Waterless Auto Detailing:
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Understanding Waterless Auto Detailing
Q. What exactly is waterless auto detailing or waterless washing?
A. Compare your car to that of a fine piece of wooden furniture you have in your house. Waterless car washing products would be the equivalent of using a spray furniture dusting polish; you spray the dusty piece of furniture and then wipe clean. The same concept is used on your cars paint surface.
Q. How does this process work?
A. Manufacturers claim to have ingredients within these products that dissolve, loosen, soften, and encapsulate the dirt and dust particles whereby you can simply wipe with soft micro-fiber towel that leaves surface clean and beautiful.
Q. Will this process scratch my paint?
A. The exact operation of this process is done by encapsulating, or emulsifying the dirt and dust particles with these spray-on liquid products. Of course you could apply this same process through the use of simply spraying the dirty surface with water itself. Any form of liquid you spray onto a dirty surface would aid in breaking down and suspending the dirt and dust particles. It is simply through specific use of chemical that allows this process to be more effective and resulting in better end results. The car care industry has simply applied the concept of furniture dusting by formulating the right chemicals to create these effective waterless auto detailing products.Q. Why would you want to use one of these products?
A. These products have been created for numerous reasons. These products represent a very effective way to save time and effort by combining both car washing efforts with paint enhancing abilities. These products are now formulated to do both removing dirt and dust, while leaving a layer of protection and shine to a cars paint surface. It is also a way of water and environmental conservation. By not using water with traditional car washing and auto detailing methods, you are not only saving water, but there is no water run-off to contaminate the environment.
Q. Do I recommend this method professionally for use on my personal cars?
A. Yes, absolutely. I am always a big fan of getting better results with minimal efforts, and waterless auto detailing and washing is ideally suited for this. I don't recommend for excessively dirty cars that have been neglected of basic care and maintenance, but this method is ideal for brand new cars, or a car that is in excellent condition and a person is looking to save their time and energy.Q. Darren, how would I go about this if I wanted to start using the waterless auto detailing and washing methods?
A. I am glad you asked. Once people adopt this method of car care, I have yet to see anyone go back to old school methods of car washing under normal conditions. There are many parts of the country during winter months where cars simply get too dirty for this waterless auto detailing method to be realistic, but during months of good weather, or here in California, it can be used all year long.
Preparing the Foundation
Regardless of the age of your car, you will have to prepare your car to be in the position to start employing these waterless methods. The good news is that these foundational steps are also the very steps every car needs regardless if you plan on adopting the waterless auto detailing and washing or not!
Step 1- Preparing Paint Surface
for waterless auto detailing
Floating around in the air is all forms of pollution. You can see this build up on your car as layers of dust. Many elements of this pollution have the ability to embed into your cars paint and become a permanent fixture of your paint until you remove it. Normal washing, waxing, and polishing will not remove these embedded pollutants. These pollutants are also what gives your cars paint a gritty or texture feel to it; this is not good! It is only through the use of detailing clay, or the clay bar, that these embedded pollutants are removed. If you want to read the comprehensive outline of detailing clay you can use that link. Just know that it is a most important and critical step to preparing the paint surface and I recommend getting yourself a clay bar kit like this one below:
Darren's Note:
There are hundreds of clay bar choices, most of which will work, but I am making this simple for you; not trying to overwhelm you with hundreds of choices!
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit - G1016
- I have tested professionally and it works.
- It is easy to get; simply use my secure link above.
- Will last most people years of use for their car.
- Comes complete with clay bar, micro-fiber towel, and spray lubricant.
- You will simply be amazed if you have never experienced the wonders of detailing clay!
Step 2- Sealing and Protecting the Paint
for waterless auto detailing
Once you have prepared the car paint by removing any pollutants, you car paint is now ready to be protected and enhanced visually through the use of car wax. The good news is that car waxing is easier than ever with recent developments in chemical engineering.
Darren's Note:
Once again, there are hundreds of auto wax choices, most of which will work, but I am making this simple for you; not trying to overwhelm you with hundreds of choices! I continually recommend Meguiar's not because I have a vested interest in the company specifically, I just know their products deliver superior results, are easy to get, are economical, and I actually use them professionally myself!
