Dry wash technique - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

335isWhite · 01-25-2012, 03:06 PM

I was looking at Autogeek.net for hand wash technique which is called waterless or dry wash.

I always take my car to Exxon Laser Wash (it is a touchless car wash). and afterward I dry rocker panels, bumpers and water spots with a microfiber towel, soft touch to avoid swirl marks. but recently I\'ve noticed that touchless carwash cannot remove all dirts. And since handwash is not possible in our apartment community, I want to learn about dry wash technique.

is there anyone with dry wash experience and how\'s the result on your car?

dmatre · 01-25-2012, 04:07 PM

Search for "Optimum No Rinse". You can find it on AutoGeek, and there are also how-to videos on You-Tube.

I use it when Charlotte is under water restrictions (last couple of summers), and in the dead of winter.

My previous car was a Mercedes C-class, in 030 black. The ONR worked extremely well, without scratching, and it leaves a very nice gloss after wiping dry.

I still use it on the new (white) 328i, and have been happy with the product.

lkw15 · 01-25-2012, 04:16 PM

I second dmatre's post. ONR is a pretty darn good option. And if you do it right, it won't cause an issues with your paint. There are TONS of YouTube videos of people using ONR as well.

Blubaron79 · 01-25-2012, 04:45 PM

What if there is a pound of salt on your car like mine has from driving the past 3 days?? That can't be safe to dry wash.

335BBS · 01-25-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335isWhite

I was looking at Autogeek.net for hand wash technique which is called waterless or dry wash.

I always take my car to Exxon Laser Wash (it is a touchless car wash). and afterward I dry rocker panels, bumpers and water spots with a microfiber towel, soft touch to avoid swirl marks. but recently I\'ve noticed that touchless carwash cannot remove all dirts. And since handwash is not possible in our apartment community, I want to learn about dry wash technique.

is there anyone with dry wash experience and how\'s the result on your car?

Your technique is scratching with every pass of the drying cloth. Everyones "fine" or "works well" is different. Your car is white so you won't notice the swirls/scratches much but it is virtually impossible to wash a car safely without water. Where does the grime go? It has to be picked up off of the car. With dry wash it is loosened and then dragged along the car until the mitt is lifted, leaving scratches. Lots of guys love it but you won't find any reputable detailers using drywash technique. Depends on your definition of "fine".

dmatre · 01-25-2012, 04:54 PM

Don't knock it 'till you try it.

I was a skeptic as well, before I broke down and tried it.

335BBS · 01-25-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmatre

Don't knock it 'till you try it.

I was a skeptic as well, before I broke down and tried it.

I was a skeptic...tried it on a corner of my trunk lid and bumper......then threw it out. You need water...and lots of it. To each his own.

335isWhite · 01-25-2012, 06:30 PM

Thank you guys for your great advices. I may look for a place to take my car and hand wash it.

aarwilli · 01-25-2012, 07:56 PM

This is the technique I use for my JB e92. Great Stuff! It is a little work though, usually about 1.5 hours to do the whole car. But worth it!

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-no-rinse-onr/

335isWhite · 01-25-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarwilli

This is the technique I use for my JB e92. Great Stuff! It is a little work though, usually about 1.5 hours to do the whole car. But worth it!

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-no-rinse-onr/

thanks a lotfor the link! I need to spend a weekend and do it!

rkavanau · 01-25-2012, 08:28 PM

I use ONR in the winter (Indiana) on my monaco blue e92, and my wife's black jeep. I actually just did them a couple days ago. My personal belief that any time you touch the paint, you are going to get scratches to some degree. With that said, this doesn't add any more than a normal wash would. Just be careful, pre-treat with a ONR/water mix in a spray bottle, clean you mitt often, and get a couple good waffle weave towels. Plus, I would rather get some minor imperfections than splatter my car with the harsh chemicals that any of the automatic washes use. If the cars are really dirty (salt, etc..), I will take it to one of the DIY bays and spray it off really good before bringing it home to use the ONR. This also makes cleaning the wheels easier. I just bring the sonax and a wheel brush with me to the bay. The pressure washer makes quick work of the brake dust.

markinva · 01-25-2012, 08:42 PM

+1 for ONR... it's amazing.... and there's plenty of water in the water bucket so it's not "dry" by any means.

