells you could get about 3 car washes out of a bottle.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6953750167_1e2c0799ff_z.jpg

Conclusion


Pros
Smells pleasent, like sunscrean
Works great on moderate dust and soiling
Cuts through brake dust nicley
Streak free even on windows
Leaves a smooth finish
Restores cars prior gloss
Start to finish this process is quicker than a rinseless wash. (mainly since I don't have an outside water source)
Simple process, not a lot of prep work



Cons
Overspray on a windy day can be problem
Doesn't remove tree sap easily (fingernail still needed)
A little pricey compared to a rinseless wash
Easy to miss the nooks and crannys


If you're truly into water conservation, whether personal preference or ordinance mandated, then this is a must-have product. The same goes for if you do not have easy access to an outside water source. This might be great for road trips. I'd advise purchasing it by the gallon and reusing the spray bottles. You do use a lot of product even on a small-mid sized car.

I'd say the outcome would have been similar if I had used ONR to wash the car. It took me 1hr 30min to do the Matrix. That's not bad considering I was taking pictures and also did the windows and tires. I'd guess if I had to do it again it'd take me a little over an hour.

Let me know if you have any questions!

[rakkvet]

I agree. It is pricey. I love it though.

[rwright]

Ooh, another hose free wash product review. Very nice! I haven't had the pleasure of using this yet, just may have to pick some up. Thanks!

[01GreyStangGT]

Good product. I've gone through 2 bottles of it. I also use PoorBoys Spray and Wipe.

[builthatch]

i think it's neat you reviewed it. thanks for doing that.

however, i'm unsure why anyone would try this over Opti-Clean, even looking past the OPT cost savings. Opti-Clean is cheap and pretty much flawless in function, especially when matched with some of the other products in OPT's range.

the Griot's item seems like a me too product with a premium price imo. i understand they needed to come out with it since they have so many devotees that might never learn about Opti-Clean, but for us? i don't get it :)

[theparmachine]

I love this stuff. I got mine about 2 years ago from Costco. It was a 1 gallon container, plus a 35 oz spray bottle (filled) and 3 griots MF towels for $30.

I still have about 60 oz left and have been scanning Costco for refills every time I go back.

[ShinyRex]

I love this stuff. I got mine about 2 years ago from Costco. It was a 1 gallon container, plus a 35 oz spray bottle (filled) and 3 griots MF towels for $30.

I still have about 60 oz left and have been scanning Costco for refills every time I go back.

Thats a %^$# good price.

[ShinyRex]

I like the Griots line but as many others have mentioned it is pricy. UWW+ looks almost the same cleans just as well and costs a fraction of the amount.

[Marc08EX]

Excellent review!! I like the detailed step by step shots you provided.


I love this stuff. I got mine about 2 years ago from Costco. It was a 1 gallon container, plus a 35 oz spray bottle (filled) and 3 griots MF towels for $30.

I still have about 60 oz left and have been scanning Costco for refills every time I go back.

Wow that's a smoking deal! How long ago did you buy it? I've never seen my local Costco sell them.

[SRTSean]

I've never seen Griot's at Costco and both are local companies to the PNW. Suprising to hear about that.

[umi000]

I like the Griots line but as many others have mentioned it is pricy. UWW+ looks almost the same cleans just as well and costs a fraction of the amount.

I agree. I've only ever tried UWW+ and Poorboy's S&W, precisely because of the cost issue - UWW+ just has all of them beat on price; in fact, it's not even close. The only reason I got S&W is for use on exterior glass (it usually has Opti-Seal or UQW, which can get degraded by normal glass cleaners), where the heavy polymer load in UWW+ does leave some streaking.

[swanicyouth]

All of a sudden my local chain auto parts store started carrying Griots products. That is one of the items they carry. I didn't try it, but I did try the speed detailer product . It's a pretty good spray detailer. I think I would buy it over others just because of I can get it around the corner now.

[5.4 Shelby]

I have been using this since Griots introduced it. I maintain my Mustang with it. I almost never wash it. Of course, I dont let it get very dirty either.

I does streak just a little sometimes. Overall it is one of my favorite car care products.

[Blackthorn One]

i think it's neat you reviewed it. thanks for doing that.

however, i'm unsure why anyone would try this over Opti-Clean, even looking past the OPT cost savings. Opti-Clean is cheap and pretty much flawless in function, especially when matched with some of the other products in OPT's range.

the Griot's item seems like a me too product with a premium price imo. i understand they needed to come out with it since they have so many devotees that might never learn about Opti-Clean, but for us? i don't get it :)
The nice thing about this product is that it also contains sealant, to maintain a layer of protection, which other products do not offer. As such, this product enhances the gloss, and you get two benefits from the product.

[Bosco]

I tried the griot's spray car wash yesterday, and it seems like I could have easily used a whole 35oz doing my car. It worked pretty well, but way too expensive.