I really have no clue where to put this, in the write up section, exterior section, misc section, etc, so I'm gonna pop it in here and see what happens...its pretty "general" stuff.
I dont seem to have TOO much to offer to this community, so I figure I can tell you about one of the things I think that I'm good at, and knowledgeable about...The Waterless Carwash.
Washing a car is normally a pain in the butt, between the water usage, the materials, or the cost of a car wash. I'm here to tell you thats not how it has to be, and provided you keep a good waxed finish on your car maybe twice a year, you can get professional detailing results every time you wash.
Being a landscape Architecture student, and living in Las Vegas, I'm well aware of the issues regarding water usage, which is one reason I like my method. Another is that You can do this day or night, middle of winter or when it's 115 and the sun is blazing on your paint, it doesnt matter.
One shortcoming, however, is that if your car is straight up covered in dirt and mud and water spots, this iosnt the best method, however, it does work well if its been a week since you cleaned it, or if it rained out last night and you want a great shine in only a few minutes.
People have asked me about my waterless car wash before, when I've brought it up, so I figure this is a good time to explain it. Lets get started...
What you will need:
![Image]()
One Dirty Dodge Magnum - Not hard to come by during pollen season, especially if it rains...which it did the other day for the first time in a month.
Das a dirty ride!
![Image]()
![Image]()
Waterless Car Wash - I use a product called Poorboy's Spray and Wipe. This seems to be used by a LOT of pros, and it's absolutely great. As I said, can be used on a hot car, and it's even great for cleaning glass. The carwash is a lubricant, so as you wipe it prevents the dirt from scratching the car, keeping a great shine. I'm sure there are other similar products out there, but this is what I use, as I was advised to by several painters and detailers.
Glass Cleaner - I use the poorboys on all surafces, but next in line is Invisible glass...the best there is.
A few Clean Microfiber cloths - Buy a 24 pack for 10 bucks at costco..then wash them all together when they are dirty with regular detergent and a tiny pinch of Dawn dish soap and they will be like new forever.
Thats it...
Well, start out by folding your cloth in half, then half again, this will give you 8 surfaces to clean with, to maximize the area of the cloth. You wil lwash with the first surface until it becomes soiled, then turn it over to the next surface, then reverse 1 fold, wash with those 2, then reverse both folds and repeat, if you know what I mean...I generally use 2 cloths.
![Image]()
Take the carwash and give a little spritz, in a line. You can hardly see where I sprayed, and thats good. You only need a little, per wipe. As I said, the carwash is a lubricant, so as you wipe it prevents the dirt from scratching the car, keeping a great shine. Thats why these steps are important.
![Image]()
As you wipe, wipe with a small area of the cloth, thats because you will only wipe with this area once. After one or 2 swipes, it will be dirty, and if you continue to wash with it, the dirt in the cloth will have a negative effect. We need a clean area to pick up the dirt mixed with the lubricant.
![Image]()
As you see, it only dirtied a small area of the cloth. Now turn or move the dirty part of the cloth so it wont be the wiping surface next time.
I have turned it to the side, in my hand.
![Image]()
Ohhh, look at that sine, with only a tiny sprits of cleaner!
![Image]()
When the cloth looks like this, time to flip it over. As you can see, the other 7 surfaces of the cloth are super clean. Just keep rotating the dirty areas, then unfold and refold the cloth when a whole side is dirty. Keep with it, it'll be worth it.
![Image]()
Repeat these steps for the whole car, spritz, wipe, turn, spritz wipe turn. Make 1 sweep each spritz. If the car is really dirty, i'll go back and do it again, or if you see any streaks, GENTLY wipe over the area with a clean or slightly moistened (with cleaner) cloth and your finish will look perfect.
This took 15 minutes...
![Image]()
There's no set up, no clean up. Walk outside with a bottle and a cloth, "wash" it, then you're done and good for a week or until you get it dirty again!
Look at that shine!! Protects the waxjob and whatever you've done for long term detailing.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
It's perfect for a quick wash if you have 15 minutes and are bored, of if you roll up to a show and wanna do a perfect quick detail. Or after you wax it, etc. I keep all the goods in my trunk so if I ever go out with the girl from school or work, I roll up in a perfectly clean ride.
![Image]()
Cant beat it, in my opinion. Proven not to scratch, no wasted water, no buckets, no sponges, and its fast.
Thanks for listening! Hope some of you find this helpful, save yerself some cash... I've been washing my car with it for 6 months, and only filled that spray bottle once...there's still half a spray bottle left, and what's in the jug that I split with some buddies. No more 5 dollar car washes.