KnoxDawg · 01-25-2012, 09:14 PM

Yet another vote for ONR. I've used it for years and have nothing but good things go say about it. I also agree with a previous post recommending pre-spraying the car with an ONR/water mix (you can find the ratio on ONR's website). Should help loosen grime before wiping it with your ONR solution-soaked mitt. The gloss this stuff leaves is awesome!...Looks freshly waxed, at least it does on Space Gray!

ES_TRADER · 01-25-2012, 10:30 PM

Get it if u want fine swirls and scratches

Everyone's tolerances are different when it comes to scratches. I once had a detailertry to talk me into letting him wash my car with the stuff. I told him to demo it first before I let him touch my car. He walks over to someone's black car and decides to wash the hood. Finishes the job, and was patting himself on the back and praising the product saying look perfect, clean and no scratches.

I walk over tilt my head at an angle and I see a plethora of swirls he just put into that car in the direction he was wiping. I walked away and said no thanks.

drsilvershot · 01-25-2012, 11:17 PM

I agree, find a hand car wash place and go from there, pony up the $$ and be done with it.

DrSeuss99 · 01-26-2012, 12:16 AM

take it to a self serve car wash. water is recycled

Detailed Image · 01-27-2012, 01:07 PM

I know it was already linked but this article explains how to do a great job in detail Winter Washing with ONR. Ivan from LUSTR does a great job explaining his process and how to do it safely. If you have any questions you can respond at the bottom of the article or let me know.

Greg @ DI

mvillezcas · 01-28-2012, 01:07 PM

Any "waterless" wash can't be effective without a substantial amount of water. But by all means, if your standards aren't high, use waterless.

eogintz · 02-01-2012, 12:41 PM

Hi,

I have used ONR as well but prefer Adams Waterless Car Wash.

Adam's does not need to be mixed with water and is used right out of the bottle. Does a great job of cleaning paint with a nice gloss and is also excellent on dirty alloy wheels. I have not seen any scratches, marring etc. from this product. I found that ONR leaves more streaking than Adam's and did not do quite as well at cleaning wheel brake dust. In fact, I have been using more and more of Adam's products and none have let me down. Check their website if you need more info about what they offer.

Just my opinion.

Ed

SHEEDI · 12-11-2012, 06:38 PM

how about using Hudson NeverPump Bak-Pak DC Pump Sprayer - 12 Volt

Fill that sprayer with water. spray water on one section of the car "start from the top"
Use another spray bottle filled with washing soap+water, shake it well and spray over that section of the car, let it sit for a minute, spray clean water using Pump sprayer and wipe it off with MF towel.
spray water again, wipe it off with another clean MF towel.
Spray quick detailer and let it sit for a minutes and wipe it off.
Use clean MF towel to buff that section.
Hows that sounds??

I live in apartment building and this is what i am planning to do

Ryballz · 12-12-2012, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

Get it if u want fine swirls and scratches

Everyone's tolerances are different when it comes to scratches. I once had a detailertry to talk me into letting him wash my car with the stuff. I told him to demo it first before I let him touch my car. He walks over to someone's black car and decides to wash the hood. Finishes the job, and was patting himself on the back and praising the product saying look perfect, clean and no scratches.

I walk over tilt my head at an angle and I see a plethora of swirls he just put into that car in the direction he was wiping. I walked away and said no thanks.

Unless the car was absolutely filthy, I've found that ONR is probably the safest technique that can be used to clean a car. Even touchless high pressure washes can leave scratches, ONR when used correctly should leave none.

GJared · 12-14-2012, 09:29 AM

I can second ONR. Took my 2011 335i xDrive through a touchless in CT and came out with a small scratch, probably from debris being blasted at it at high speeds. ONR seems to really do a great job, even with some significant dirt.

