Waterless washing system shootout... - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

Isidore · 08-02-2012, 06:00 PM

I am interested in trying one of the waterless systems for washing that are out there. People have commented on the various ones in this forum and I would like to hear of any favorites that people have tried and stuck with. So far I have found Crofgate,Griot's, and Optimum.. Any feedback on these products would be appreciated. My hope is that it will make the process quicker, so I can wash more often. My car lives outside and after a week it is time for a good wash.

I have thought of possibly using these to wash between big wash/wax days. Thoughts?

namtaB · 08-03-2012, 10:48 AM

I've read good things about the Optimum system. Was thinking about using this in the winter when its too cold to wash the car. Don't know how its going to handle salt though and I'm a little weary about using a waterless system on a car with road salt all over it. Still got a few more months to go before I decide how I'm going to handle keeping the car clean in the winter.

gozoner · 08-03-2012, 04:36 PM

You've got Meguiars-Ultimate-Wash-Anywhere-Spray(Also Ultimate-Wash-&-Wax-Anywhere-Tips-&-Tricks)

Isidore · 08-04-2012, 02:58 PM

I think I am going to give the Crofgate products a try. I will post my results!

amill · 08-05-2012, 09:41 AM

Do you mean a rinse-less setup? Waterless would mean it's a quick detailer or spray and dry product. Optimum no rinse requires 2 gallons of water to wash the vehicle, but no rinse step.

Isidore · 08-05-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amill

Do you mean a rinse-less setup? Waterless would mean it's a quick detailer or spray and dry product. Optimum no rinse requires 2 gallons of water to wash the vehicle, but no rinse step.

Ooops! Thanks amill. Yes, I mean no rinse car wash.

kelleycfc · 02-09-2013, 10:43 AM

I use Optimum. Works shockingly well. I use it all year.

JnC · 02-09-2013, 06:32 PM

My preference is to use a foam gun first, followed by a high pressure wash to get the dirt off. Then wash with Optimum No Rinse (ONR) using a microfiber mitt and a bucket with a dirt trap. Then dry with an air blower, followed by chamois for any leftover drops. Sounds like a bunch of steps but it's reasonably fast.

Few of the no rinse products are sudsy enough to lift dirt from the paint. You need to free up and remove fine dirt you can't see before you wash. And never ever use a sponge on your paint. Microscopically it's like dragging a piece of coral over your finish.

acanthus · 03-24-2013, 04:30 PM

I just tried ONR for the first time yesterday. I used a 2 in 1 bucket from Home Depot ($10) and each side holds about 2 gallons (one side wash, one side mitt rinse). I didn't bother with any kind of grit guard, as long as you don't leave the mitt in the rinse side, it all just falls to the bottom anyway.

I was surprised at how well the ONR worked. I think its more useful for its water softening properties than as an actual detergent. The mitt did all the work, the Optimum just keeps the water from leaving spots. My chamois got some of the water off, but honestly there were still tons of little beads that dried without any spotting on my black CRZ. I bought a Solo hand sprayer (I dont have a driveway or a hose) and was able to wet the whole car (with a fine mist) before washing on just 1 liter of water!

After, I tried the Optimum spray wax for the first time too. I'll say it was just ok. It says spray on, wipe in, thats it. It didn't really want to wipe in... I even tried applying it with one micro fiber, and wiping in with another. It just takes a lot of wiping I guess. Anyway, it looked nice afterward so there's that.

Wish I had the foresight to take a before pic of the car... lets just say it was salty. My mitt rinse water was black at the end.

Klasse Act · 03-25-2013, 10:13 AM

I have not tried the waterless systems myself but after using ONR I see no reason to to be honest. The rinseless wash is the greatest thing to come along in the car detailing world, even Turtle Wax has some but their concentration isn't as strong as others like ONR, Detailers Pro, DuraGloss and Black Fire, etc, there's takes 4 oz to 2 gallons compared to the 1 oz to 2 gallons like others. That said, the TW rinseless works awesome and is available at just about any autoparts store, check it out

08-05-2012, 09:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
amill Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: PA Posts: 38	Do you mean a rinse-less setup? Waterless would mean it's a quick detailer or spray and dry product. Optimum no rinse requires 2 gallons of water to wash the vehicle, but no rinse step. __________________

02-09-2013, 06:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
JnC Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 599	My preference is to use a foam gun first, followed by a high pressure wash to get the dirt off. Then wash with Optimum No Rinse (ONR) using a microfiber mitt and a bucket with a dirt trap. Then dry with an air blower, followed by chamois for any leftover drops. Sounds like a bunch of steps but it's reasonably fast. Few of the no rinse products are sudsy enough to lift dirt from the paint. You need to free up and remove fine dirt you can't see before you wash. And never ever use a sponge on your paint. Microscopically it's like dragging a piece of coral over your finish. __________________ Sold: 2011 CR-Z EX, MT, no-navi, white New: 2013 CR-Z EX, MT, no-navi, white

03-24-2013, 04:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
acanthus Newbie Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NY Posts: 9	Optimum No Rinse I just tried ONR for the first time yesterday. I used a 2 in 1 bucket from Home Depot ($10) and each side holds about 2 gallons (one side wash, one side mitt rinse). I didn't bother with any kind of grit guard, as long as you don't leave the mitt in the rinse side, it all just falls to the bottom anyway. I was surprised at how well the ONR worked. I think its more useful for its water softening properties than as an actual detergent. The mitt did all the work, the Optimum just keeps the water from leaving spots. My chamois got some of the water off, but honestly there were still tons of little beads that dried without any spotting on my black CRZ. I bought a Solo hand sprayer (I dont have a driveway or a hose) and was able to wet the whole car (with a fine mist) before washing on just 1 liter of water! After, I tried the Optimum spray wax for the first time too. I'll say it was just ok. It says spray on, wipe in, thats it. It didn't really want to wipe in... I even tried applying it with one micro fiber, and wiping in with another. It just takes a lot of wiping I guess. Anyway, it looked nice afterward so there's that. Wish I had the foresight to take a before pic of the car... lets just say it was salty. My mitt rinse water was black at the end.

03-25-2013, 10:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Klasse Act Super Duper Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Elk Grove Village, USA Posts: 1,559	I have not tried the waterless systems myself but after using ONR I see no reason to to be honest. The rinseless wash is the greatest thing to come along in the car detailing world, even Turtle Wax has some but their concentration isn't as strong as others like ONR, Detailers Pro, DuraGloss and Black Fire, etc, there's takes 4 oz to 2 gallons compared to the 1 oz to 2 gallons like others. That said, the TW rinseless works awesome and is available at just about any autoparts store, check it out __________________ 2011 CR-Z EX 6MT/SSM/K&N typhoon/"mufflerless" exhaust 17" MB Weapons/225-45 Conti DWS/lots of "little" mods Paint surface protection count...(83-37)

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08-03-2012, 10:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
namtaB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 366	I've read good things about the Optimum system. Was thinking about using this in the winter when its too cold to wash the car. Don't know how its going to handle salt though and I'm a little weary about using a waterless system on a car with road salt all over it. Still got a few more months to go before I decide how I'm going to handle keeping the car clean in the winter.

02-09-2013, 10:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
kelleycfc Newbie Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 14	I use Optimum. Works shockingly well. I use it all year.