Hard water and car washing

[billy_at]

My area has hard water, so my (black) car frequently ends up with spots on it after hand washing in the driveway, even if I dry it quickly. It also happens if water from the sprinkler hits it.

Does anyone use any filters or accessories that you can put on a garden hose while washing a car that will soften the water (even just a little) for when I wash the car at home?

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[Davedough]

The best thing you can do is find an extremely hydrophobic wax or ceramic sealer and apply it. Don’t wash in the sun, always in shade and keep your car wet as you go around then immediately chamois, not towel dry

 

[RickMachE]

The only way to solve this is to utilize a reverse osmosis system for a final rinse, but it's largely impractical.

 

[ChasingCoral]

The only way to solve this is to utilize a reverse osmosis system for a final rinse, but it's largely impractical.

You can also treat the water in a final rinse bucket then dry quickly.

 

[billy_at]

I should've said: the car has already been professionally ceramic coated. It does help, but doesn't eliminate the problem.

When I take the car to the hand car wash, it doesn't have this problem. They told me they use "diluted water" to prevent spots, but I can't do that at home.

I dry with a leaf blower, then with microfiber cloth.

 

[krazieboy]

Dionized water filter system. Not cheap.

 

[NewGuy]

When washing at home, use a product like Optimum No Rinse and use the Garry Dean Wash Method. You could even use distilled water for this, but the water isn’t on the surface very long, so you should be fine with regular tap water.

https://www.detailingwiki.org/guides/garry-dean-method/amp/

 

[highland58]

I should've said: the car has already been professionally ceramic coated. It does help, but doesn't eliminate the problem.

When I take the car to the hand car wash, it doesn't have this problem. They told me they use "diluted water" to prevent spots, but I can't do that at home.

I dry with a leaf blower, then with microfiber cloth.

Diluted water? Is that like wet water? ?

 

[billy_at]

Diluted water? Is that like wet water? ?

That was my reaction too!

Apparently, it's tap water with distilled water blended in?

 

[murphy62]

Diluted water? Is that like wet water? ?

Probably meant distilled water.

I use this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YDK4277/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Kabish]

I'm sure they are using what is called DI water aka deionized water. You can buy filter systems and such but they are $$$$ and the filters get dirty SUPER fast and they are SUPER expensive to replace.

Best advice.. Do it early in the morning, not in direct sun light, and move fast.

 

[billy_at]

Probably meant distilled water.

I use this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YDK4277/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Oh I actually came across these in a search! You use this and it prevents hard water spots?

(By the way, the URL in your post didn't work as is. I had to correct it to https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YDK4277 to see the product).

 

[FordMachEGo]

I should've said: the car has already been professionally ceramic coated. It does help, but doesn't eliminate the problem.

When I take the car to the hand car wash, it doesn't have this problem. They told me they use "diluted water" to prevent spots, but I can't do that at home.

I dry with a leaf blower, then with microfiber cloth.

I think that air drying may contribute to the problem. Have you tried using a drying towel only and not using the leaf blower? There are many good ones on the market but this one I've found is the besrt Dries the entire car. It’s amazing How much water this holds and just keeps on working.


https://www.griotsgarage.com/extra-...RMHcXuo3zIoTW4lKXuWJxK_Q8wEmrNdBoC3cAQAvD_BwE

 

[PicassoPC]

I use this and it works great..

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H8MQTMD/

 

[hawkeye3point1]

My area has hard water, so my (black) car frequently ends up with spots on it after hand washing in the driveway, even if I dry it quickly.

Buy a white car...kidding.

Years ago there was a product on the market that worked very well for this. The Mr. Clean car washing system. You can still find them, but at scalper prices and the filters do not last long.

You could use a small water pump with a garden hose output to pump distilled water out of a 5-gal. bucket. I have used a garden sprayer with distilled or Zero Water filtered water to do the final rinse also. Don't laugh, it works.

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