[D_o_S]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some method that will allow me to wash my car more than once a month, like I currently do. At the moment, I use the two bucket method, along with a pressure washer. That takes me like 3 hours to do (including setting up stuff, etc.)

I would like something that will get the job done in 30 minutes It doesn't have to be perfect, but just remove the dusty look for the most part... I have tried my own pressure washer, but so long as you don't rub the paint/use the 2 bucket method along with it, it doesn't help at all - the paint is as dirty as before when the water dries.

I have also tried the pressure washers at my local gas station, and they don't help either. I hosed down the whole car (seemed like there was no pressure actually, just a fine nozzle) and then went out and did some runs on the highway, to dry it... the car is exactly the same as before (i.e. about 95% as dirty as before).

So, I'm coming to you guys for help. I have access to water, so I'm not sure I want any of those waterless things, as IMHO, they will always scratch your paint more than any water method (except car wash brushes OFC).

I don't know what would help me - is using some active shampoo and a foam lance ontop of my pressure washer going to help? If I get some good shampoo, spray it on, wait like a minute or two, and then rinse?

Or do I need a better pressure washer, like this: http://www.kraenzle.com/en/products-...wer-packs.html ?

Help please! The shorter it takes, the happier I'll be (and my car too)

[Buegie]

A foam lance might be a good idea, I have this and it's great, especially when you consider the price.

http://************/38ypu2x

Although, I'm using a gas power washer running at ~3000 psi so YMMV if you're using a smaller one. Once you get everything set up, you can soap up the whole car, wash with a mitt, and rinse in well under 30 mins. When you include the setup though it's a bit longer.

You could probably use a foam gun instead (ie one that attaches to a hose rather than a power washer). It takes out some of the setup time but the pressure is obviously much weaker than what you'll get out of the power washer.

[JohnnyT]

How about Optimum No Rinse (or ONR as some here call it)?? It was recommended to me in this forum for winter washing and I plan to get it.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum...-P444/32oz-S1/

[MuttGrunt]

I can wash my car in less than an hour including set-up and putting things away. This is (of course) using the two-bucket method. Once you get things down a little better, you'll probably be able to do the same.

[jopa489]

I can get an ONR wash done in an hour. That includes prep, wheels and cleanup. Aside from just hitting it with a foam canon and rinsing, there's really no way to get the job done any faster than ONR. Buy some, you'll likely be impressed.

[ibimmer954]

I can wash my car (not including wheels) in about 30 minutes using ONR in the garage. The car doesn't get completely spotless, but it's real close given the relative amount of work involved compared to a full wash. ONR will do the trick quickly!

[D_o_S]

Originally Posted by jopa489

I can get an ONR wash done in an hour. That includes prep, wheels and cleanup. Aside from just hitting it with a foam canon and rinsing, there's really no way to get the job done any faster than ONR. Buy some, you'll likely be impressed.

So, will the foam cannon + rinse be as good as a normal wash? Or at most, just SLIGHTLY inferior?

I'm scared about ONR scratching my paint... I have some Lucky Earth Waterless Car Wash and it scratches...

[TheRox]

Hmmm..


I use one bucket, meguiar's gold class...and a wool wash mitt.

Before i put the mitt in the soap bucket....I always wash it thoroughly and quickly using hte hose, to remove any debris...and look it over once to ensure there is no visible debris.

I can easily wash each week under 30 mins.

Easy setup too,
-bucket
-soap
-wash mitt
-make sure you wash the wash mitt before you dunk it into the soap bucket (as this is not two bucket method, but i think its better because the force of the water coming out of the hose helps clean the wash mitt each time)

-at the end i use the last of soap to clean my rims, with another old synthetic wash mitt that i don't care about.

easily under 30 mins.

[D_o_S]

Theoretically, ONR should lift the dirt from the paint, right?

In that case, it shouldn't matter if I wipe it down with a cloth, or hose it down?

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by jopa489

I can get an ONR wash done in an hour. That includes prep, wheels and cleanup. Aside from just hitting it with a foam canon and rinsing, there's really no way to get the job done any faster than ONR. Buy some, you'll likely be impressed.

agreed

[Gig103]

The two bucket approach, plus sheeting method/drying takes me about 30-45 minutes, for a basic maintenance wash -- no wax, no detail spray, no wheels.

I'm not sure anything quicker would be as effective, but ONR does have a good reputation.

[pander5]

I, too, held off from getting ONR for months thinking it would marr the paint. When I finally bit the bullit I was amazed and have used it now for over a year with NO scratches ever. I am in and out with an ONR wash and dry in about 45 minutes, including wheels and wells.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by D_o_S

So, will the foam cannon + rinse be as good as a normal wash? Or at most, just SLIGHTLY inferior?

I'm scared about ONR scratching my paint... I have some Lucky Earth Waterless Car Wash and it scratches...

