rjshar

Note: Some of the before and after pics got mixed up and it is difficult to rearrange on the mobile app. Sorry for the confusion.

So, skeptical at first, I can now say I'm a believer in the no-rinse wash. Tired of waiting for 40 degree days so I could wash my car outside in the middle of the Midwestern winter, I ordered a bottle of Optimum No-Rinse Wash(ONR).

My car was disgustingly salty, like a mobile McDonald's french fry. I thought it was way too dirty to wash without running water. I read all the reviews online that said give it a blast at a touchless wash or a coin operated station, but I saw a few pointing to how it could be done without those prep steps.

After getting my ONR, I went to Home Depot and bought a 1 gallon pressurized sprayer for $10. I then filled two buckets with 2 gallons of nice warm water and the sprayer with one gallon. Initially I intended to have a rinse bucket, but after the first panel, I decided I'll just use one towel per section of the car.





First, I presoaked the subject panel with the pressurized sprayer full of a water/ONR mix, then I wiped gently with a microfiber as directed. I used a total of 6 microfiber towels for the car and am thoroughly impressed with the results. I heard no scratching noises, and see no scratches post wash.

I'll be doing this again!

In short, wash and dry one panel at a time, and take your time. Start to finish took me 45 minutes.

Before:











After:

F308gt4

I've been using ONR on my cars for years. Buy it by the gallon.

Like you, I put it in a half-gallon garden sprayer. Spray down the panels then wipe. It's nice to be able to clean your cars inside the garage.

I like the idea of using one microfiber towel per panel. May need to start doing that.

I follow up the wash with Optimum spray wax.

Quadcammer

right, I believe it got clean.

did you mar the surface though is the question.

rjshar

No, no marring, the surface is as glossy as it was a week ago when I waxed it. I think the fresh wax really helped out a lot, but my car is never without a sealant with a wax layered over it.

Quadcammer

glossy doesn't mean you didn't mar it.

Realistically, you need to look at the surface with an LED or similar to look for micro marring, swirls, etc.

Sneaky Pete

I have wanted to try this for sometime. Your post is confidence inspiring. btw....can I borrow the Kubota?

rjshar

Well, as you can see, it's under very decent lighting, but no microscope was taken to the car.

I'm happy with the results and have no qualms with them. I tend to have reasonably high standards, but you are welcome to have concourse level standards.

rjshar

Thanks! I held out for a long time, but am glad I finally gave it a try.

Maybe after I try ONR on it...

Dennis C

I've used Griot's waterless car wash for a couple of years. It's great stuff, and it looks very similar to No Rinse.

M BADGER

I started using ONR last Summer after I had my 6GT3 coated with CQuartz UK. It was the recommended product from the local detailing guru. I absolutely love it. It takes about 45 minutes to wash a car and the results are stunning every time.

3Series

I have a black car. I use the Griots version of no rinse, which was my first foray into this method. With real winters that include snow and salt, I typically take my car to a self wash and spray the car along with the under body with water and maybe soap from the sprayer.

I then go home and do the no rinse.

Thankfully, I only have to do this once or twice a season since the car typically sits in the garage when its nasty outside.

997_Toronto

I use the products from the Chemical Guys and their stuff is awesome. Especially in the winter when you rather not be out washing the car.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/

Buddhamonk

I used to believe in ONR. Didn't notice any effects on the clear coat initially but after a year, I could definitely see more swirls

I did a full paint correction 2 year ago (compound and polish) so I started with a pristine clear coat. First try with ONR I didn't seen any changes in the paint and I did use a clean microfiber towel (high quality) for each panel. Didn't see any issues until after a whole year of doing that. I repolished the car, went back to usual 2 buckets and rinse method and things are much better now. If you don't have the option to wash the car the regular way, this is a good alternative but you will need to do a full polish every 1 to 2 years. Unless you like swirls

snethss

Wouldn't there be someconcern of scratching the surface when you just wipe it down after the initial Spray?

vern1

You are always going to "scratch" the surface regardless of which method you use - if you touch it you will scratch it at some level. As Buddhamonk alludes to, its just a matter of time till you notice it and depends a lot on how **** you are about it....

I drive mine all through Toronto winters and in general do not wash/touch it from Nov to March or so when it warms up enough to do it properly outside.

The car gets filthy (can hardly tell its black sometimes) but I don't care that much what the car looks like in the winter and it will be dirty again within a day or two. That way when I wash it in the spring, it is relatively unscathed. Then I will do a minor correction (with something like Menzerna PO85) to make it glossy again. This way I never end up doing any major corrections/paint removal