A bucket, Optimum No Rinse in two gallons of water, and a bunch of microfiber towels to apply and dry. I’ve been doing this for over two years and my paint still looks new. Just don’t skimp on using a lot of the towels. See https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GG9FB8U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for the ONR.
You can find it here. The green one is wash and wax, blue one is just the wash with some gloss enhancers.
Echoing what others say re touchless washes not really doing much.
My recommendation is that you pick up a bottle of Optimum No Rinse. It's a rinseless system, so all you'll need is a bucket of water and some microfiber towels. No driveway and no hose required. That 32oz bottle will last a long time, too, and it is really the absolute best way to ensure your paint stays looking great. I can do my whole car in 15-20 minutes (so, less time than it would take to drive to any touchless car wash). My detailer recommended it to me and I won't use anything else now.
If you're in a drought area (or even if you're not) I highly recommend this low water option
Went with an AMMO Reflex Coat and AMMO Skin Sealant. The Reflex Coat is a bit expensive compared to other coatings but is very easy to apply, only took me about 40 minutes to do the whole RAV4 and all you need is a microfiber applicator.
Optimum product line is also pretty good. I like them for their No-Rinse wash. You can try your hand on the ONR Wash and Wax and see if it does the trick for you, since it’s an easy way to hide the scratches (because of the gloss). You can get multiple washes out of a 32oz bottle.
That’s such a bummer! This advice comes late, but hopefully others can benefit:
It’s generally difficult to wash your own car in HOA neighborhoods as well as some other public places, but using the product listed below (called ONR) has proven to be fairly quick & easy, and comes highly recommended. Since there’s no rinsing, you can literally wash your car in the garage. Anyway, hope it helps out anyone looking for a solution (no pun intended… well, maybe).
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax - 32 oz. Bottle | Multi-Use Rinseless Car Wax | Waterless Wash for Any Vehicle Surface | Ultimate Rinseless Car Wax System | Most Environmentally Friendly Car Wax Green , NRWW2012Q https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GG9FB8U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_M0BJXAP2FKYJARE5JZNJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Hey, i love the 86/BRZs. I use this product to clean my WRX. You should give it a try it's amazing for the apartment life.
Optimum (NRWW2012Q) No Rinse Wash & Wax - 32 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GG9FB8U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vX0-BbBFR4FB6
Just purchased my 2nd grit guard today, in fact! Going to be big ballin with a three bucket system and try a rinseless wash in between actual cleanings which makes me extremely nervous, but everyone swears by it. My car's 7 years old and at 122k miles, so I'm beyond obsessing over every speck, thankfully. Definitely not doing it on a filthy car, though.
I use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax. Take a bucket with two gallons of water, add a cap full of this stuff, soak 4-5 microfiber towels and wipe all the grime off. Fold each microfiber into quarters and flip through the sides once they get dirty. If its really dirty or has some caked on grime, I'll fill a spray bottle with a mixture of the stuff and pre-treat the area. Dry with a dry microfiber. Cleans great, leaves a nice layer of wax, and has high lubricity so there is a lower risk of swirling up your paint.
Use this with the garry dean wash method. Watch the video on youtube. The vehicle can't be very dirty so do it at least once a week. I always like to go to the local pay and spray car wash to hose it down then follow up with ONRWW.
The speed wipe leaves a good shine but not as good as the V7. The V7 is marketed as a sealant I believe. The speed wipe helps keep away finger prints and dust due to the anti static is has. There are no waxes or sealants in it so I would say they do different things. You also have to remember that a QD is not really used so much for "cleaning" but more of a touch up. I would not use a QD on a "dirty" vehicle. If you are using this stuff for a car that is "dirty" check out optimum no rinse wash & wax and use it as a quick detailer in a spray bottle. the stuff comes concentrated and lasts a long time if you mix it properly.
I was going to suggest ONRWW also. Its best to use distilled water with it. If you youtube garry dean wash method and use ONRWW it will work wonders. It is cheap and can be used as a quick detailer. It was on sale for 16.99 a couple days ago but is now back up to 19.99. I posted the link as a reference
Definitely check out /r/AutoDetailing where I learned my method.
The way I do it:
Equipment:
1) Optimum no rinse I use the green version (the one linked) that has wax, but there's also a blue one without wax. Either one is fine I just prefer this one.
