Cleaning your car without a hose? Enlighten me.....

[69bronzeT5]

I've seen a few times now where some of you say don't wash your Charger with a hose on various threads. How is it possible not to use a hose or anything like that while cleaning your car? Please enlighten me. I can see if the car isn't very dirty during show season just to do a quick wipe down and quick detail or something but what do you do if the car actually gets pretty dirty from driving?

[FLG]

Id like to hear it, ever try to clean a black car without water?? I can only imagine the scratches 

[694spdRT]

Must be a southern California thing.  I hear it never rains there.

[A383Wing]

Please enlighten me.

"Hoser"   

[nvrbdn]

mabey its because when its hot you will get thirsty and want a drink, but the wife cant hear you screaming that your thirsty and the beverage you were enjoying is nothing more than an empty can. and the house is way over there which is too far to walk (and thats why you got married in the first place) so you do the next best thing which is get a drink out of the hose that they say we should never get a drink out of!!! unless you have forked out the big bucks for the white one that is used on campers  

[4cruzin]

I can say that I have done it but if one is available, I would definitely use it.   

[Finn]

Ive cleaned mine in the garage panel by panel with one bucket filled with water and the other filled with soapy water. 

I do it because its a black car and I have hard water at the house, which causes water spots in seconds when combined with the Cali sun.

[nvrbdn]

i remember when living in the california high desert, that sun would bake a white ring in the paint so fast. you are right

[bill440rt]

I can probably count on one hand how many times I've washed my '68 with a hose, and it's been restored since the late '80's.

On a show-quality vehicle, using a hose (IMHO) just makes more of a mess than not using one. The key is not to let the car get too dirty in the first place.

After ANY driving (to a show, out for a cruise, etc), the first thing after letting the car cool down is to dust it off. This will remove any dust/dirt that is on the surface. Use only a HIGH-QUALITY duster (California Duster, etc).

I then use appropriate cleaners/detailers on the surface. Or, a damp/wet washcloth with a bucket & then towel dry. This is done on EVERY surface. Wheels & tires are last. I then follow it up with a detailer, glass cleaners, etc.

Same thing with the engine compartment or undercarriage. Any first signs of grease or grime are wiped clean, and then kept clean. A mild cleaner on a rag works well, or even just a damp rag to dust it off. Detailer wipes are also perfect for cleaning, so are foam paint brushes dipped in cleaner or detailer.

Water gets everywhere when using a hose. Things tend to rust very quickly: freshly plated bolts, screws, etc. Even chrome lug nuts. Ever try cleaning water spots off your grille? That'll make you insane.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people like to use a hose, and that's OK. Works for them.
If you choose not to, the trick is just not to let the dirt build up.

[69bronzeT5]

Thanks for the answer Bill, you were one of the members I was hoping would reply!

[Cooter]

Bottom line is it takes more effort to wash a car without a hose and a bucket of suds..Bill is spot on when he says not to let the car get dirty in the first place...But then again, we ain't on here asking how to get rid of water spots either...

[charger Downunder]

Here no hose and no water. Waterless car wash.
http://www.waterlesscarwash.com.au/

[nvrbdn]

here in the muggy st. louis area air, it is already so wet you could almost wash your car by wringing it out. and we aint got nothing on the georgia air. i admire the guys that can clean with all the new fangled items on the market, but i will keep on using my bucket of soapy water, garden hose and shami. she likes it when i give her a bath.

[ChgrSteve67]

Lots of waterless car wash products on the market.

I'm not a fan of having to clean my car with a spray bottle and diaper everytime its a little dirty.

I never wash my car in the sun light, I always wait till my driveway is fully shaded.
And I spray deionized water on my car after I wash it to prevent water spots.

[Brock Samson]

 yeah I agree, never in the direct sunlight... when "Hoseless" I use two "Absorbers" both really wet in their plastic sealed containers one to get the gross dirt and such working from the top down always, and the second for getting rid of streaks always present after the first has carried away the initial particulates,.. But first i wash the windows inside and out with the first absorber before using it to wipe the Chargers long surfaces... paper products leave a fine paper dust the rubber wont.
I use a roll of paper towels with Windex for the wheels and most trim, and One Step  tire cleaner for the tires,.. often I'll use Simple Green heavily diluted into a bucket if a hose isn't Avail. last I use a shop Vac. for the interior and trunk then wipe that down with the rubber towel. I never use armorall thought the one step does a great job of cutting through grime on the interior.
So, a bucket with some water mixed with Simple Green, two absorbers, Windex, Paper towels, and One Step. plus a shop vac.
takes me about two hours to do the entire car inside and out.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/1/3/pva-drying-towel   the absorber. wash in simple green with a little bleach.
I have about ten of them and they literally last for years.

http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/85-534-tire-shine/no-touch-tire-shine-612148.aspx   take care to avoid over spray on the body or wheels. Cheap at $5.oo or less when on sale.

[Back N Black]

I can probably count on one hand how many times I've washed my '68 with a hose, and it's been restored since the late '80's.

On a show-quality vehicle, using a hose (IMHO) just makes more of a mess than not using one. The key is not to let the car get too dirty in the first place.

After ANY driving (to a show, out for a cruise, etc), the first thing after letting the car cool down is to dust it off. This will remove any dust/dirt that is on the surface. Use only a HIGH-QUALITY duster (California Duster, etc).

