[08HybridOK]

OK, I know you're thinking what idiot dosn't know how to do this simple task! So it not that simple. My well water is very hard! Kinda like the old flinstoneish commercial of rocks pouring out of the sink. So that makes washing at home impossible. Did it once, never gonna do it again!
So I normaly go thru a drive thru wash with the brushes and stuff, but there's always spots missed. and I think I want to give her a good ol' carnuba coat. But obviously want a clean surface first.
Should I try a 3 step system like Meguiers(?) any other thoughts, tips, ideas?
Thx!

 

[stone]

With the brushes? I go to the detailers and they use a spray wash only. No brushes at all. Hope your'e not offended, but i intentionally steer clear of brush car wash places. Unfortunately with my previous cars, i learnt the hard way that these brushes, were putting swirl marks on my duco and glass. For some reason my front windows, had excessive brush marks on the glass.

The same brush pattern on duco, was also on the glass. With my newer cars, i only frequented the spray wash places. Found out that the swirl mark, from brushes dilemma was eliminated. If you are comfortable with brush washes, that is your preference. I feel dubious and hesitant about those brush wash set ups. This is why i use a spray wash only. I make sure that it is given a chamois dry after. With the spray wash only, and the chamois procedure after my swirl mark problems are non existent.

 

[Squishy]

This might help you: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=1408&view=unread#p41496

It softens the water out of your garden hose.

 

[prowler]

1) My well water is very hard! Kinda like the old flinstoneish commercial of rocks pouring out of the sink. So that makes washing at home impossible.

2) So I normaly go thru a drive thru wash with the brushes and stuff, . . . .

3) and I think I want to give her a good ol' carnuba coat.

4) Should I try a 3 step system like Meguiers(?) any other thoughts, tips, ideas?

1) Pick up a gallon of distilled water (or fill a gallon jug somewhere with acceptable water) and it will give you two sessions of QEW as below (ALL I use on the prowler for months at a time over the winter)

2) Either you don't care about swirls, or you should NEVER use a carwash with brushes (I will take the prowler to a touchless carwash, the ones with a bunch of pressure-washer sprays).

3) There are much better choices than carnauba for protection (although some people like its color-changing "warm" shine, but you're still better off with a good protectant under it).

4) The sequence is WASH - CLAY - POLISH - PROTECT. Wash with QEW. Clay with any brand (Mother's is most obtainable) - if you've never used it, you'll be amazed at all the crud it removes. Polish with a dual-action random-orbital polisher with foam pads (preferably Porter-Cable) if you're fanatical about eliminating swirls. Finish with a protectant, Meguiars is fine (preferably their professional line).

Here's the answer to your wash question:

Protect All Quick & Easy Wash (Car Wash)

http://www.protectall.com/qelg.htm

Quick & Easy Wash
Now you can get a superior wash and shine without soapy or harsh detergents with Protect All Quick & Easy Wash. Quick & Easy Wash leaves no streaks or spots. With one ounce of Quick & Easy Wash and only one gallon of water you can now wash any vehicle, anywhere it is parked. No rinsing means no mess and it can save hundreds of gallons of water. This minimal water requirement conserves a valuable and limited resource and prevents run-off contamination into ground water, lakes, bays and oceans.

NO Hose! NO Suds! NO Mess!
"I bought the Quick & Easy Wash. . .I have had it for about 2 or 3 months, but I didn't believe all the claims made on the bottle so I didn't use it until about 3 weeks ago (May 6, 2002). . .As in most campgrounds, they don't like you to wash your RV. So I tried your product out and it did everything you said it would do. Thank you very much."
-- Bob Brundage, OR

Cars, RVs, Motorcycles, Boats, Planes and more!
Quick & Easy Wash is a non-abrasive, anti-static, water repellent wash that leaves a super clean, sparkling shine with no streaks, spots or soapy film. Quick & Easy Wash is specially formulated to allow washing without rinsing. For all vehicles.

NO RINSE APPLICATION.
Use ½ ounce (1 capful) of Quick & Easy Wash in a bucket with two quarts water for an average size car. Use one ounce per gallon for larger vehicles. Quick & Easy Wash safely loosens and lifts dirt eliminating the need to rinse with water. Wash a section at a time then just chamois, towel or squeegee dry.

Quick & Easy Wash is non-abrasive. Remove oxidation, stains and heavy grime with a strong cleaner or polishing compound before using Quick & Easy Wash for the first time. Protect All FIBERGLASS Oxidation Remover & Color Restorer and heavy-duty Protect All Black Streak Cleaner and Degreaser are perfect for tackling oxidation, stains and heavy grime.

WASH ANYWHERE
Wash any vehicle wherever it is parked. This is especially important where water use is restricted. Because you don't need to rinse you can wash in your garage, apartment parking stall, campgrounds, parks, marinas and airplane tiedowns. Quick & Easy Wash is great for home and office, too.

FAQs
What is Quick & Easy Wash?
Quick & Easy Wash is a non-abrasive, anti-static, water repellent wash that replaces soapy detergent products and eliminates rinsing when washing vehicles and other surfaces. No hose is needed. Quick & Easy Wash conserves water.

How do I use Quick & Easy Wash?
Quick & Easy Wash is non-abrasive. Remove oxidation, stains and heavy grime with a strong cleaner or polishing compound before using Quick & Easy Wash the first time. From then on use 1/2 ounce (1 capful) of Quick & Easy Wash in a bucket with two quarts water for an average size car. Use one ounce per gallon for larger vehicles. Quick & Easy Wash safely loosens and lifts dirt eliminating the need to rinse with water. Wash a section at a time then just chamois, towel or squeegee dry! No hose! No suds! No mess!

Where can I use Quick & Easy Wash?
Anywhere! Wash any vehicle wherever it is parked. This is especially important where water use is restricted. Because you don't need to rinse you can wash in your garage, apartment parking stall, campgrounds, parks, marinas and airplane tie-downs. Quick & Easy Wash is great for home and office use, too.

 

[08HybridOK]

Thanks for all the input. I need to find this quick & easy stuff to try out!

I have tried the Mr Clean auto wash thingy, didn't help. But that was with straight hard water, I now have soft water access out side :yahoo: but haven't tried soft water with the auto wash, too cheap to buy more filters.

I also tried brushless car washes, but I guess my dirst is to caked on, it comes out a wet dirty suv I suppose those are good if you only get dusty, buy in the country I get dusty in 2 seconds, I also get muddy, bird crappy, sometime tree sap (not to often any more as I now have a garage :yahoo: ) and road grimey.

so for clay - polish - protect, I remember once having an all liquid 3 step system from Meguiars, don't recall exactly what it was, but would that be what to use, or is clay something different?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[arbs]

yeah nice post above.

Even with hard water, as long as its not too hot outside and you dry it off with a microfibre towel i wouldve thought you shouldnt get toooo much spotting?