Waterless Car Washing | FerrariChat

Waterless Car Washing

Discussion in 'Australia' started by psw, Dec 25, 2020.

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  1. psw

    psw Formula 3

    Nov 17, 2005
    1,872
    AUSTRALIA
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    Peter
    Seasons greetings to all, has anyone used or know of waterless car washing products, the guy I bought the Sebring from never washed the car with water, opinions please if you've used any products or you think its a no no?
     
  2. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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    Jun 20, 2012
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    Patrick
    I think if the car lives indoors, and only has short drives on sunny days, it might be an option - of course, that's very bad for it mechanically. In all other cases, you can't beat water with detergent of some kind to get the dirt and road grime off, and a harsher solvent like petrol to shift the exhaust residue. I the car has some proprietary wax product on it, there will be a recommended wash to go with it. The key is to dry it off thoroughly when you've finished, including a short drive to 100kph to blow out the crevices.
     
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  3. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 25, 2009
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    AGREED!
     
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  4. psw

    psw Formula 3

    Nov 17, 2005
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    Peter
    I've always been an advocate for full car wash with water on all my cars past & present, however the Sebring is not likely to be driven in the rain unless caught out in it & the previous owner used it all the time, so its probably more likely it is dust & some road grime picked up when driven maybe monthly. If the car is really dirty I wouldn't consider waterless, I've been doing a lot of googling & it seems Meguiar's is the product if one is going to do it.
     
  5. FazzerPorscheman

    FazzerPorscheman F1 World Champ

    Jul 28, 2010
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    Piz Gloria
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    #5 FazzerPorscheman, Dec 25, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2020
    Pete I know you have asked about and are looking for waterless, however I bought one of these just to try and was so amazed with the results I bought one for Gezim too.

    We both swear by it.

    I can get refill bottles for $10 at Trade Tools. One bottle does 4 washes.

    Comes with Karcher fittings to the foamer, which you detach for easy transfer to the next bottle.

    It's obviously not waterless, however for a very quick wash without touching paint or wheels in any way apart from the foam itself, it works incredibly well.

    Apply in shade when cool. Allow to sit 3-4 minutes and then rinse off with water blaster on low.

    ** For a car not driven often, best to keep off brake rotors too.

    I haven't tried any other brand to be honest, I truly cannot believe what an amazing job this does.

    I also only dry my car with a petrol blower with a rated maximum capacity of 290 kmh. This output can also be reduced.

    I am careful around trim and mouldings, you would have to be extra careful.

    Anyway, works very well for me.

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  6. au-yt

    au-yt F1 Veteran
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    Aug 13, 2006
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    Burradoo... Actually
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    Was the car paint corrected when you bought the car? if it was it was due to the fine marring (scratches) on the paint from using a water less wash and a chamois.

    Properly restored cars of that era should be fine to us water, however only sparingly, I use a microfiber wash mitt and rinse it in a bucket after each area cleaned. and rinse off with a hose with straight flowing end fitting so the water comes of in sheets and leaves the car almost dry. and use microfiber cloths to dry off.
     
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  7. psw

    psw Formula 3

    Nov 17, 2005
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    I'm not sure if it was paint corrected, the paint is in exceptional condition, I suspect it was professionally detailed for the sale, I may experiment once if just slightly dusty with the Meguiar's product but will certainly use normal water & suds if it is anything beyond a little dust & very light dirt.

    I can't remember the product the previous owner used but he said he never used anything but microfiber clothes. If I have plenty of water in a wash I use a chamois to dry bulk off & then I use microfiber to finish with.
     
  8. Maranello550

    Maranello550 F1 World Champ
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    Aug 25, 2011
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    Snow foam is good Pete...That’s what I use for my Fcars...Ask Greg he’s normally overstocked after Ian’s visited...He might do you a good deal...:)
     
  9. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Ian always makes such a mess when he kums over

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  10. Maranello550

    Maranello550 F1 World Champ
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    Looks like Carl’s daily...:)
     
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  11. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Better out than in
     
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  12. IanB

    IanB F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 15, 2006
    15,624
    Sydney
    I avoid wet washing older cars whenever possible and I wouldn't use a chemical based cleaner like snow foam or Karcher on a non-galvanised car body. Most contain sodium salts. Whilst I agree that you should take a car for a drive after washing, the reality is that water and/or chemical residue will still be trapped under rubber window seals and can start eroding the paint. The front and rear screen seals on old Italian cars are particularly prone to this, but there are so many water traps on these cars that you don't want to be waving a hose over them.

    My Daytona and 575 were always dry washed and had no fine scratches. 1st step is to go over the car with a duster. California Car Duster is the best, from Amazon. Waxit.com.au supply Pinnacle Spray Wax which is very high in Carnauba content. I use this as a dry wash. Any good quality spray detailer will do the job but I really like the finish Pinnacle gives. Some people swear by Permanon, which gives a "wet" look that suits modern paint finishes. I use this on my dailys.

    When the car is properly dirty after a trip I will wet wash it then dry wash with Carnauba wax spray. I have a filter on my garden hose that removes chlorine from the water (see pic) and reduces "spotting" as the water dries. Highly recommended.

    Buy good quality micro fibre cloths (waxit.com.au) and keep them clean. Separately use and store top and lower panel cloths. If you're dry washing but have road spray on lower panels, go over them first with a microfibre cloth and a bucket of suds. Have another bucket with clean rinse water to remove grit from the cloth after each panel.

    Once your car is clean, absolutely do not drive it in the rain :D


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  13. IanB

    IanB F1 World Champ
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    Jun 15, 2006
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  14. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
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    Looks more like he is wiping the blood off the car from the last dead hooker he threw in the trunk.
     
  15. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Piper grew up too quick
     
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  16. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 7, 2006
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    I'm a great advocate for "Final inspection " products and a Microfiber cloth (used once and chucked )
     
  17. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Do you guys all live in the same flats? Nice..
     
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  18. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Housing commission
     
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  19. Maranello550

    Maranello550 F1 World Champ
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    Yeah..Blu Oyster Bar run from the basement level...Give Arsvin a free pass?...:)
     
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  20. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Well he in the CBD ,once was one in Collins st ...............so I'm told.
     
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  21. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Welfare grubs?
     
  22. psw

    psw Formula 3

    Nov 17, 2005
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    Thanks Ian, that sounds like a great procedure & similar to what the previous owner described, I’m going to try this out
     
  23. Solid State

    Solid State F1 Veteran
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    Feb 4, 2014
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    Maximus Decimus Meridius
    If you worry about fine scratches then touching the paint with a microfiber outside of washing is not for you. Spend thousands on a paint correction. Just a light touch with a dry finger leaves a scratch on modern Ferrari paint.
     
  24. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Whatever it takes to own a Ferrari
     
  25. marce

    marce Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2014
    432
    Australia
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    Marcel
    I dry the Italians with this dog hair drier, gets into all the nooks and stops me creating swirl art.
     

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