RickBetterley

Just back from the PCA club race at Mosport; what a blast (no, I wasn't racing; I drove in the advanced DE and helped with the race, mostly by making photocopies).
Anyway - I saw a few racers doing what I assume was a quick detail of their race cars. I like my car clean and shiny, and get tired of the dirt after a couple of track days.
Since we are blessed with lots of water here in the Northeast, I haven't had to try waterless car detailing.
Is it really safe for the finish? The whole idea of not rinsing a car well before even approaching it with a wash mitt gives me the *******.
I'd love to know whether its OK to quick detail a car without rinsing it first (keeping in mind that this isn't a concours car, but it looks real nice and I want to keep it that way).
Thanks in advance

RL911

Yes, it's perfectly fine. I live in the NE and used Optimum no rinse wash and shine all last winter. All you need is a bucket of water with an oz of ONRWS and you are good to go.

TOGWT

+1 for ONR

RickBetterley

Thank you both. That sounds like an option.
I still have a question - what I was seeing used at the track was a spray bottle and wipes; I am guessing it was detailing spray?
Seems to me there would be lots of abrasion from grit using the spray and wipe method.
Thoughts?

ltc

ONR has been discussed (and IIRC even a YT video) in the RL Detailing/Car care forum in the past.

I bring a can of Stoner's Xenit, works great for removing rubber marks.

I've seen people using generous amounts of QD spray and microfibers as well, it just depends on the level of dirt you have on the car.

TOGWT

This is the best (and a safer option) to a QD spray as ONR contains polymer surfactants that lift/encapsulate harmful dirt / grime before removal

ONR dilution 8oz / gallon, in a spray bottle and a micro fibre towel

RickBetterley

Thanks, guys - Optimum No Rinse sounds like a good plan if I have access to water (a spigot), but then I can hook up a hose and wash as usual.
I suspect that there isn't any good solution that I can just spray on/wipe off (unless its TOGWT's above - diluted in a spray bottle and then wipe off, if I understand correctly).
Or am I misunderstanding how ONR is used?

RickBetterley

Wondering if anyone has used (or has an opinion on) this product:
EcoWash waterless car wash
Price: 9.99
* 24 oz waterless car wash (patent pending)
* cleans your entire vehicle without a hose
* promotes lustrous shine & beading
* 4 - 6 car washes per bottle
* non-toxic & phosphate-free
* saves up to 800 gallons of water per bottle


No more hose, bucket, or soapy mess. How? Simply spray your car with our waterless car wash formula, wipe clean and admire away. Eco Touch will leave your car — and your conscience — clean.

Directions:
1. Shake bottle well.
2. Spray on a microfiber towel and cool car surface.
3. Gently wipe and lift to pick up grime.
4. Quickly use a second dry towel and buff to shine.
For excessively soiled surfaces (mud or sand) pre-rinse first with water.
http://www.ecotouch.net/product_details.php?pid=19

Jlangmd

You can add a couple capfulls to a bucket of water and wash with a mitt then wipe dry...

...or add ONR to a spray bottle at the concentration equal to 8oz per gallon (1oz per half litre spray bottle) and use liberally with a thick mf towel as a QD.

Directions on the label. Works great. Great winter wash as well when the pipes are frozen.

Concours Auto Salon

We use Optimum No Rinse in our shop more then we use the pressure washer. When a car comes in we will No Rinse it prior to claying and polishing. Then No Rinse after the polishing and prior to sealing the finish. We do wheels and fender wells with the No Rinse as well.

TOGWT

Three bottle on the road / track detailing kit;

1. Optimum No Rinse (ONR) (for washing, paint, windows and wheel surfaces)
2. Iz einszett Cockpit Premium (interiors; leather and vinyl)
3. Z-CS Clear Seal (spray on, walk away shine)
Selection of micro fibre towels and a Corsa glass cleaning towel

Jlangmd

I just googled "Corsa glass cleaning towel", and TOGWT's above post is the number 3 hit. So not much closer to the answer.

Is there a web site?

TOGWT

http://www.corsaperf.com/CorsaCloth.aspx

Video - http://tinyurl.com/kncvta

mongrelcat

Optimum has a glass towel as well, not sure how it compares to the Corsa. I just ordered a bunch of Optimum product after reading various detailing forums [ http://www.autopia.org -- http://www.detailingworld.co.uk ] including Optimum's own forum... [ http://optimumforums.org] Very cool stuff.

Here's a link for the Optimum glass towel:
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/ogtowel.htm?li=2

Here's a link to some cool spray bottles, good for ONR diluted down as quick detailer for track use or to keep in the car for bird bombings...

http://www.sks-bottle.com/340c/fin110.html
http://www.sks-science.com/plastic-l...les-p-451.html

Too bad they only sell in a minimum qty. of 12, I may buy a package anyway and then resell what I don't need here or on the detailing forums.