Final Rinse with Distilled Water

[davelong9050]

I know this is not the forum for a Car Washing Tip BUT there are a few guys on this thread who are VERY particular about keeping the appearance of their A6/S6/A7/S7/RS7 PERFECT so I thought I would pass this on.

This is THE solution to not only keeping your car looking great but over time keeping the residual white crusty crap from building up, particularly on black surfaces, plus it's also a huge time saver.

I use a "10 Gallon Water Distiller" (with a small pump and hose) for the final rinse after washing my car. This is not a water filter or soft water (which do not capture all the minerals) it's the real deal.....100% pure water.

Because distilled water has "zero minerals", after you rinse the car you are done......period. Pull the car back in the garage and let it drip dry.

Although it's hard to walk away from a soaking wet car (the first time) when you come back a few hours later....it will be spotless and dry- glass and paint.

Not only does it require less work but you will NEVER get white mineral build up.

[AY6NYC]

wow impressive, never heard of this.. no drying? sounds amazing

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[gk1]

Nice idea. Cost more or less than this?
http://www.autogeek.net/cr-spotless-water-systems.html

[RAF_S7]

I collect the rainwater off the house roof for my final rinse.

I have a water diverter connected to the main rainwater down pipe pipe which feeds two 50 gallon storage tanks.

The tanks are interconnected, with a pond pump submerged in one that I use to pump water to my power washer. This works well in the UK, except for the couple of weeks we have sunshine and no rain!

I still use a microfibre to dry the car though

[Bassler]

Waterless wash... no rinsing

[PKmode]

OP: Interesting method and nice solution.

Waterless is not ideal in my opinion unless you like your paint looking like "before" shot of a polishing tutorial. It is great if you want to keep a spray bottle in the car for getting off some bird crap or other surface contaminants that might be acidic. That is it's real benefit for me. Even then, you have to be careful not to rub anything abrasive into your paint.

I do like the rinseless method but I pressure wash the entire car before touching the paint. The rinseless method has been great for me as far as water spots. Since you wash and dry each panel, it ensures there are no water beads left on the paint long enough to leave a mark. Even the rinseless method is only if you're car is kept pretty clean. I wash my car at least once a week so nothing has a chance to build up so it works well in my case.

[davelong9050]

Nice idea. Cost more or less than this?
http://www.autogeek.net/cr-spotless-water-systems.html

$1,500.

I have never compared other water purification systems to the unit I use but ANY minerals whatsoever will leave a spot. A "true" distiller produces pure water by evaporation which takes longer (20 hours for 10 gallons) and costs more- I use about 5 gallons per rinse. It's hard to believe that you can filter 100% of the minerals out of water with a simple filter, however this would be a good research topic.

[durallymax]

You can, it's not a simple filter it's a deionizer, makes similar water but through ion exchange versus distillation. The two waters are used interchangeably for many things.

[Bassler]

OP: Interesting method and nice solution.

Waterless is not ideal in my opinion unless you like your paint looking like "before" shot of a polishing tutorial. It is great if you want to keep a spray bottle in the car for getting off some bird crap or other surface contaminants that might be acidic. That is it's real benefit for me. Even then, you have to be careful not to rub anything abrasive into your paint.

I do like the rinseless method but I pressure wash the entire car before touching the paint. The rinseless method has been great for me as far as water spots. Since you wash and dry each panel, it ensures there are no water beads left on the paint long enough to leave a mark. Even the rinseless method is only if you're car is kept pretty clean. I wash my car at least once a week so nothing has a chance to build up so it works well in my case.

So yes, i really meant rinseless, sorry... particularly with a coated car (all of ours are), being able to use 2 gallons of water with super lubricious wash solution and a handful of microfibers to wash a car is fantastic. i do use waterless and/or speed shine to take care of bird bombs and such.

[BMcD-RS4]

I have been using the CR Spotless system for over 10 years. Works like a champ provided you change out the resin once a year. I also use a Master Blaster high powered, heated blower to finish it off. No towel of any sort is used, except for door jambs, etc. I got mine from Costco online.

[TD_05]

I have been using the CR Spotless system for over 10 years. Works like a champ provided you change out the resin once a year. I also use a Master Blaster high powered, heated blower to finish it off. No towel of any sort is used, except for door jambs, etc. I got mine from Costco online.

On detailing sites I see replacement cartridges and granular resin available. I presume both are "refresh" options. Is that accurate? Which do you recommend?

[Avned]

I have been using the CR Spotless system for over 10 years. Works like a champ provided you change out the resin once a year. I also use a Master Blaster high powered, heated blower to finish it off. No towel of any sort is used, except for door jambs, etc. I got mine from Costco online.

I've been highly considering this. The water in Las Vegas is so hard and causes so many water spots that makes washing the car such a bear.

[durallymax]

On detailing sites I see replacement cartridges and granular resin available. I presume both are "refresh" options. Is that accurate? Which do you recommend?

The cartridges are re-useable, buying the resin only will save you money. Just refill the cartridges. You can buy pre-filled cartridges if you prefer.

[Ze_Nardo6]

Water is really hard where I live. I have an intense water softener for my house water and I will assume that makes no difference to the hose water that touches my car.

I am very into detailing my car(s). Double bucket method and the works, just never thought about the water component. Is this type of setup worth the money? Anyone care to shed more light on these setups to a layman?

[davelong9050]

Water is really hard where I live. I have an intense water softener for my house water and I will assume that makes no difference to the hose water that touches my car.

I am very into detailing my car(s). Double bucket method and the works, just never thought about the water component. Is this type of setup worth the money? Anyone care to shed more light on these setups to a layman?

"Worth the money" is relative to how much you want to spend on maintaining the look of your car. As this thread points out there are several ways to get softer water BUT soft water will over time make a difference. My car is the perfect example.