And remember...It's a desert out there...be water smart! (well, maybe thats only here. haha)
Happy washing. :drive:
I dont seem to have TOO much to offer to this community, so I figure I can tell you about one of the things I think that I'm good at, and knowledgeable about...The Waterless Carwash.
Washing a car is normally a pain in the butt, between the water usage, the materials, or the cost of a car wash. I'm here to tell you thats not how it has to be, and provided you keep a good waxed finish on your car maybe twice a year, you can get professional detailing results every time you wash.
Being a landscape Architecture student, and living in Las Vegas, I'm well aware of the issues regarding water usage, which is one reason I like my method. Another is that You can do this day or night, middle of winter or when it's 115 and the sun is blazing on your paint, it doesnt matter.
One shortcoming, however, is that if your car is straight up covered in dirt and mud and water spots, this iosnt the best method, however, it does work well if its been a week since you cleaned it, or if it rained out last night and you want a great shine in only a few minutes.
People have asked me about my waterless car wash before, when I've brought it up, so I figure this is a good time to explain it. Lets get started...
What you will need:
One Dirty Dodge Magnum - Not hard to come by during pollen season, especially if it rains...which it did the other day for the first time in a month.
Das a dirty ride!
Waterless Car Wash - I use a product called Poorboy's Spray and Wipe. This seems to be used by a LOT of pros, and it's absolutely great. As I said, can be used on a hot car, and it's even great for cleaning glass. The carwash is a lubricant, so as you wipe it prevents the dirt from scratching the car, keeping a great shine. I'm sure there are other similar products out there, but this is what I use, as I was advised to by several painters and detailers.
Glass Cleaner - I use the poorboys on all surafces, but next in line is Invisible glass...the best there is.
A few Clean Microfiber cloths - Buy a 24 pack for 10 bucks at costco..then wash them all together when they are dirty with regular detergent and a tiny pinch of Dawn dish soap and they will be like new forever.
Thats it...
Well, start out by folding your cloth in half, then half again, this will give you 8 surfaces to clean with, to maximize the area of the cloth. You wil lwash with the first surface until it becomes soiled, then turn it over to the next surface, then reverse 1 fold, wash with those 2, then reverse both folds and repeat, if you know what I mean...I generally use 2 cloths.
Take the carwash and give a little spritz, in a line. You can hardly see where I sprayed, and thats good. You only need a little, per wipe. As I said, the carwash is a lubricant, so as you wipe it prevents the dirt from scratching the car, keeping a great shine. Thats why these steps are important.
As you wipe, wipe with a small area of the cloth, thats because you will only wipe with this area once. After one or 2 swipes, it will be dirty, and if you continue to wash with it, the dirt in the cloth will have a negative effect. We need a clean area to pick up the dirt mixed with the lubricant.
As you see, it only dirtied a small area of the cloth. Now turn or move the dirty part of the cloth so it wont be the wiping surface next time.
I have turned it to the side, in my hand.
Ohhh, look at that sine, with only a tiny sprits of cleaner!
When the cloth looks like this, time to flip it over. As you can see, the other 7 surfaces of the cloth are super clean. Just keep rotating the dirty areas, then unfold and refold the cloth when a whole side is dirty. Keep with it, it'll be worth it.
Repeat these steps for the whole car, spritz, wipe, turn, spritz wipe turn. Make 1 sweep each spritz. If the car is really dirty, i'll go back and do it again, or if you see any streaks, GENTLY wipe over the area with a clean or slightly moistened (with cleaner) cloth and your finish will look perfect.
This took 15 minutes...
There's no set up, no clean up. Walk outside with a bottle and a cloth, "wash" it, then you're done and good for a week or until you get it dirty again!
Look at that shine!! Protects the waxjob and whatever you've done for long term detailing.
It's perfect for a quick wash if you have 15 minutes and are bored, of if you roll up to a show and wanna do a perfect quick detail. Or after you wax it, etc. I keep all the goods in my trunk so if I ever go out with the girl from school or work, I roll up in a perfectly clean ride.
Cant beat it, in my opinion. Proven not to scratch, no wasted water, no buckets, no sponges, and its fast.
Thanks for listening! Hope some of you find this helpful, save yerself some cash... I've been washing my car with it for 6 months, and only filled that spray bottle once...there's still half a spray bottle left, and what's in the jug that I split with some buddies. No more 5 dollar car washes.
And remember...It's a desert out there...be water smart! (well, maybe thats only here. haha)
Happy washing. :drive:
