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      04-22-2023, 04:54 PM   #1
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Spotless car wash DIY

Who has made their own spotless car wash system?
Let's see what you have and how you made it.
There are plenty out there to purchase but for a price.
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      04-25-2023, 08:16 AM   #2
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Can't believe no one has put together a system themselves. There are so many of you OCD about detailing and cleaning your cars. Do you just buy already made systems?
If so, who likes what?

Last edited by R BMW; 04-25-2023 at 10:35 AM.. Reason: apelling error
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      04-25-2023, 08:38 AM   #3
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There are plenty of videos on YouTube from guys who have purchased systems from Obsessed Garage or have built DIY systems based on the OG setup.
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      04-25-2023, 09:58 AM   #4
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This system is just a water filtration system from my quick googling? Why would I need another filtration system if I'm already using filtered water built into the house/outside faucet system?
And wtf is OSD?
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      04-25-2023, 10:35 AM   #5
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Opps spelling error.
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      04-25-2023, 10:59 AM   #6
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chhappy7 You may not if your whole house system supplies deoinized water with ~0 ppm of Total Dissolved Solids. The goal of the spotless wash systems is to provide such water for a final rinse after washing that does not leave water spots if left dry on the paint surface.
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      04-25-2023, 11:02 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R BMW View Post
Can't believe no one has put together a system themselves. There are so many of you OCD about detailing and cleaning your cars. Do you just buy already made systems?
If so, who likes what?
Maybe it's where I live but I've never had any bad waterspot issues. Like I'll always dry the car with my towel after the wash before it dries.
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      04-25-2023, 12:08 PM   #8
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This guy swears a mod gives him more gallons. It's an expensive game either way. His setup... without install cost is $410... before the mod. ... and that doesn't include flow-rate gauges.

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      04-25-2023, 12:40 PM   #9
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The only reason I haven't added this to my garage and washing equipment is due to the low number of gallons per resin set. I think it's around 300-400 gallons before you start seeing the PPM meter trigger indicating the resin needs changing. The replacement resin isn't cheap.

If the resin was much cheaper, I'd be all about it. Being able to wash your car and either let it air dry or not be worried about quickly getting the water off of your car is a nice QoL change. I'd do it for a detail shop, but I'm not convinced it's worth doing for a DIYer.

Last edited by B58-M340iX; 04-25-2023 at 01:01 PM..
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      04-25-2023, 12:54 PM   #10
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Ceramic coat
Air blower
99.9% spotless
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      04-25-2023, 12:55 PM   #11
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i rent a di tank that produces ~3000 gallons and the company swaps it out when needed so its hassle free. washing my cars out in the sun has never been easier.
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      04-25-2023, 01:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B58-M340iX View Post
The only reason I haven't added this to my garage and washing equipment is due to the low number of gallons per resin set. I think it's around 300-400 gallons before you start seeing the PPM meter trigger indicating the resin needs changing. The replacement resin isn't cheap.

If the resin was much cheaper, I'd be all about it. Being able to wash your car and either let it air dry or not be worried about quickly getting the water off of your car is a nice QoL change. I'd do it for a detail shop, but I'm not convinced it's worth doing for a DIYer.
^^ the cost of the resin and it's short life is what stops me too.

I have very hard well water. So much so the soap in the untreated hose water doesn't even foam.

I'm considering running a line from the water softener and using a Di system to remove the salt.

Question: Is there enough salt in softened water that I wouldn't want to wash the car w/it?
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      04-25-2023, 01:12 PM   #13
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[QUOTE=br438;30069525]This guy swears a mod gives him more gallons. It's an expensive game either way. His setup... without install cost is $410... before the mod. ... and that doesn't include flow-rate gauges.

...

He's essentially removing the media cartridge and modifying the water filter housing to function like a water softener. NEVER tighten like he shows. If you do good luck getting it off. If seated properly the rubber o-ring will seal it.

The CR Spotless thing is just two big blue filter housings.

https://www.amazon.com/Pentek-150233...75&sr=8-5&th=1

and some sort of cartridge to hold the media.

https://www.amazon.com/Pentek-WS-10-...2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

The only reason they use two is to create enough volume that your not replacing the media every week and to allow a higher flow rate.

You could also create a large system using a tank like this...

https://www.discountwatersofteners.c...s/resin-tanks/

This is better to fill...

https://www.discountwatersofteners.c.../media-funnel/


When you start pricing out the parts, tank, media, bypass valves, it adds up quickly and why the premade systems are so expensive.

Last edited by omasou; 04-25-2023 at 01:41 PM..
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      04-25-2023, 01:29 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1209582 View Post
i rent a di tank that produces ~3000 gallons and the company swaps it out when needed so its hassle free. washing my cars out in the sun has never been easier.
What's the cost of the rental?

This is what I was hoping for instead of having to replace resin beads and disposal.
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      04-25-2023, 01:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R BMW View Post
What's the cost of the rental?

This is what I was hoping for instead of having to replace resin beads and disposal.
Not sure if you saving any money. Really just paying for convenience. I couldn't find anyone locally near me.

https://puretecwater.com/deionized-water



Last edited by omasou; 04-25-2023 at 01:44 PM..
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      04-25-2023, 03:29 PM   #16
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Okay guys, try not to laugh too hard, the looks were the last thing on my mind.
Built from scrap lying around the shop but new 5 micron string filter, then the deionizer filter.

I'm only using it for the final rinse so this cartridge should last a long time.
The total disolved solids in my well water is about 250 ppm, after the deionizer it is 10 ppm which is just fine for cars and windows.
It's ugly but it works well, no more drying the car and no more swirls from the towels.
Probably spent $250 for all of it.
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