Washing a car?

Rev Jules · 3rd February 2021, 08:19

Do some of you on here wash their car with rain water rather that from a tap.

Rev.

another_clean_sheet · 3rd February 2021, 08:53

If you live in a hard water area and particularly if your car is black or a very dark colour it is very easy to leave water marks on the body.

coolguy · 3rd February 2021, 11:28

I try not to wash it at all - waterless wax, developed in California where car washing is not allowed, is so quick and easy.

chris75 · 3rd February 2021, 11:36

The rain round here is very dirty

At least the tap water is clean , plus the water company pays my pension

macafee2 · 3rd February 2021, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolguy

I try not to wash it at all - waterless wax, developed in California where car washing is not allowed, is so quick and easy.

I cannot get it out of my head that you wipe a car over and any grit gets wiped over the paint causing scratches. I have to hose my car down first or rarely just lots of water and regular rinsing of sponge. Don't wash below the bottom door line then above the bottom door line.

macafee2

AndyN01 · 3rd February 2021, 12:44

Hi Rev.

The short answer is yes you can but I don't bother

.

Rain water is "soft" so doesn't leave any marks.

Tamworth water is quite hard but I still don't get marks. If, however, you live in an area that destroys kettles etc. by furring them up than it's something to consider. The local water authority will be able to tell you how "hard" your water is and may even have it on their web site.

You can even get pressure washers that will draw from a water butt - I think something like a Karcher K4 will do that.

I'm with macafee2 on the waterless wash thing. Everything makes sense to me if you start off by getting as much muck off before going anywhere need the paintwork even with a microfibre wash mitt. That could be a pressure wash off with water to get the really muddy stuff off followed by snow foam that's pressure washed off and then a nice foaming, slick shampoo with a wash mitt that can be just rinsed off with a hose.

But, as always, each to their own.

Take care.

coolguy · 3rd February 2021, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

I cannot get it out of my head that you wipe a car over and any grit gets wiped over the paint causing scratches. I have to hose my car down first or rarely just lots of water and regular rinsing of sponge. Don't wash below the bottom door line then above the bottom door line.

macafee2

I know - I feared the "grit" at first, BUT so long as you use the best quality microfibre cloth it not only does not scratch, but fills in swirls as well. I have tried a number over the last 6 years - all work well, with some you pay for the brand name and others are easier. I can cover a 75/ZT (paintwork only) in under 15 minutes, and it beads for 6-8 weeks, although I do them more frequently in good weather.

SCP440 · 3rd February 2021, 17:02

I used to have a black car about 10 years ago, probably the biggest mistake in car purchases I have ever made.

You could wash it twice a day and it looked dirty by the time you had finished. I had it mopped and polished and it looked amazing when I got it back but within a couple of days it started looking unloved again.

Lancpudn · 3rd February 2021, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev Jules

Do some of you on here wash their car with rain water rather that from a tap.

Rev.

I always thought you got your butler to wash your car

FLYING BANANA · 3rd February 2021, 19:45

I’ve been known to wash the car, Banana, in the rain. I believe that Tim Burgess may have a photo of me taken up in Helensburgh a few years back.

3rd February 2021, 08:19	#1
Rev Jules This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer+ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Radcliffe on Trent Posts: 10,711 Thanks: 7,308 Thanked 3,929 Times in 2,051 Posts	Washing a car? Do some of you on here wash their car with rain water rather that from a tap. Rev.

3rd February 2021, 11:36	#4
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,811 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	The rain round here is very dirty At least the tap water is clean , plus the water company pays my pension __________________ Who said it was simples ?

3rd February 2021, 12:44	#6
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,070 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Hi Rev. The short answer is yes you can but I don't bother . Rain water is "soft" so doesn't leave any marks. Tamworth water is quite hard but I still don't get marks. If, however, you live in an area that destroys kettles etc. by furring them up than it's something to consider. The local water authority will be able to tell you how "hard" your water is and may even have it on their web site. You can even get pressure washers that will draw from a water butt - I think something like a Karcher K4 will do that. I'm with macafee2 on the waterless wash thing. Everything makes sense to me if you start off by getting as much muck off before going anywhere need the paintwork even with a microfibre wash mitt. That could be a pressure wash off with water to get the really muddy stuff off followed by snow foam that's pressure washed off and then a nice foaming, slick shampoo with a wash mitt that can be just rinsed off with a hose. But, as always, each to their own. Take care. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ Last edited by AndyN01; 3rd February 2021 at 12:48..

3rd February 2021, 19:45	#10
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT 1.8t+. No.3 of 4 in Sunspot Yellow & Ford Fiesta in Black. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rattler Farm Posts: 22,563 Thanks: 9,270 Thanked 15,645 Times in 6,806 Posts	I’ve been known to wash the car, Banana, in the rain. I believe that Tim Burgess may have a photo of me taken up in Helensburgh a few years back. __________________ 233,431. That’s our second meet done, no.3 next weekend. onen hag oll

3rd February 2021, 08:53	#2
another_clean_sheet Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTI Tourer Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Great Bardfield, nr Braintree Posts: 1,414 Thanks: 303 Thanked 436 Times in 317 Posts	If you live in a hard water area and particularly if your car is black or a very dark colour it is very easy to leave water marks on the body.

3rd February 2021, 11:28	#3
coolguy Coolguy Rover 75 CDT Tourer Auto, Rover 75 2.0 Connoisseur Auto, MG ZT 2.5 Auto and MG ZT Cdti Auto (Monogra Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Finedon Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 933 Thanked 638 Times in 430 Posts	I try not to wash it at all - waterless wax, developed in California where car washing is not allowed, is so quick and easy.

3rd February 2021, 17:02	#8
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	I used to have a black car about 10 years ago, probably the biggest mistake in car purchases I have ever made. You could wash it twice a day and it looked dirty by the time you had finished. I had it mopped and polished and it looked amazing when I got it back but within a couple of days it started looking unloved again.