Don't bother with any other product. ONR is the best. It's not waterless, it's rinseless.

And foam cannon + rinse is the same process as a standard touchless car wash. Yeah, it works to get the dust off, but it's not a replacement for a full wash or ONR wash. Personally, I wouldn't even bother dragging out the pressure washer when I can go down the street for a $7 touchless wash. If it hasn't rained, you car might look good after just the foam cannon rinse, but if you drive through rain (or need to get bugs off, etc), you really need a more thorough wash. But who am I to tell you what to do. Give it a shot and let us know how it works for you.

[Ridiculous]

I want to check out ONR for sure. Space heater + ONR seems epic

[Philz BMW]

Originally Posted by TheRox

Hmmm..


I use one bucket, meguiar's gold class...and a wool wash mitt.

Before i put the mitt in the soap bucket....I always wash it thoroughly and quickly using hte hose, to remove any debris...and look it over once to ensure there is no visible debris.

I can easily wash each week under 30 mins.

Easy setup too,
-bucket
-soap
-wash mitt
-make sure you wash the wash mitt before you dunk it into the soap bucket (as this is not two bucket method, but i think its better because the force of the water coming out of the hose helps clean the wash mitt each time)

-at the end i use the last of soap to clean my rims, with another old synthetic wash mitt that i don't care about.

easily under 30 mins.

same

[Revelation19]

Ya, I used to make a big production about washing my 328i and then realized it just wasn't necessary.

If you've already polished and sealed, then ONR or DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss is all that is needed for effective maintenance. I prefer the DP product because it does a fantastic job, and I think it's a better value than ONR, but that's beside the point.

Also, I load up a cart like this one with buckets, towels and detailing products. I roll it around the car as I work and it saves a lot of back-and-forth trips and saves my back too.

I can vacume/clean/condition the interior, wash the car and wheels, dry the car and dress the tires in about an hour or less. Since we have a long drive-way, the cart saves a lot of time and energy for me. I also use the cart for unloading the wife's SUV after shopping at Costco.

[Gig103]

All this talk of ONR ... if you need to stock up, DetailedImage (a forum sponsor) has ONR on sale for the month of November.

32oz for $11.69, or 128oz (1 gallon) for $29.99 (Click for product link)

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by Gig103

All this talk of ONR ... if you need to stock up, DetailedImage (a forum sponsor) has ONR on sale for the month of November.

32oz for $11.69, or 128oz (1 gallon) for $29.99 (Click for product link)

Indeed. The 128oz for $30 is a steal, and will last you forever if you're just washing your own car.

[Greeney]

How does ONR work? I'm thinking of picking some up.

[tofu-]

tried ONR last weekend. didn't like it. i used a lot in my water (2oz per gallon), and it didn't seem to glide over the paint like my zaino car wash.

maybe it's because i didn't use cold water? it barely foamed up and almost felt like i was just cleaning my car with straight water.

[pander5]

Originally Posted by tofu-

tried ONR last weekend. didn't like it. i used a lot in my water (2oz per gallon), and it didn't seem to glide over the paint like my zaino car wash.

maybe it's because i didn't use cold water? it barely foamed up and almost felt like i was just cleaning my car with straight water.

I use about 2 oz. for about 3 gallons of water. My water temp is whatever comes out of the hose so I'm not sure about the temp making a difference. It will not foam up like a traditional soap you're used to and, I agree, it does seem like your washing with slightly blue tinted water. It's a chemical wash meant to break the surface tension between the dirt and your paint.

[ibimmer954]

Originally Posted by tofu-

tried ONR last weekend. didn't like it. i used a lot in my water (2oz per gallon), and it didn't seem to glide over the paint like my zaino car wash.

maybe it's because i didn't use cold water? it barely foamed up and almost felt like i was just cleaning my car with straight water.

Yes, that's how it works. No foaming, no rinsing. If it were to foam, you'd have to rinse it off. ONR is not soap.

Use a soft grout sponge. Get a healthy amount of liquid in it, put the sponge over the car and squeeze a little to get some of the liquid on the car. Then lightly moved the sponge over the car to get the sponge to pick up the dirt.

If you'd like, use a two-bucket method and rinse the sponge in a separate rinse bucket. Personally, I don't do that. But I understand that others are more paranoid.

Once you are happy that enough dirt is removed, lightly dry the area you just cleaned. Overall, I clean in areas, then dry. First, the hood and front. Then: the roof, the trunk and back, the sides.

You will find videos of people using ONR on YouTube if you look. It's a different method than a standard car wash.

I use a baby medicine syringe to measure the ONR. Two tablespoons in about 2 gallons of water. If you'd like, make a solution of ONR quick cleaner and pre-treat an area if there's extra dirt. 2 tablespoons per 32 fl oz bottle with distilled water.