Groit's was advertising a special on a waterless wash in the last few Panoramas, as well. I used a quick detailer from Ultima and one from Mequiar's that I liked.

 

I hear that the Concours guys wash *their* cars with Evian

 

The Griot's stuff works pretty well as long as the car isn't really dirty. You really need water to float off the grit or else you're going to get scratches. A good coat of wax will help protect the finsh so keep it waxed. Around here you could still use do it youself, coin-op washes during a drought. Bring your own bucket, soap,etc. but use the coin-op wash for the rinse.

 

ditto Optimum, love the stuff, got me through a long drought here in NC and
there are times even when we don't have restrictions I use it for light detail in the garage (you can use it as a detail spray with a different water ratio). I'll Optimum a panel like the roof and then clay,random orbital polish and wax

 

LOL, most of them never actually wash the car, they are never driven, or any where that can get dirty. Washing it wold actually make it more dirty.

I've got both the Optimum & Griot's stuff. The optimum is great for spot cleaning, wheel cleaning, & a general detail spray. The Griot's stuff is a dam good car wash. But you can't do it in the sun, or it will streak, & dry on the car. It will work for a moderately dirty car. The key is to use a very plush M/F towel & turn it over a lot. Usually on a moderately dirty car, it takes 4 towels.

Here is what you do....
Drive to the car wash.
Use the high pressure spray (water only)to get all the heavy stuff off.
Use Griot's/Optimum to clean the car
Dry it all off nice with a quality MF towel

Enjoy the rest of your day.

 

I owned a full service car wash 10 years ago. The touchless carwashes use very chemical to compensate for the lack of aggitation. These chemicals can be harmfull to the paint if used often without maintainance.

The brushless (these use soft cloths) are much better. If it;s a high quality location with a modern machine it shoiuld be less abrasive then hand washing. The cloths that are used have alot of technology in them.

If you keep you car waxed regularly, you shouldn't have a problem going to a good car wash.

 

No way my car is going through a car wash. I think I'd just pay the fine if it came to it...

 

Hand wash ONLY with the 2 bucket method and a few microfiber mitts. Soap in one bucket, plain water in the 2nd. Dip in soap, wash a panel, rinse in clean water bucket, repeat.

A considerable amount of damage is done in the drying process and most people overlook this! Use the hose with no nozzle on it. Flow the water over the panels of the car with as little splash as possible. Presuming you have a decent wax job it will sheet off nicely leaving very little water to dry up with a waffle weave microfiber but it must be CLEAN!


EDIT: Forgot to add that I'm in East Central Florida and have not had anyone say anything. I've even had the water patrol ride by while I was washing. Sure, it may not be the most ecological thing to do, but my car is shiny and clean
I detailed my fathers black car for him since he's getting a little older and he has taken it to these auto car washes to "keep it up". It looks like I never took a buffer to it. scratch city! Its frustrating!

 

Planning to wash my car in the garage with the door closed.

Anybody asks, "my washing machine broke".

-1 on the touchless. Worst thing you could do.

 

As reccomended by my body shop friend, try using a "california" duster and a mist and wipe/shine product like Meguire's Final Inspection. It works for me between washes, etc.
Phil

 

sean993....sorry for delay....out of town. i race a sports 2000 with the scca.

https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...urs-avatar.jpg

marc

 

Check out this demo video using Optimum on an F430:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...00996428313622

 

East Coasters and SoCal: send us your sunshine and we'll send you all the damn water you want.

 

That looks like alot of fun, what tracks in Florida does this class compete?

 

Same here for the Optimum no rinse. I tried it after reading about it here in the Concourse section and I don't think I've used soap and water on the 993 in over a year. I use it for a quick cleaning after driving in the rain and as a lube for claying. Good stuff.