Car Cleaning Aid

[nsm3]

Not sure how many of you are using one of these, but I tried out my new Aqua Gleam 30ppm de-ioniser last night as a final rinse on my car and I can't believe the results.

Living in a medium hardness water area, the leathering off process was vital in getting the car to look half decent (Basalt Black) after washing and effectively doubled the time required to do the job.

With this device providing the final rinse only, I garaged the car "wet" last night and this morning it is spotless - result!

Just need to see if it will provide the 40 or so washes before running out of steam, before I can tell if it justifies the cost or not(£45)?

 

[YvesD]

This will be my next purchase too.

Im fed up with the car drying all streaky before I can even get to it with a chammy.

 

[pwebb]

Think yourself lucky you can use a hosepipe at all....
We're reduced to a bucket to rinse off the cars - takes ages. If we get a drought order (and Thames Water applied for one last week) we'll be reduced to using Evian water, I suppose.

Peter

 

[Michael Downing]

It's a very good bit of kit, but take care to drain it and bring it inside after use.

Mine stayed outside (back in the old days when hosepipes were ok []) and after about 15 washes the perspex ruptured at one of the joins ... messy... []

 

[Guest]

what exactly is the kit? is it something that you fit to your jet washer, or does it replace the jet washer??

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Aqua Gleam In-Line Water Filter


Available in either 0ppm or 30ppm (parts per million)The most common cause of waterspots and marks is hard water and the refining chemicals that are used to treat water for domestic use. Up until now, there has been no other way to avoid the effects that varying water quality can have on the finish of a car after the detailing process. To remedy this problem, the simple to use in-line filter delivers virtually pure de-ionised water from ordinary tap water to provide a spot free finish, thus providing a significantly enhanced shine on all types of paintwork which is free from watermarks and streaks. Not only does the use of these filters ensure a lustrous finish, but they also assist with diluting and dispersing damaging road salts.

• Spot free finish
• No watermarks or streaks
• Virtually pure de-ionised water
• Dilutes and disperses damaging road salts
• Significantly enhanced shine
• Available as 0ppm or 30ppm (parts per million)
• Supplied complete with two quick connect hose end fittings and instructions.

 

[jonathanw]

I have been using ionic filters for some time and can confirm how good they are (but pricey). Also suggest you use a drier to blow water off car - less chance of scratching paintwork. I use a large drier originally designed to clean our large dogs.

Try this site http://shop.ionicsystems.com/htdocs/acatalog/Ionic_Catalogue_Ionic_Rinse_Accessories_54.html

 

[Guest]

Thanks Geoff. received my order in the post yesterday. understand how this now works. they recommend that the unit is placed as close to the point of use as possible. i was going to connect it to the outside tap, connect the hosepipe to it, and run the hosepipe to the car. will this make any difference in yo rexperience?

 

[YvesD]

Good question,

I too have just ordered one but my outside tap is about 35m away from the nearest car position !

I suspect its all to do with water pressure drop as they slow the flow rate down quite a bit. The pipe length shouldnt affect the water purity surely ?

Yves

 

[Guest]

Hi Yves,
similar problem to me! my tap isn't that close to driveway, and hence I have the hosepipe! I don;t think it would affect the purity of the water. I can't see how anyway. I'm in a hosepipe ban area, so i will probably jet wash the car without the filter and do the final rinse by bucket. Allegedly, 10 buckets should do it due to the purity.

Dev.

 

[mikec]

I just use the filter for the final rinse and I've got it connected inbetween the tap and the hose reel and it works fine,I'm sure it says this is the way to use it 'cause I don't think it'd last long if you used it all the time. It does make a huge difference, especially if you're in a hurry and don't have time to chamois the car down. Sorry for interloping into your forum, can always dream that I own a 'real prosche', maybe next time![]

 

[Michael Downing]

Could someone remind me what this "hosepipe" thing is that people keep talking about?

I vaguely remember using one, but it's been so long ..... [&:]

 

[Guest]

in the land where hosepipes are banned (most of the UK!) it's that thing on a reel that you haven;t used in ages! actually they're allowed to be used when connected to a jet wash!? not sure why, but there you go.

 

[Michael Downing]

Oh - the long thin yellow thing with the nozzle on the end? Hey - if I connected that to the water supply then I could use it to spray water all over the car! That would make washing it sooo much easier!

Yours wistfully.....[]

 

[Guest]

Just had one of these kits delivered today........next wash will see if it does what it says on the tin.

 

[Guest]

Lol! The genuine alternative to us law abiding citizens (like we would have 185mph cars if we were!) is to jet wash (use of hosepipe is apparently allowed for this) the car and rinse etc - and then connect the aqua gleam to the tap, and use around 10 buckets of "aqua-gleamed" water to final rinse the car.

I'm planning on doing this at the weekend. Won;t get the time to do the full zymol treatment but will autobathe it and final rinse with the filtered water. One member mentioned he did this, and then let his car drip dry in the garage - and it did so, virtually spot/smear free.

I'll keep you posted on Monday with my experience!