Dealing with hard water when washing....

Pyranha · 06-18-2007, 11:36 AM

We just moved and the water at our new place is absurdly hard. It's so bad that the windows on the house that are in the line of fire for the irrigation system have layers of hard water spots that are almost completely opaque. Obviously this doesn't present an ideal environment for washing, which leads to my question.... how do you deal with this? Wash panel by panel and dry immediately? Clay after each wash to remove any spots? Anyone know of an outdoor water filter that our water hookup could be run through? Thanks for the help!

-C
Currently driving: 04 TL (black/black)
Waiting for: 07 e95 335i (Barbera/Cream) week 26 production

normtrum · 06-18-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyranha

We just moved and the water at our new place is absurdly hard. It's so bad that the windows on the house that are in the line of fire for the irrigation system have layers of hard water spots that are almost completely opaque. Obviously this doesn't present an ideal environment for washing, which leads to my question.... how do you deal with this? Wash panel by panel and dry immediately? Clay after each wash to remove any spots? Anyone know of an outdoor water filter that our water hookup could be run through? Thanks for the help!

-C
Currently driving: 04 TL (black/black)
Waiting for: 07 e95 335i (Barbera/Cream) week 26 production

I use this thing from Griot's. It works well, but I already need to change the filter after about 10 washes. The filter is almost the same price as the softener itself.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....1001&SKU=37244

hotrod2448 · 06-18-2007, 11:58 AM

You could try that Mr.Clean autowash thing and just use the rinse feature. That will probably add up be just as much as the Griot's thing though.

Maybe, look into a home water softener and plumb the hose into it.

e92sam · 06-19-2007, 03:09 PM

Bought one from Walmart last weekend in the RV isle of the automotive section. Its and inline filter between a faucet and a hose, cost $17. Should last for months.

ejazbmw · 06-19-2007, 04:48 PM

mr clean is pretty good its cheap to so once the filter is done after about 6-8 washes its only 5bucks for a new one....

JOYRIIDE1113 · 06-20-2007, 10:31 AM

I just bought a Crspotless system from costco... Its like a heavy duty version of the Mr.Clean that works awesome. I tried for the first time this morning. Washed it and just rinsed... left it to air dry with the mornign sun while I dried the door jams and such. Went inside to shwoer and get ready for work. When I came out, I had no spots whatsoever...

txusa03 · 06-20-2007, 10:52 AM

hm, interesting, I might investigate coz i hate washing and rushing to dry my car. I want it to be a relaxing event. Next time at walmart, i will look for mr clean.

LENELSA · 06-20-2007, 11:11 AM

I put one of these in my house a few years ago. The water main coming into the house goes into this. All I do is add potassium chloride tablets to it.
It's housed in my garage and has a spigot for a hose. I wash my motorcycle
and cars with it, no water marks.

http://www.geappliances.com/smartwat...fs.htm?GNSH45E

06-18-2007, 11:36 AM	#1
Pyranha Private 4 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Barbera/Creme Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0)	Dealing with hard water when washing.... We just moved and the water at our new place is absurdly hard. It's so bad that the windows on the house that are in the line of fire for the irrigation system have layers of hard water spots that are almost completely opaque. Obviously this doesn't present an ideal environment for washing, which leads to my question.... how do you deal with this? Wash panel by panel and dry immediately? Clay after each wash to remove any spots? Anyone know of an outdoor water filter that our water hookup could be run through? Thanks for the help! -C Currently driving: 04 TL (black/black) Waiting for: 07 e95 335i (Barbera/Cream) week 26 production
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-18-2007, 11:58 AM	#3
hotrod2448 grand poobah 254 Rep 2,253 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	You could try that Mr.Clean autowash thing and just use the rinse feature. That will probably add up be just as much as the Griot's thing though. Maybe, look into a home water softener and plumb the hose into it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2007, 03:09 PM	#4
e92sam Private First Class 2 Rep 115 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: southern california iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e92 [0.00]	Bought one from Walmart last weekend in the RV isle of the automotive section. Its and inline filter between a faucet and a hose, cost $17. Should last for months. __________________ Ordered: 4/1/07, Picked up 5/20, e92/328i, Deep Green, Saddle, Lt. Poplar, ZSP, ZPP, Step, Nav, Logic 7, CA, PRS, PDC, 6FL Ipod, Sirius
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2007, 04:48 PM	#5
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	mr clean is pretty good its cheap to so once the filter is done after about 6-8 washes its only 5bucks for a new one....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2007, 10:31 AM	#6
JOYRIIDE1113 Pirate 113 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: Detailing Shark Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Miami-Kendall iTrader: (1)	I just bought a Crspotless system from costco... Its like a heavy duty version of the Mr.Clean that works awesome. I tried for the first time this morning. Washed it and just rinsed... left it to air dry with the mornign sun while I dried the door jams and such. Went inside to shwoer and get ready for work. When I came out, I had no spots whatsoever...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2007, 10:52 AM	#7
txusa03 Major General 548 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	hm, interesting, I might investigate coz i hate washing and rushing to dry my car. I want it to be a relaxing event. Next time at walmart, i will look for mr clean. __________________ under construction!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2007, 11:11 AM	#8
LENELSA Private First Class 33 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2016 Audi A6 3.0 /BMW M240i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I put one of these in my house a few years ago. The water main coming into the house goes into this. All I do is add potassium chloride tablets to it. It's housed in my garage and has a spigot for a hose. I wash my motorcycle and cars with it, no water marks. http://www.geappliances.com/smartwat...fs.htm?GNSH45E
	Appreciate 0 Quote