rudy1024

Today is the first day of Drought Level 2 here and the practical application of the restrictions for me is car washing. At Level 2, you can still wash your car at home, but you have to bucket wash and the hose needs to be turned off when not in use. I already do that (watching people that waste water because they don't shut off the water when they aren't rinsing has always irked me). So, at this point, no affect. If the Drought Level increases to 3, you're not allowed to wash your car at home at all - you have to go to a commercial facility... which I am very reluctant to do. Has anyone tried the waterless car wash products (the one I've seen is Optimum No Rinse & Wash & Shine)? Does these products work as advertised and has anyone that has used it get good results (clean with no streaking or swirl marks, etc.)? Not panicking yet - but looking for an alternative if necessary.

Thanks,
Rudy

Dave!

Why not look around for a self-serve wash place where you get access to hoses? Bring a bucket, some soap and your own sponge (never know if the soap/sponge dispensers they have will have any grit in them) and get to washing.

Michael-Dallas

We have had your drought level 3 equivalent here in North Texas the past few years. I take my cars to a coin-op car wash where I use the equipment and chemicals there. It really saves me a ton of time.

If you don't want to use the equipment and chemicals at the coin-op carwash, then bring your bucket, soap, sponge mitts, and alot of change because you'll be just renting the high pressure water hose at that point.

///Michael

medtech

Rudy,

During the summer I never use water on my car.
Basically you use a California Car Duster to wipe down the car; then use a quick detail mist to get any dirt spots or poo; then follow w/ a NanoWax.

If you want specifics/product names then PM me.

Aaron

ajayabb

Here's a Photo of my car after washing it with Optimum No Rinse

Ubermensch

I just picked up some Optimum No Rinse last month. I've used it twice so far and I've been very impressed with it. It does take me a little longer than standard washing but that's probably because I'm being extra cautious with it until I feel more comfortable. A single 2 gallon bucket, a grit gaurd, a sponge, and some microfibers and you're all set to go. I live in an apartment building with a multilevel garage so this is really made my life easier...

pongobaz

+1 on Optimum No Rinse. I originally bought the stuff so I could use it to give my car a "sponge bath" during the cold winter months, but I'm using it more and more throughout the year...I think the car looks glossier using ONR vs a regular car shampoo ritual.

washington dc porsche

Turn your water off when not using the hose? You guys don't have nozzels on the west coast?

mtl911sc

Big +1 - Optimum No Rinse is the sh-t

rudy1024

We do have nozzles, but stopping the water from running is only as good as the washer at the end of the hose - and I don't keep a dedicated car wash hose. Point being, if you get caught having sheets of water coming of your driveway because the nozzle shut off only stopped the water at the nozzle end and not the spigot, you can get a ticket... Plus, the city passed out these little "water-ticket" things in the newspaper, so you too (or the neighbor you don't get along with) can report someone for violating the new rules... (silly, I know...)

Anyway, looks like a lot of thumbs up on the Optimum stuff - at $16/32 oz bottle, it's worth a shot.

Thanks!
Rudy

Edgy01

++ Optimum No Rinse Works well.

medtech

Sounds so good, I just ordered it myself.

washington dc porsche

Ohhh, it's a shortage of washers, I see.

cdodkin

LMAO!