I then use appropriate cleaners/detailers on the surface. Or, a damp/wet washcloth with a bucket & then towel dry. This is done on EVERY surface. Wheels & tires are last. I then follow it up with a detailer, glass cleaners, etc.

Same thing with the engine compartment or undercarriage. Any first signs of grease or grime are wiped clean, and then kept clean. A mild cleaner on a rag works well, or even just a damp rag to dust it off. Detailer wipes are also perfect for cleaning, so are foam paint brushes dipped in cleaner or detailer.

Water gets everywhere when using a hose. Things tend to rust very quickly: freshly plated bolts, screws, etc. Even chrome lug nuts. Ever try cleaning water spots off your grille? That'll make you insane.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people like to use a hose, and that's OK. Works for them.
If you choose not to, the trick is just not to let the dirt build up.

+1 i pretty much do the same. just to lazy to type it.

[BlueSS454]

 

I NEVER voluntarily put water on ANY of my old cars.

I can probably count on one hand how many times I've washed my '68 with a hose, and it's been restored since the late '80's.

On a show-quality vehicle, using a hose (IMHO) just makes more of a mess than not using one. The key is not to let the car get too dirty in the first place.

After ANY driving (to a show, out for a cruise, etc), the first thing after letting the car cool down is to dust it off. This will remove any dust/dirt that is on the surface. Use only a HIGH-QUALITY duster (California Duster, etc).

I then use appropriate cleaners/detailers on the surface. Or, a damp/wet washcloth with a bucket & then towel dry. This is done on EVERY surface. Wheels & tires are last. I then follow it up with a detailer, glass cleaners, etc.

Same thing with the engine compartment or undercarriage. Any first signs of grease or grime are wiped clean, and then kept clean. A mild cleaner on a rag works well, or even just a damp rag to dust it off. Detailer wipes are also perfect for cleaning, so are foam paint brushes dipped in cleaner or detailer.

Water gets everywhere when using a hose. Things tend to rust very quickly: freshly plated bolts, screws, etc. Even chrome lug nuts. Ever try cleaning water spots off your grille? That'll make you insane.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people like to use a hose, and that's OK. Works for them.
If you choose not to, the trick is just not to let the dirt build up.

[68X426]

I NEVER voluntarily put water on ANY of my old cars.

You got that right.

[doctor4766]

I just use a wet micro fibre cloth to remove the dust build up when the car needs it, and every so often I'll clean the car with FW1 cleaner. That leaves a great shine that lasts for ages.
No hose or suds in the bucket here thanks.

[nvrbdn]

I just use a wet micro fibre cloth to remove the dust build up when the car needs it, and every so often I'll clean the car with FW1 cleaner. That leaves a great shine that lasts for ages.
No hose or suds in the bucket here thanks.

im having trouble believing this quote really came from australia. every time i read it there is no accent mabey im reading it wrong i will keep trying though.

[71charger_fan]

Generally, I give the Charger a thorough washing with the hose once a year. In between, I use a Kozak cloth. Plus, it lives in the garage, under a cover and rarely sees a wet road.

[A383Wing]

I just use a wet micro fibre cloth to remove the dust build up when the car needs it, and every so often I'll clean the car with FW1 cleaner. That leaves a great shine that lasts for ages.
No hose or suds in the bucket here thanks.

im having trouble believing this quote really came from australia. every time i read it there is no accent mabey im reading it wrong i will keep trying though.

ya gotta read it upside down....those guys are "down under", remember??....we gotta explain everything to ya? 

[doctor4766]

im having trouble believing this quote really came from australia. every time i read it there is no accent mabey im reading it wrong i will keep trying though.
[/quote]

ya gotta read it upside down....those guys are "down under", remember??....we gotta explain everything to ya? 
[/quote]

Maybe it should have been written like this.

G'day cobbers, I just use one a them soggy cloths that we normally use to remove the blood off the roobar when we've been bush bashin' and every now'n'again I'll scrub 'er up with that FW1 cleaner my sheila gave me as a Chrissie pressie. That leaves the old duco lookin' bonza for ages.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Here you go....havent tried it myself personally BUT I would only use it on a show car & not a daily...


http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/waterless+spray-on+car+wash+kit+special.do?code=axr2

Video

http://s7d4.scene7.com/s7/video/flash_video.jsp?movie=Videos/2011_new-media_spray-on-car-wash.flv&company=GriotsGarage&config=GriotsGarage/VideoConfig&locale=en

[bill440rt]

Here you go....havent tried it myself personally BUT I would only use it on a show car & not a daily...


http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/waterless+spray-on+car+wash+kit+special.do?code=axr2

Video

http://s7d4.scene7.com/s7/video/flash_video.jsp?movie=Videos/2011_new-media_spray-on-car-wash.flv&company=GriotsGarage&config=GriotsGarage/VideoConfig&locale=en

Hmmm...
I have NEVER used a waterless car wash before. I gotta admit, if my Charger ever became THAT dirty I would probably reach for the hose. Or, a bucket with a wet washcloth & a towel. And I would never forgive myself for letting the car get that dirty in the first place. 
Griot's Garage products DO kick ass, though.

Say, uh, you comin' to the dark side, Chris? I thought you were always an Adam's fan?