01-25-2012, 03:06 PM	#1
335isWhite Private Drives: 11 E93 335is 7spd DCT Join Date: May 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	Dry wash technique I was looking at Autogeek.net for hand wash technique which is called waterless or dry wash. I always take my car to Exxon Laser Wash (it is a touchless car wash). and afterward I dry rocker panels, bumpers and water spots with a microfiber towel, soft touch to avoid swirl marks. but recently I\'ve noticed that touchless carwash cannot remove all dirts. And since handwash is not possible in our apartment community, I want to learn about dry wash technique. is there anyone with dry wash experience and how\'s the result on your car? __________________
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01-25-2012, 04:45 PM	#4
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,368 iTrader: (0)	What if there is a pound of salt on your car like mine has from driving the past 3 days?? That can't be safe to dry wash. __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.

01-25-2012, 06:30 PM	#8
335isWhite Private Drives: 11 E93 335is 7spd DCT Join Date: May 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	Thank you guys for your great advices. I may look for a place to take my car and hand wash it. __________________

01-25-2012, 08:28 PM	#11
rkavanau Enlisted Member Drives: 2008 328xi E92 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 31 iTrader: (0)	I use ONR in the winter (Indiana) on my monaco blue e92, and my wife's black jeep. I actually just did them a couple days ago. My personal belief that any time you touch the paint, you are going to get scratches to some degree. With that said, this doesn't add any more than a normal wash would. Just be careful, pre-treat with a ONR/water mix in a spray bottle, clean you mitt often, and get a couple good waffle weave towels. Plus, I would rather get some minor imperfections than splatter my car with the harsh chemicals that any of the automatic washes use. If the cars are really dirty (salt, etc..), I will take it to one of the DIY bays and spray it off really good before bringing it home to use the ONR. This also makes cleaning the wheels easier. I just bring the sonax and a wheel brush with me to the bay. The pressure washer makes quick work of the brake dust. __________________ 2008 328xi E92, Monaco Blue/Saddle Brown, Premium/Cold Weather Pkg/i-drive Reflector delete, Aero Lip, LUX AE, K&N air filter

01-25-2012, 09:14 PM	#13
KnoxDawg First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 SG E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 343 iTrader: (3)	Yet another vote for ONR. I've used it for years and have nothing but good things go say about it. I also agree with a previous post recommending pre-spraying the car with an ONR/water mix (you can find the ratio on ONR's website). Should help loosen grime before wiping it with your ONR solution-soaked mitt. The gloss this stuff leaves is awesome!...Looks freshly waxed, at least it does on Space Gray! __________________ 2011 335i Coupe M-Sport: Space Gray / Black Leather / Dark Glacier / Perf Diffuser / iDrive + Nav / HK Sound / Aluminum Pedals / IS-style grilles / 19" style 230 wheels

01-25-2012, 04:07 PM	#2
dmatre Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 328i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 252 iTrader: (0)	Search for "Optimum No Rinse". You can find it on AutoGeek, and there are also how-to videos on You-Tube. I use it when Charlotte is under water restrictions (last couple of summers), and in the dead of winter. My previous car was a Mercedes C-class, in 030 black. The ONR worked extremely well, without scratching, and it leaves a very nice gloss after wiping dry. I still use it on the new (white) 328i, and have been happy with the product.

01-25-2012, 04:16 PM	#3
lkw15 Captain Drives: 2011 e90 328i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 933 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 e90 328 [5.00] 2006 330i - Sold (M ... [0.00] 2001 e39 M5 - Sold ... [5.00] 2006 - Sold (April ... [0.00] 2006 - Sold (May 20 ... [0.00]	I second dmatre's post. ONR is a pretty darn good option. And if you do it right, it won't cause an issues with your paint. There are TONS of YouTube videos of people using ONR as well.

01-25-2012, 04:54 PM	#6
dmatre Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 328i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 252 iTrader: (0)	Don't knock it 'till you try it. I was a skeptic as well, before I broke down and tried it.

