is softened water safe for car wash?

ontopofm · 07-06-2009, 11:58 PM

i just installed the water softener but dont know if it's safe for car wash. anyone has it and wash their car at home? thanks

lookylookitzadam · 07-07-2009, 12:43 AM

As far as I know it will be better for your car. The soft water is just tap water with hard minerals removed thus reducing the hard water spots left behind.

At least that is my understanding

Innovative Detailing · 07-07-2009, 12:51 AM

Definately better than regular tap water, even better would be R/O (reverse osmosis) water

Dave @ Innovative Detailing

ToadHollow · 07-07-2009, 01:31 AM

Yeah, good choice in adding a water softener. The best part of having soft water is that you will be 99% guaranteed to not have any waterspots show up on your cars due to water drying.

You'll also see an increase in longevity of your paint protectant depending on your washing technique.

ontopofm · 07-07-2009, 02:01 AM

wooohooo thanks guys

ToadHollow · 07-07-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontopofm

wooohooo thanks guys

Right on.

hasrice · 07-07-2009, 02:51 AM

Using filtered water as your rinse will give you great results. It'll make drying easier as you won't have to rush to prevent hard water spots from forming.

F32Fleet · 07-07-2009, 10:57 AM

If you added a water softner to your home, you're simply trading hard minerals for soft (ie, Sodium Cloride). Soft water is NOT the same as distilled water.

It's neither better or worse for your car.

ToadHollow · 07-08-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Babs

Not to get to off topic but what kinda lip is that? Hamann??

In the sig?? Yeah, it's the Hamann rep from Euro-Dyne. Currently I have the carbon fiber rep OEM aero lip.

sneaks · 07-08-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

If you added a water softner to your home, you're simply trading hard minerals for soft (ie, Sodium Cloride). Soft water is NOT the same as distilled water.

It's neither better or worse for your car.

Although Sodium Chloride (salt) is a consumabe in a water softening system, it is not present in the softened water. The salt solution is flushed out a seperate drain line when the softener regenerates.

Soft water still has a low dissolved mineral content, but is much better for washing car.

HighVoltage · 07-09-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaks

Although Sodium Chloride (salt) is a consumabe in a water softening system, it is not present in the softened water. The salt solution is flushed out a seperate drain line when the softener regenerates.

Soft water still has a low dissolved mineral content, but is much better for washing car.

...and there are saltless based water softeners. The key as mentioned in any softener is reducing the TDS (total dissolved solids).

MrDummy · 08-24-2009, 07:09 AM

Yeah it is a wash between the 2 types, no pun intended

BK · 08-24-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innovative Detailing

Definately better than regular tap water, even better would be R/O (reverse osmosis) water

Dave @ Innovative Detailing

+1 RO or DI is better, but softened water should make the filters last longer for a RO system or a DI system like the CR Spotless.

Gig103 · 08-24-2009, 01:45 PM

Good install choice! My wife and I are considering one, and I always ask the 'free estimate' people if they will be able to install a hose hookup for me.

Perfectus · 08-24-2009, 05:11 PM

I'm thinking of getting a water softener as well. How much did it run you?

ontopofm · 08-24-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectus

I'm thinking of getting a water softener as well. How much did it run you?

water softener + filter unit + filter + copper pipes + connectors run around $800

BK · 08-24-2009, 05:53 PM

^^ Seems low. If that's it for a whole house unit, I really need to look into installing one.

07-06-2009, 11:58 PM	#1
ontopofm Lieutenant Colonel 82 Rep 1,548 Posts Drives: stock Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	is softened water safe for car wash? i just installed the water softener but dont know if it's safe for car wash. anyone has it and wash their car at home? thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-07-2009, 12:43 AM	#2
lookylookitzadam Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	As far as I know it will be better for your car. The soft water is just tap water with hard minerals removed thus reducing the hard water spots left behind. At least that is my understanding
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2009, 12:51 AM	#3
Innovative Detailing Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 08 M3, 06 Denali, 53Ford F100 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	Definately better than regular tap water, even better would be R/O (reverse osmosis) water Dave @ Innovative Detailing
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2009, 01:31 AM	#4
ToadHollow Once upon a time ...... 283 Rep 5,048 Posts Drives: 2008 JB E92 - SOLD 5/2010 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Asti, Italy & Austin, Texas iTrader: (16) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [8.00]	Yeah, good choice in adding a water softener. The best part of having soft water is that you will be 99% guaranteed to not have any waterspots show up on your cars due to water drying. You'll also see an increase in longevity of your paint protectant depending on your washing technique. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2009, 02:01 AM	#5
ontopofm Lieutenant Colonel 82 Rep 1,548 Posts Drives: stock Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	wooohooo thanks guys
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2009, 02:51 AM	#7
hasrice MOAR POWERRRR 29 Rep 823 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: warehouse iTrader: (5)	Using filtered water as your rinse will give you great results. It'll make drying easier as you won't have to rush to prevent hard water spots from forming.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2009, 10:57 AM	#8
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3986 Rep 10,664 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	If you added a water softner to your home, you're simply trading hard minerals for soft (ie, Sodium Cloride). Soft water is NOT the same as distilled water. It's neither better or worse for your car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2009, 07:09 AM	#12
MrDummy →сяuisiиg iи му вмш← 73 Rep 1,642 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Gray 328i Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Unemployment Capitol of America iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 328i [0.00]	Yeah it is a wash between the 2 types, no pun intended __________________ SuPerMoD @ MassMonsterz.com A "Happy" Owner of a Metallic Space Gray 2010 BMW 328i ProGaMeR on the XboX 360
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2009, 01:45 PM	#14
Gig103 Major 78 Rep 1,324 Posts Drives: 2014 Tesla P85D Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (1)	Good install choice! My wife and I are considering one, and I always ask the 'free estimate' people if they will be able to install a hose hookup for me. __________________ Was: 2008 335xi sedan 6MT Black Sapphire Metallic Is: 2014 Tesla P85D (Blue Metallic) Wife's: 2013 Infiniti G37 S sedan 6MT, Black
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2009, 05:11 PM	#15
Perfectus Major 36 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: e92 335i/F10 528XI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NOVA/MD iTrader: (10)	I'm thinking of getting a water softener as well. How much did it run you? __________________ 2012 528XI Saphire Black Stock for now 2007 e92 335i - Monaco Blue Injen DCI w/ Cyba Scoop - M-Tech Rear - ///M3 Rear Lip Spoiler - ///M5 SMG Shift Knob & iDrive Knob - BMW Performance Hand Brake - BMWCCA Member
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2009, 05:53 PM	#17
BK Smiling politely 179 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	^^ Seems low. If that's it for a whole house unit, I really need to look into installing one. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote