:Nice:
Cant wait to see those pics! Ill be doin a nice detail job next week for alot of people. Spring break!!!! Gotta get $$$$$

 

Thanks. Almost bought a used 370Z (a gorgeous car, I admit, used to own a 260Z and an RX-7), but said naw, I'm too blue collar. Bought a 2012 Kona Blue 6 speed, but with the basic engine. Boy, I'm happy.
You mentioned ONR, but do you have a rec for regular car soap, such as McGuire's or Adams?
Thanks again, psulefty

 

hah!!! I had 370z (before Marilyn) and an RX7 tt too. Those were the days... now I'm all grown up. Yes, the 5.0 is a man's car, those others were kids toys

But anyways, on to topic.

I wanted to make a post about ONR too, to educate folks on it. It's revolutionary, and will redefine "hose and bucket washing", in terms of speed and safety.

As for regular car soap, yes, I have certain brands I use, because I feel they're more sudsy and slippery. Sudsy and slippery = less chance for marring. Personally, I use Pinnacle Extreme Brilliance, and DP Xtreme Foam (also for my foam gun, which is, another topic). But you can be fine with either Meguiar's or Adams. The purpose of the soap is literally lubricity, to remove surface dirt from the paint. Any soap should do just fine.

 

Do you think ONR (Optimum No Rinse for those that don't know) is basically the same thing as the Griot's Spray-On Car Wash Kit (http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...+wash+kit.do)? It sure looks cool but it's so different than what we're used to that I'm scared of using it.

 

Kyle,

I think the griots spray on wash kit, is essentially a detail spray on steroids. In other words, you spray liberally, then wipe off with 1 or 2 or more towels, right? This is way different from ONR. ONR and other "rinseless" products use a lot more water (via buckets of water) and a mitt... just like washing a car using a bucket, mitts, and a hose. Only difference is, the wash and rinse cycle is essentially one process, hence "No Rinse".

IMO, the ONR method is much safer than the spray wash. The spray wash and other detail sprays I don't like using on a dirty/dusty car, because again, you are rubbing dirt on the car. With ONR, and hose washing, you further reduce the risk of marring because ONR is super lubed, but also the wet mitt picks up the dust/dirt and remaining liquid slides the debris off.

Here's my caveat... I only use ONR is the dirt on my car is purely topical dust!!! Meaning, after a few drives, never been in rain, and it's dusty. That's when I use ONR. If it's been rained on? Bucket wash!!! Safer. Also, I use my foam gun prior to any regular wash (that again is another topic).

You know, I typed this much already, I might as well talk about how to PROPERLY use ONR. I will update the first post in this thread to talk about ONR use.

My method:

- 2 buckets
- at least 2 mitts
- grit guards
- onr, 4 capfuls, 2 in each bucket, fill with water to about 1/2.
- a LOT of MF (microfiber) towels
- detail spray (I use FK425 or CG V7)

Again, do this ONLY when dust is on paint!!!

Get your mitts and towels and spray ready. Make sure all mitts and towels are CLEEEEEAN.

Designate one bucket as the wash bucket, the other the rinse bucket.

Place mitt in wash bucket (wb). Rub against grit guard. Start on roof. Glide/drag mitt in straight lines, back to front. Don't go swirl happy like you're having a seizure. Never do that. Always straight lines. Emphasis on glide and drag the mitts. It is NOT necessary to push the mitt down on the paint...no no. That will marr/scratch. Let the weight of the watered down mitt do the work for you. Remember you're just removing DUST.

Once done, place mitt in rinse bucket (rb). Get detail spray and spray liberally on panel just washed. Get 1 mf towel, dry in straight lines again, with little to no pressure. Let the mf towel do the work. Turn over frequently. Get 2nd mf towel, and wipe dry to a high gloss. Stand back and admire

Remember that mitt you threw in the rb? You can either choose to reuse it in wb, but be sure to rub it against the grit guard well. OR you can choose to have a new mitt for every panel... it's a bit overkill, so I go between. I use a mitt for every 2-3 panels. There are 9 panels, so I use about 3 to 4 mitts. Up to you guys. Less chance to marr/scratch, better for me.

Anyways, repeat process on all remaining panels, and VOILA. btw, I use OLD and raggedy mitts to use ONR on my rims and tires and lower plastic trims.

I hope this process helps. I will try to make more updates to this post/thread with other secrets and techniques.

 

okay, I updated the 1st post with ONR tips.

Let me know what other topic you want me to expand on. Maybe mods should make this a sticky.

 

I've used ONR on cars that have been in the rain before, but you do need to be very careful. Part of it is having a good sealant/wax combo laid down. Also, pre-spraying the area to loosen up the dirt.

During the winter I've also used ONR, but I take it to a DIY car wash to spray off all the nasty salt and stuff before hand. As far as I can tell, I haven't introduced any swirls this way.

Hmmmmm, now that I think about it I think most of the defects in the paint came from that dang California Water Blade.

 

Yea ive had plenty of scratches from that thing. Cuz as its dragging the water across any dirt still tthere on the surface is being rubbed in, deeep

 

Agree, I tried it once and never again .

 

I will admit though it was cool at first, but once i saw scratches it was game over. Got rid of it in two ways. First, peel out on the blade, then the leftovers are firewood haha

 

Yeah, it worked pretty good.

 

Wow, just read this whole thread and I am just sick over what I thought I knew about keeping a car clean. I realized I have jacked up the finish on every car I have ever owned. Jeez, when I thought I was doing the nice finish justice, I was ruining it with chamois and water blades! So, I just bought the MF towels from Chemical Guys, they are having a sale right now! Thanks for all the great instruction guys! Just one thing, how do I care for the vinyl decals on the Boss? Do I have to tape them off before going after the swirls and marring? Can they receive the non cutting polish and wax?

 

Ive waxed over vinyls without issue but it really depends. It gives them a lil protection so theyre more resistant to fading and other damage

 

How do you plan to get rid of the swirls and marring? I hope you mean by machine. By hand will not get you far. Can your hand go 6000 rpm's?

Make sure you tape off the vinyls and trim or anything you don't want polished. Takes some time, but needed. It's like taping off trim before painting walls at your home... same idea.

 

Okay, that is what I was looking for, but just wanted to make sure. Yeah, I plan on getting the PC soon, going to go halfzies with the neighbor, as he is a Mustang guy too. Thanks to both. To say I learned a lot from both of you is an understatement!

And I have definately learned to keep the car cover off! Going to build a stable within the garage I think, to keep the kids and their toys off.

 

Funny you mention kids and their toys...

I have my son trained now to only touch the rubber trim of cars (avoids prints and scratches on paint), to make sure his clothes/hands/etc don't touch any part of the cars as he walks through the garage, no toys of any sort inside the garage, etc... I could go on

Oh he also tucks in his feet to avoid hitting the trim of the car when I get him in and out of the car seat in the 5.0

 

I am gonna have to get you to train my nephews like that

 

What are you guys using to clean the inside of windows when you have ceramic window tinting? A slightly damp MF towel?

 

I use Invisible Glass for interior windows, but I've heard of detailers using Klasse AIO on interior windows, including tint. Always wanted to try it, but haven't yet.

 

Interesting. No cleaners on inside windows for me if have tint. Just damp. Sometimes with v7 spray. Just something gentle.