01-25-2012, 07:56 PM	#9
aarwilli Second Lieutenant Drives: 08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 213 iTrader: (1)	This is the technique I use for my JB e92. Great Stuff! It is a little work though, usually about 1.5 hours to do the whole car. But worth it! http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-no-rinse-onr/

01-25-2012, 08:42 PM	#12
markinva Lieutenant Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boxster S Posts: 400 iTrader: (0)	+1 for ONR... it's amazing.... and there's plenty of water in the water bucket so it's not "dry" by any means.

01-25-2012, 10:30 PM	#14
ES_TRADER Colonel Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC Posts: 2,377 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2012 328i E92 [5.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [0.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [5.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	Get it if u want fine swirls and scratches Everyone's tolerances are different when it comes to scratches. I once had a detailertry to talk me into letting him wash my car with the stuff. I told him to demo it first before I let him touch my car. He walks over to someone's black car and decides to wash the hood. Finishes the job, and was patting himself on the back and praising the product saying look perfect, clean and no scratches. I walk over tilt my head at an angle and I see a plethora of swirls he just put into that car in the direction he was wiping. I walked away and said no thanks.

01-25-2012, 11:17 PM	#15
drsilvershot Second Lieutenant Drives: 08 335xi jet black Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: providence, ri Posts: 239 iTrader: (4)	I agree, find a hand car wash place and go from there, pony up the $$ and be done with it.

01-26-2012, 12:16 AM	#16
DrSeuss99 Enlisted Member Drives: PimpMobile Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Left Bank Posts: 41 iTrader: (0)	take it to a self serve car wash. water is recycled

01-27-2012, 01:07 PM	#17
Detailed Image BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Detailed by Detailed Image Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 2,988 iTrader: (5)	I know it was already linked but this article explains how to do a great job in detail Winter Washing with ONR. Ivan from LUSTR does a great job explaining his process and how to do it safely. If you have any questions you can respond at the bottom of the article or let me know. Greg @ DI __________________ Detailing Guide - SALE Items - FREE Product Give Away - Product Reviews Ask A Pro Detailer Blog - Twitter - Facebook

01-28-2012, 01:07 PM	#18
mvillezcas BMW SD Drives: 2007 BMW E92 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 218 iTrader: (2)	Any "waterless" wash can't be effective without a substantial amount of water. But by all means, if your standards aren't high, use waterless.

02-01-2012, 12:41 PM	#19
eogintz Private First Class Drives: 2008 328xi coupe Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: new jersey Posts: 118 iTrader: (0)	Hi, I have used ONR as well but prefer Adams Waterless Car Wash. Adam's does not need to be mixed with water and is used right out of the bottle. Does a great job of cleaning paint with a nice gloss and is also excellent on dirty alloy wheels. I have not seen any scratches, marring etc. from this product. I found that ONR leaves more streaking than Adam's and did not do quite as well at cleaning wheel brake dust. In fact, I have been using more and more of Adam's products and none have let me down. Check their website if you need more info about what they offer. Just my opinion. Ed

12-11-2012, 06:38 PM	#20
SHEEDI Captain Drives: 2009 335i - Sport PKG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 875 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [4.67]	how about using Hudson NeverPump Bak-Pak DC Pump Sprayer - 12 Volt Fill that sprayer with water. spray water on one section of the car "start from the top" Use another spray bottle filled with washing soap+water, shake it well and spray over that section of the car, let it sit for a minute, spray clean water using Pump sprayer and wipe it off with MF towel. spray water again, wipe it off with another clean MF towel. Spray quick detailer and let it sit for a minutes and wipe it off. Use clean MF towel to buff that section. Hows that sounds?? I live in apartment building and this is what i am planning to do Last edited by SHEEDI; 12-12-2012 at 08:32 AM.

12-14-2012, 09:29 AM	#22
GJared Registered Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan M Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Northeastern NJ Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	I can second ONR. Took my 2011 335i xDrive through a touchless in CT and came out with a small scratch, probably from debris being blasted at it at high speeds. ONR seems to really do a great job, even with some significant dirt.

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