Brad and others:

Any experience using the Mr. Clean de-ionized water filter to offset really hard water? I would only use the filter to help keep some of my very hard water minerals off my finish. Still plannign to use the complete Zaino system otherwise.

Just trying to find a way other than $2k worth of Culligan to know down the watterspotting. I do live in AZ so with summer coming, and a black car, even at 6am in the dark, it is gonna be hot enough for the water to dry in no time at all!

Thanks.

 

We live out in the country and have well water, and its very hard too. I had a plumber install a 2nd spicket outside that goes through our water softener and that helped, but it still wasn't enough. I tried the Mr Clean system, and I have had good success with it. I tried the soap the first time, but its crap, and I just use it for the filtered finish rinse now. It really keeps the water spots to a minimum on my black MC, and I don't need to dry the car with a towel any more unless I'm waxing it. For the price I think it is a decent solution to hard water problems, but I'll probably get a whole house water filtration system eventually.

 

Just hat I needed to hear! I would do the whole 9 yards, but we are moving fom our current home within 2 years, so I kinda don't want to sink too much money in the place. You know how i is.

 

www.griotsgarage.com sells in-line filters you just hook up to your hose...

would that work?

linky link: http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=37244A

 

I agree with Mineon that the soap is awful, but results with the system seem to be ok. I just don't like how it leaves a build up of film after several washes. Many long term users find a need to clean the paint and rewax a little more often than normal to keep the shine and slickness to the max. But in your situation where it's hot, hot, hot, it might just be worth a try.

 

Even better!!!

Has anyone used this?

Brad-What do you mean about "film" is that from the filter or from the soap?

Thanks guys!

 

For the "autodry" to work best it leaves a coating on surface that allows the water to sheet. After a while this tends build up. It's not something that is readily noticible because it happens over a long period. (more noticible on darker colors) You can get the same buildup by using overly softened water as well. It's almost like a faint haze that can be removed with several regular washes (sometimes) or a quick paint cleanser treatment.

Ever notice that towels that are washed in "softened" water don't seem to absorb as well? They repel water more easily. Similar theory. The fibers get saturated/coated and act differently.

 

Chili Red MCSC here. I think I have soft water (soft water=lime & hard water= calcium; I think ) & I have used the Mr Clean for a year for washing & drying. I know the Mini is small but I just don't have time to wash & dry weekly. Since I started using Mr Clean I do wash weekly because it takes no time at all & it really makes washing in cold weather doable . I can't speak much on build-up as my Mini isn't garaged so I am 100% exposed to the elements. However, I just clay barred & waxed this weekend (using minimal effort) & my Mini paint feels like satin so if it does build up that build up is easily reversible.

 

Sorry to venture slightly OT, but fabric softener sheets (ie Bounce) do the same thing.

 

I've only noticed the film on my car after using the soap, not just the filtered rinse. The film was rather nasty and was the reason I stopped using the soap (and yes, I did rinse the soap off the car throughly with the regular rinse cycle before using the filtered rinse).

-Keith

 

A quick application of Zaino Z6 or NXT Detailer gets rid of the hard-water spots for me.

 

I think it depends on a lot of factors. In a more mild climate I think the Z6 is sufficient. It has worked for me during the "winter" here too. Problem is in AZ the summers are kinda hot as you may have seen on the weather channel.


The degree of adherance that the deposits have on the clearcoat is proportional to exposure time and the "curing" effect of heat. The exposure time isn't so much an issue here as the heat. Also my water is very hard. If you pour a glass of unfiltered water and let it sit on the counter it will have sediment in the bottom after a couple of hours.

Thanks again for all the input