[335isWhite]

I was looking at Autogeek.net for hand wash technique which is called waterless or dry wash.

I always take my car to Exxon Laser Wash (it is a touchless car wash). and afterward I dry rocker panels, bumpers and water spots with a microfiber towel, soft touch to avoid swirl marks. but recently I\'ve noticed that touchless carwash cannot remove all dirts. And since handwash is not possible in our apartment community, I want to learn about dry wash technique.

is there anyone with dry wash experience and how\'s the result on your car?

[dmatre]

Search for "Optimum No Rinse". You can find it on AutoGeek, and there are also how-to videos on You-Tube.

I use it when Charlotte is under water restrictions (last couple of summers), and in the dead of winter.

My previous car was a Mercedes C-class, in 030 black. The ONR worked extremely well, without scratching, and it leaves a very nice gloss after wiping dry.

I still use it on the new (white) 328i, and have been happy with the product.

[lucas.kent]

I second dmatre's post. ONR is a pretty darn good option. And if you do it right, it won't cause an issues with your paint. There are TONS of YouTube videos of people using ONR as well.

[Blubaron79]

What if there is a pound of salt on your car like mine has from driving the past 3 days?? That can't be safe to dry wash.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by 335isWhite

I was looking at Autogeek.net for hand wash technique which is called waterless or dry wash.

I always take my car to Exxon Laser Wash (it is a touchless car wash). and afterward I dry rocker panels, bumpers and water spots with a microfiber towel, soft touch to avoid swirl marks. but recently I\'ve noticed that touchless carwash cannot remove all dirts. And since handwash is not possible in our apartment community, I want to learn about dry wash technique.

is there anyone with dry wash experience and how\'s the result on your car?

Your technique is scratching with every pass of the drying cloth. Everyones "fine" or "works well" is different. Your car is white so you won't notice the swirls/scratches much but it is virtually impossible to wash a car safely without water. Where does the grime go? It has to be picked up off of the car. With dry wash it is loosened and then dragged along the car until the mitt is lifted, leaving scratches. Lots of guys love it but you won't find any reputable detailers using drywash technique. Depends on your definition of "fine".

[dmatre]

Don't knock it 'till you try it.

I was a skeptic as well, before I broke down and tried it.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by dmatre

Don't knock it 'till you try it.

I was a skeptic as well, before I broke down and tried it.

I was a skeptic...tried it on a corner of my trunk lid and bumper......then threw it out. You need water...and lots of it. To each his own.

[335isWhite]

Thank you guys for your great advices. I may look for a place to take my car and hand wash it.

[aarwilli]

This is the technique I use for my JB e92. Great Stuff! It is a little work though, usually about 1.5 hours to do the whole car. But worth it!

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-no-rinse-onr/

[335isWhite]

Originally Posted by aarwilli

This is the technique I use for my JB e92. Great Stuff! It is a little work though, usually about 1.5 hours to do the whole car. But worth it!

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-no-rinse-onr/

thanks a lotfor the link! I need to spend a weekend and do it!

[rkavanau]

I use ONR in the winter (Indiana) on my monaco blue e92, and my wife's black jeep. I actually just did them a couple days ago. My personal belief that any time you touch the paint, you are going to get scratches to some degree. With that said, this doesn't add any more than a normal wash would. Just be careful, pre-treat with a ONR/water mix in a spray bottle, clean you mitt often, and get a couple good waffle weave towels. Plus, I would rather get some minor imperfections than splatter my car with the harsh chemicals that any of the automatic washes use. If the cars are really dirty (salt, etc..), I will take it to one of the DIY bays and spray it off really good before bringing it home to use the ONR. This also makes cleaning the wheels easier. I just bring the sonax and a wheel brush with me to the bay. The pressure washer makes quick work of the brake dust.

[markinva]

+1 for ONR... it's amazing.... and there's plenty of water in the water bucket so it's not "dry" by any means.

[KnoxDawg]

Yet another vote for ONR. I've used it for years and have nothing but good things go say about it. I also agree with a previous post recommending pre-spraying the car with an ONR/water mix (you can find the ratio on ONR's website). Should help loosen grime before wiping it with your ONR solution-soaked mitt. The gloss this stuff leaves is awesome!...Looks freshly waxed, at least it does on Space Gray!

[ES_TRADER]

Get it if u want fine swirls and scratches

Everyone's tolerances are different when it comes to scratches. I once had a detailertry to talk me into letting him wash my car with the stuff. I told him to demo it first before I let him touch my car. He walks over to someone's black car and decides to wash the hood. Finishes the job, and was patting himself on the back and praising the product saying look perfect, clean and no scratches.

I walk over tilt my head at an angle and I see a plethora of swirls he just put into that car in the direction he was wiping. I walked away and said no thanks.

[drsilvershot]

I agree, find a hand car wash place and go from there, pony up the $$ and be done with it.

[DrSeuss99]

take it to a self serve car wash. water is recycled

[Detailed Image]

I know it was already linked but this article explains how to do a great job in detail Winter Washing with ONR. Ivan from LUSTR does a great job explaining his process and how to do it safely. If you have any questions you can respond at the bottom of the article or let me know.

Greg @ DI

[mvillezcas]

Any "waterless" wash can't be effective without a substantial amount of water. But by all means, if your standards aren't high, use waterless.

[eogintz]

Hi,

I have used ONR as well but prefer Adams Waterless Car Wash.

Adam's does not need to be mixed with water and is used right out of the bottle. Does a great job of cleaning paint with a nice gloss and is also excellent on dirty alloy wheels. I have not seen any scratches, marring etc. from this product. I found that ONR leaves more streaking than Adam's and did not do quite as well at cleaning wheel brake dust. In fact, I have been using more and more of Adam's products and none have let me down. Check their website if you need more info about what they offer.

Just my opinion.

Ed

[SHEEDI]

how about using Hudson NeverPump Bak-Pak DC Pump Sprayer - 12 Volt

Fill that sprayer with water. spray water on one section of the car "start from the top"
Use another spray bottle filled with washing soap+water, shake it well and spray over that section of the car, let it sit for a minute, spray clean water using Pump sprayer and wipe it off with MF towel.
spray water again, wipe it off with another clean MF towel.
Spray quick detailer and let it sit for a minutes and wipe it off.
Use clean MF towel to buff that section.
Hows that sounds??

I live in apartment building and this is what i am planning to do

[Ryballz]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

Get it if u want fine swirls and scratches

Everyone's tolerances are different when it comes to scratches. I once had a detailertry to talk me into letting him wash my car with the stuff. I told him to demo it first before I let him touch my car. He walks over to someone's black car and decides to wash the hood. Finishes the job, and was patting himself on the back and praising the product saying look perfect, clean and no scratches.

I walk over tilt my head at an angle and I see a plethora of swirls he just put into that car in the direction he was wiping. I walked away and said no thanks.

Unless the car was absolutely filthy, I've found that ONR is probably the safest technique that can be used to clean a car. Even touchless high pressure washes can leave scratches, ONR when used correctly should leave none.

[GJared]

I can second ONR. Took my 2011 335i xDrive through a touchless in CT and came out with a small scratch, probably from debris being blasted at it at high speeds. ONR seems to really do a great job, even with some significant dirt.