There are 4 popular approaches to washing and cleaning cars, below are descriptions of the four different approaches followed with the products that can be used for the different approaches.
Normal Car Wash
A normal car wash is simply the more traditional method of dragging out the water hose, filling a bucket with water, adding the soap then spraying the car down with water, then washing the car and then going back to the water hose to rinse the suds off and then repeating this over the rest of the car before the section you just washed has a chance to dry possibly causing water spots. This system works well but it also uses a lot of water and in some areas it may not be allowed.
Waterless Car Wash
A waterless car wash is where you use a high lubricity pre-mixed spray detailer to heavily saturate a panel and then carefully wipe any dirt or road grime off to a dry shine. The key to working safely with a waterless car wash is to use plenty of clean, microfiber polishing towels and after using all 8 sides of a microfiber towel, quit using the microfiber towel and switch to a new, clean microfiber polishing towel so you don't simply transfer dirt removed from one panel to another panel.
Rinseless Car Wash
A rinseless car wash is kind of a cross between a normal car wash and a waterless car wash. Like a normal car wash, you’re still going to use water, but only a couple of gallons. Like a waterless wash, instead of rinsing your wash solution off, you’ll work panel by panel and wipe each panel to a dry shine using microfiber drying towels like the Water Guzzler. With a Rinseless Wash, you’ll use dramatically less water but still be flushing the panel with plenty of high lubricity wash solution to leave behind a scratch-free finish.
Spray Detailer
Spray Detailers are for removing, Light Dust, Fingerprints, Smudges and most can also be used as a clay lubricant. Light dust is a light accumulation of airborne dust and contaminants that have landed primarily on horizontal surfaces and have not in any way bonded to the paint.
Autogeek's Selection of Car Washing and Cleaning Products
Note: There is no official recommendation from Meguiar's to use Last Touch as a Waterless Car Wash but this is a high lubricity spray detailer that can be diluted 1:1 for a clay lube. For the opposite reason you can dilute it for a clay lube, (that is when used straight it's too slippery for a clay lube), it can be used as a waterless car wash as this product is sold in Australia as a waterless wash.
Note: While spray detailers are first and foremost positioned as products for removing light dust, if used wet or heavy and with good technique, that can substitute for a high lubricity waterless wash. Use your own judgment.
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Thanks for the explanations on the different types of washes Mike. Alot of people still get it wrong when explaining,or ask about technique. What is your take on products like Dri Wash n Guard,No Wet, Eco Wash etc. I still use a waterless product for touch up,when the car is just dusty.
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Originally Posted by Showroom Shine
Thanks for the explanations on the different types of washes Mike. Alot of people still get it wrong when explaining,or ask about technique. What is your take on products like Dri Wash n Guard,No Wet, Eco Wash etc. I still use a waterless product for touch up,when the car is just dusty.
Anytime I haven't used a product I like to either abstain from a comment or tread lightly on my comments for various reasons... to that point I haven't used the product you mentioned but the Dri Wash n Guard has been around for a number of years and has a strong following as a quality product and I think as business opportunity for those so inclined. The cars I've seen that it's been used on all usually look very clean and shiny so as long as the user's happy that's what's most important.
With clean water becoming a more valuable commodity in certain geographical areas and also areas of high population concentrations the trend for the future will be a growth in new products that replace high water-use products in all segments of our lives including washing and cleaning our cars. As such, expect to see more new companies pop up on the Internet with water conserving products. Then like all products, they will be purchased, discussed and at some point a forum consensus will be formed and generally agreed upon as to their performance.
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Mr. Phillips, I've been looking for way to measure out a bucket and saw that you said to put a mark at 6" in a 5 gallon bucket for two gallons. If 6" = 2 gallons, would it be safe to assume that:
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Originally Posted by StoneRaizer
Mr. Phillips, I've been looking for way to measure out a bucket and saw that you said to put a mark at 6" in a 5 gallon bucket for two gallons. If 6" = 2 gallons, would it be safe to assume that:
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Originally Posted by embolism
If 6" does in fact equal 2 gallons, then every 3" equals 1 gallon in one of those buckets and your table above is correct
Thanks for chiming in Tim...
One thing I like to practice is anytime I'm going to repeat a process over and over again is try to find a way to make if quick and easy while removing any thinking needed to do it correctly.
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Originally Posted by StoneRaizer
Mr. Phillips, I've been looking for way to measure out a bucket and saw that you said to put a mark at 6" in a 5 gallon bucket for two gallons. If 6" = 2 gallons, would it be safe to assume that:
I think that will apply to cylinders. My buckets are kinda cone'ish, where the area of the base is larger than that of the mouth. I think the volumes per sections (divided by equal height) vary.
Re: The difference between a Normal Car Wash, a Waterless Car Wash, a Rinseless Car Wash and a Spray Detailer
Originally Posted by flyinion
Isn't ONR at 8oz to a gallon the QD ratio? I wasn't aware you could make a waterless wash out of it with that ratio (or any for that matter).
You are correct. We do not list a dilution for use as a waterless. With that said, you could use it at this dilution safely approaching the vehicle armed with a little common sense like is needed using any waterless wash.
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