• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

I tried to wash my truck yesterday

Raduque

Raduque

Lifer
I tried washing my truck, had the water hose, Mother's brand soap and a really soft sponge I got at Autozone. I'd rinse it, use the soapy sponge to wash it, then rinse the suds aways - and the sun would dry it.

Well, it dried dirty! To top it off, there's tons of dirt or water deposit spots all over my windshield now, too and they're like baked on by the sun. I've tried scrubbing it again and using the wipers/windshield washer fluid, but that failed. I'm going to do through a touchless car wash later today, and if that doesn't work, I'm gonna need suggestions on how to get it clean.
 
Originally posted by: Raduque
I tried washing my truck, had the water hose, Mother's brand soap and a really soft sponge I got at Autozone. I'd rinse it, use the soapy sponge to wash it, then rinse the suds aways - and the sun would dry it.

Well, it dried dirty! To top it off, there's tons of dirt or water deposit spots all over my windshield now, too and they're like baked on by the sun. I've tried scrubbing it again and using the wipers/windshield washer fluid, but that failed. I'm going to do through a touchless car wash later today, and if that doesn't work, I'm gonna need suggestions on how to get it clean.
Click to expand...

You really need to wash in the shade & pat dry with a soft towel (microfiber, chamois, etc) afterwards.

I'd try giving it another wash and try to dry it before the sun does. Actually, the sun will always win. So do it early morning or evening or in the shade. 🙂

If that doesn't work, here is a Water spot HOWTO. But I've never tried it, since a wash has always removed water spots for me.
 
I recommend a product called "Glass Scrub" for the window deposits. I found out about it online when I was looking for something to remove deposits from hard water stains (I parked too close to a sprinkler system that used well water). Needless to say nothing worked getting it off. I called the company (Unelco) and they said they only sell to "specialty" retailers like shower vendors and whatnot to clean bathroom glass (with deposits ... but they had just shipped a huge Lot to Wally Marts distribution center. About six weeks later I come home from work and the wife hands me two (2) tubes of the stuff. I tried it and it works when nothing else would. For really bad deposits try multiple applications.

Good luck ...
 
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
There's a filter you can put on your hose that will take out the minerals from the water, so when it dries it will be spot free.


Found it.. Mr Clean http://www.epinions.com/content_154989727364
Click to expand...

I built my own using a whole house water filter, it works really well and it's good for 16,000 gallons versus justa few washes with the auto dry. Mine has an on-off-bypass switch, so I only use it when I am washing the cars.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
There's a filter you can put on your hose that will take out the minerals from the water, so when it dries it will be spot free.


Found it.. Mr Clean http://www.epinions.com/content_154989727364
Click to expand...

I built my own using a whole house water filter, it works really well and it's good for 16,000 gallons versus justa few washes with the auto dry. Mine has an on-off-bypass switch, so I only use it when I am washing the cars.
Click to expand...

Would you or could you provide some links or info on this design. I am an engineer (it's a birth defect). I would be interested in learning about your approach ...


Thanks ...
 
windshield: white vinegar will remove water spots. Seriously it will clean your windshield

If the car has streaks leftover from the soap and it won't come off... dishwashing liquid
 
When I was my car, I will keep the car sprayed down the entire time. After I'm done, I pull into the garage and dry it there. Seems to keep the water spotting to a minimum.
 
My former landlord showed me a neat trick of how not to get hard water stains after a wash. Right after you wash the car, use a squeegee (I use a California blade) to get the excess water off the car. Right after that, use a towel to wipe the rest of the water off.
And yes, you should do this in the shade. In the sun, the water would evaporate quickly which will leave the stains.
 
<-- has some really bad water spotting from where the back of his truck was sprayed almost daily by sprinklers at his apartments.
 
Originally posted by: zoiks
My former landlord showed me a neat trick of how not to get hard water stains after a wash. Right after you wash the car, use a squeegee (I use a California blade) to get the excess water off the car. Right after that, use a towel to wipe the rest of the water off.
And yes, you should do this in the shade. In the sun, the water would evaporate quickly which will leave the stains.
Click to expand...

that's not a neat trick, that's what you're suppose to do, heh. The squeegee is just a quicker way than just towel/microfiber drying. Although, some argue the blade is a very bad practice because it's easy to get particles on it... but I've given up on keep the car pristine. Almost 60 miles a day, most on the highway, rock chips galore.
 
Originally posted by: dud
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
There's a filter you can put on your hose that will take out the minerals from the water, so when it dries it will be spot free.


Found it.. Mr Clean http://www.epinions.com/content_154989727364
Click to expand...

I built my own using a whole house water filter, it works really well and it's good for 16,000 gallons versus justa few washes with the auto dry. Mine has an on-off-bypass switch, so I only use it when I am washing the cars.
Click to expand...

Would you or could you provide some links or info on this design. I am an engineer (it's a birth defect). I would be interested in learning about your approach ...


Thanks ...
Click to expand...

