Help with Hard Water

[Agent 99]

On any map of the US with a scale of hard water, Louisville KY is flashing red. It's hard water hell.

Even a single drop of water left on the car after a wash leaves a bright calcium-white water spot.

Is there anything I can hook up to the hose to soften or filter the water? What types of filters are effective on this? I'm pretty frustrated. I can't even wash the car and get decent results.

[Murr1525]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Generally you want something more than just hose end, more like the bigger canister type in the garage. But you could set up the plumbing to only flow through the hose when washing the car.

Does it happen to fast for you, even when drying with a QD spray or something?

[Agent 99]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Generally you want something more than just hose end, more like the bigger canister type in the garage. But you could set up the plumbing to only flow through the hose when washing the car.

Does it happen to fast for you, even when drying with a QD spray or something?

Well I live at an apt complex where there is a "car washing station" aka semi covered area with a hose. I even have to provide my own nozzle.

I'm afraid to use anything on the car to dry due to the extremely soft clear coat. Anything, and I mean anything, leaves swirls.

All I can do is the flood technique which helps, but still leaves bad spots.

[Agent 99]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Also, what about that Mr Clean no rinse canister thing? Remember those? I think they stopped making them but I'm sure I could find a few on eBay, that is if they work.

[Murr1525]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Well.. better than nothing... I wouldnt use the spot free canister though, didnt like that.

So no towels either then? How about a leaf blower?

[Wheelzntoys]

Re: Help with Hard Water

How about a drying aid? Rinseless wash in a spray bottle to help lubricate and soften the water.

[GhOsT1321]

Re: Help with Hard Water

I was just thinking about hard water the other day.
It's worth mentioning that cold water is better to use for washing the car than any sort of warm water. Warm/hot water contains much more particles such as calcium.

[the other pc]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Also, what about that Mr Clean no rinse canister thing? Remember those? ....

Yeah, they sort of worked.

The problem was that the cartridges were really small and you burned through them really quick. The worse your water, the faster you use up the cartridge.

As far as de-ionizing filters like the Mr. Clean go, the big systems like CR Spotless cost a lot more up front but are cheaper to use over the long haul. But either way, they ain't cheap.

If you have a coin-op car wash with spotless rinse near by, that's one option.

Some guys buy bottled purified water (de-ionized, distilled or RO'ed) and use a pump sprayer for final rinse.

If using purified water is too much of a hassle, using a rinseless wash or doing your final wipe down with a QD and super soft microfiber towels is a good option.



pc

[Detailing by M]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Go waterless!!!!
Or buy/rent a DI tank
Gouts Garage has what you need

http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.do?query=water

[andytsang]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Mr Clean Autodry works for me but as the other pc said the filter doesn't last much. I think I merely get three full wash per canister. Lately I use Rinse Free Express Wash with water from the reverse osmosis system in my kitchen. I love RFEW. It save me a lot of water.

[subieoutback]

Re: Help with Hard Water

Ghost, if I remember by chemistry right, some of the calcium salts in water are actually less soluble in hot water versus cold water. That is why you get scale build up in your hot water heater and hot water lines in the house.

[Poki]

Re: Help with Hard Water

About the only real way to avoid hard water spotting is to use "soft water". Here is a very protable unit that works great.

http://www.portablewatersoftener.com/about.htm We have a mobile RV detail crew that works in our RV resort and uses one of the softeners. No water spots.

[imz4n]

Re: Help with Hard Water

You could always do a quick detail after you wash.

[luc.who]

Re: Help with Hard Water

I am having the same issue when I wash my black tundra. I can add a softner to my outside water line. Any one have a recommendation on model? I would like to keep the cost around 100. I dont want to invest in a 5K osmosis system.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Help with Hard Water

I am having the same issue when I wash my black tundra. I can add a softner to my outside water line. Any one have a recommendation on model? I would like to keep the cost around 100. I dont want to invest in a 5K osmosis system.

Go waterless!!!!
Or buy/rent a DI tank
Gouts Garage has what you need
http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.do?query=water

^^^^^^^^^^^