- Incredibly easy to use; I promise you will be pleasantly surprised!
- The latest in synthetic polymer technology, formulated into a paste wax.
- Get the durability of a synthetic polymer, with the visual benefits of a quality paste wax product.
- Can even be used in direct sunlight on hot paint.
- One of my all time favorite products that contains what I call the winning combination of benefits!
- Easy to get; just use my secure link above.
That is It! These (2) simple steps and products and you have prepared and restored your car paint a level of superior shine, feel, and depth. Now all you need to do is follow the following steps of waterless auto detailing that will allow your car to looks its best day after day, year after year.
Darren's Professional Steps of Waterless Auto Detailing
Once you have washed, clayed, and waxed your car, it should be smooth as glass with a brilliant shine. Your biggest battle will be ordinary dust that accumulates all day long on your cars surface. The worst part of the problem will be road dirt and grime that gets kicked up from your tires as you drive along the dirty highways and streets. But waterless auto detailing and washing products are also very effective on these additional forms of road dirt and grime.
Step 1- Dusting Your Car
This step is actually optional and is simply a way to be more protective of your cars paint; especially suitable if you are working on a dark colored car.
Carrand Microfiber MAX Pure Shine Car Duster
- Use the duster to remove dust build up as often as you are willing; once a day, twice a day, three or more times a day.
- Despite nay-sayers and so called experts, these dusters will not scratch paint and are highly effective for extending any of your waterless car washing and detailing efforts.
- Use as your first step prior to any actual waterless auto detailing washing product.
- Can also use a leaf blower to remove a thin layer of accumulated dust from car.
Step 2- Creating the Final Product
After you have removed the initial layer of dust, now you can use the following product along with a quality micro-fiber towel to create the final amazing shine of your cars paint.
Darren's Note
While the following product is not packaged as a waterless auto detailing or washing product, if used in conjunction with the other recommended Meguiar's products, works to produce amazing results. It is my personal twist for what is called off-label use of products. Further down I offer links for specific waterless washing and detailing products you can choose if you prefer.
While this Ultimate Quik Wax from Meguiar's is not actually labeled as a waterless car wash product, if used following these instructions, fits in perfectly with the foundation you have already created using the Meguiar's clay bar and Ultimate PAste Wax.
- After dusting with duster, spray one panel at a time and use with a quality micro-fiber towel. A small amount goes a long way.
- Fold micro-fiber in half or quarters to use one side as the initial wet side, and the other is left dry to buff to perfection after initial wet wipe.
- Can be used in direct sunlight.
- Can be used on all paint, glass, and even black trim pieces!
- Creates that freshly waxed look to your cars paint.
- Adds additional layers of protection to your base coat of paste wax.
- I use weekly following daily car dustings with car duster from above.
- Start at the top of your car and work around and down. Leave the lowest parts of the cars body for last where road grime and dirt is thickest. Directly behind each tire will be the thickest and dirtiest dirt to deal with. Spray ample amounts of spray wax on these areas to help dissolve dirt prior to wiping.
- So easy to use, you might find yourself using more frequently than once a week!
- A perfect system to keep black and dark colored cars looking perfectly detailed all the time!
Cobra Super Plush Deluxe 600 Microfiber Towels 6 Pack
- Ideal for using with any waterless car washing or detailing products.
- Perfect for use with the Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax.
- Say good-bye to baby diapers forever!
- If you are new to micro-fiber you are in for a real treat and you will never go back!
Additional Waterless Auto Detailing and Washing Products
If you are looking for dedicated waterless washing and detailing products, shop usig any of the secure links below for products hat will all deliver exceptional results.
Eco Touch Waterless Car Wash Ready To Use 24 oz. FREE BONUS
Griot's Garage Waterless Spray-On Car Wash 35 oz.
Waterless Auto Detailing Summary
I hope you have not only leaned a few things along the way here today, but come to the realization that car care and maintenance can be much more simple and basic than most realize. Waterless auto detailing and water car washing techniques are a great may to leverage your time and efforts to get you maximum results with minimal efforts!Home | About | About This Site | Privacy Policy | Contact Me
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