The filter was $30 at HD. I then got some adapters to convert the thread size. Both the hose and filter are 3/4", but the hose is a bit thinner in threading. I put everything in a plastic hose reel container, minus the reel. The filter had a warning to keep out of direct sunlight.

Faucet >> hose >> filter >> hose >> hose reel >> 200ft hose
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: dud
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
There's a filter you can put on your hose that will take out the minerals from the water, so when it dries it will be spot free.


Found it.. Mr Clean http://www.epinions.com/content_154989727364
Click to expand...

I built my own using a whole house water filter, it works really well and it's good for 16,000 gallons versus justa few washes with the auto dry. Mine has an on-off-bypass switch, so I only use it when I am washing the cars.
Click to expand...

Would you or could you provide some links or info on this design. I am an engineer (it's a birth defect). I would be interested in learning about your approach ...


Thanks ...
Click to expand...

The filter was $30 at HD. I then got some adapters to convert the thread size. Both the hose and filter are 3/4", but the hose is a bit thinner in threading. I put everything in a plastic hose reel container, minus the reel. The filter had a warning to keep out of direct sunlight.

Faucet >> hose >> filter >> hose >> hose reel >> 200ft hose
Click to expand...

I'm going to Home Depot tomorrow to check stuff out. I've used the Mr. Clean filter, and it makes a big difference with this crappy Los Angeles water but (as you point out) it only lasts for a few washes. $30 is a pretty low price to pay for entertaining myself with this project!

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by: marvdmartian
Originally posted by: Raduque
I tried washing my truck
Click to expand...

Well, THAT'S where your problem was!! :roll:

It's a truck. Hose it down and call it good!! 😉
Click to expand...

Heeey, just because it's a truck, doesn't mean it can't look good!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm just going to use a car wash during the summer months, I think. Either a drive-thru touchless type, or the manual pressure wash booth type and save the handwashing for the "winter" months.
 
Originally posted by: Raduque
I tried washing my truck, had the water hose, Mother's brand soap and a really soft sponge I got at Autozone. I'd rinse it, use the soapy sponge to wash it, then rinse the suds aways - and the sun would dry it.

Well, it dried dirty! To top it off, there's tons of dirt or water deposit spots all over my windshield now, too and they're like baked on by the sun. I've tried scrubbing it again and using the wipers/windshield washer fluid, but that failed. I'm going to do through a touchless car wash later today, and if that doesn't work, I'm gonna need suggestions on how to get it clean.
Click to expand...

Maybe the sponge isn't as good as you think?

Oh, and you actually have to DRY the car. Letting the "sun" do the drying will result in water-spots since there are minerals in regular tap water.

So, rinse, wash, rinse, dry (please use a microfiber or equivalent towel that's clear-coat safe).
 
Originally posted by: Aimster
windshield: white vinegar will remove water spots. Seriously it will clean your windshield

If the car has streaks leftover from the soap and it won't come off... dishwashing liquid
Click to expand...

very old school recommendation and really to be avoided today. It will dry out all the trim and rubber.

Most water has minerals in it. Leaving the water to dry on the car causes the minerals to be left behind.

Wash the car and dry it. I like an absorber followed by a microfiber towel to buff.

 
First of all, wash in the shade if possible.

Second of all, you'll need to keep the entire car wet until you are ready to dry it. Then you need to dry it with a microfiber towel or chamois instead of letting it air dry.

Air drying will leave water spots, and if it is in the sun and the paint is dark, it is almost impossible to avoid this. Hence the shade.

For the windows, just plan on re-washing them with Windex after you wash the car, then going over one more time with a clean, dry microfiber towel to remove any haze.

I'd recommend getting a big pack of microfiber towels for car-washing, like from Costco. Then you'll have plenty of towels for washing, drying, removing window haze, waxing, interior detailing etc.
 
Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: dud
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
There's a filter you can put on your hose that will take out the minerals from the water, so when it dries it will be spot free.


Found it.. Mr Clean http://www.epinions.com/content_154989727364
Click to expand...

I built my own using a whole house water filter, it works really well and it's good for 16,000 gallons versus justa few washes with the auto dry. Mine has an on-off-bypass switch, so I only use it when I am washing the cars.
Click to expand...

Would you or could you provide some links or info on this design. I am an engineer (it's a birth defect). I would be interested in learning about your approach ...


Thanks ...
Click to expand...

The filter was $30 at HD. I then got some adapters to convert the thread size. Both the hose and filter are 3/4", but the hose is a bit thinner in threading. I put everything in a plastic hose reel container, minus the reel. The filter had a warning to keep out of direct sunlight.

Faucet >> hose >> filter >> hose >> hose reel >> 200ft hose
Click to expand...

I'm going to Home Depot tomorrow to check stuff out. I've used the Mr. Clean filter, and it makes a big difference with this crappy Los Angeles water but (as you point out) it only lasts for a few washes. $30 is a pretty low price to pay for entertaining myself with this project!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think I spent $2 on the adapters too. They were a bit hard to find, I suggest asking the plumbing person there. If you get the wrong thread the plastic of the filter will still accept it, but you will have a heck of a time trying to get it sealed. Don't forget the teflon tape!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top