2) Bucket. Any clean one will do.
3) A shit ton of microfiber towels. The Rag Company is a popular brand to go with. I just go with a pack from costco and they work fine for me.
4) Spray bottle. 1-2.
5) Isopropyl alcohol. Dilute it down so it's 10-20% in concentration. Put it in the spray bottle or use a cup/bucket.
6) Nanoskin or clay. I use nanoskin so I linked that. Otherwise just get some clay. Most people in /r/autodetailing say any brand of clay is usually fine. I use nanoskin because it's a bit quicker and I have a new car so it works fine. Some people seem to say that clay gets your car a bit cleaner, but it's not worth the time trade off for me especially since my car is still new-ish so still clean.
7) Opti-seal. I like using this because it's quick, easy and works great. Gives a good shine too.
Washing:
1) Use the rinseless method. You'll find it in the wiki of autodetailing. To prep: dilute ONR down to the recommended amount in your bucket. Fill up spray bottle. Throw microfiber towels in the bucket in the rest of the solution. Ring out the towel so it's not sopping wet, but there's still solution. Fold the microfiber towels into four.
2) Work on only one car panel at a time. Spray the panel with the ONR. Wipe panel down firmly, but not really hard, with one side of your towel. Then turn to a different side of the towel. Do not re-use that side of your towel. Use a fresh side of the towel for every panel. Use a dry towel to wipe off that panel so there are no water streaks. Repeat until your car is washed. ONR works fine on glass too so you can just do your windows as well.
Rinseless washing is great when your car is mildly to semi-dirty. This means if it's mostly just dust on your car this is great. Otherwise if it's caked with mud this won't work. You'll have to go somewhere to hose your car off with water first so it's not as dirty.
Clay Bar/Nanoskin:
Note: This is only necessary if there are actually micro-contaminants. I would do it on a new car regardless since it has been sitting on a lot. On a normal basis you only need to do when your car doesn't feel glass smooth after a wash. Usually no more than 1-2 times a year.
1) Because you can also use ONR as your clay lube I just pour out my bottle of ONR spray back into the bucket and pour in enough ONR until it gets to the concentration needed. ONR says 2oz per gallon of water. Fill your spray bottle back up with the new concentration.
2) Here you'll be working with small sections of a panel at a time. I suggest you just look up a youtube video on how to clay a car. Basically though you spray the section, clay/nanoskin the section until smooth, and wipe off the section with a dry towel. Repeat for your whole car. Note that you'll have to massage the clay or wash off your nanoskin every so often to get rid of those contaminants.
Sealant/wax:
After you're done with claying your paint is clean so you'll want to put wax/sealant on it to protect it. It'll make your car nice and shiny too.
Start with an isopropyl alcohol wipe. What I do is dunk a towel in the alcohol solution and wipe down every panel and drying after it. You can also just fill another spray bottle with it and spray. This will get rid of oil/wax/sealant so the sealant goes directly on the paint. Then just apply the sealant/wax on following the instructions. With opti-seal you just spray and wipe. With some other items you'll need to apply and wait to cure and buff out any remaining wax/sealant.
For wheels and tires I suggest you just check out the wiki on autodetailing. I just simply wipe off the tires with ONR but ONR isn't the best at getting oil. I'm too lazy though to worry about it too much as long as the wheels look clean it's fine with me.
I'm lazy and do a rinseless wash 1-2 times (usually 1) a month. Some do it weekly. I put sealant on every 3-4 months or so. I've only clayed my current car once so far.
I have a few questions on ONR:
1.) Can I use regular tap water?
2.) What about the wax ONR stuff, is that any good? https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-NRWW2012Q-Rinse-Wash-Wax/dp/B00GG9FB8U/ But it seems like most people prefer the blue stuff?
3.) Does the ratio of ONR matter much ? Does it mess it up if I over-dose my ONR ?
4.) Can I use ONR on glass and everything?
People ask me how often I wash my car since it looks so clean. I tell them I don't. I just mix Optimum rinseless car wash with water in a spray bottle and wipe off with giant microfiber cloths. There's no rinsing involved. Maybe finish it off with Chemical Guys detailer spray.
https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-NRWW2012Q-Rinse-Wash-Wax/dp/B00GG9FB8U/ (Make sure to select Shipped/Sold by Amazon and not 3rd party).
Giant microfiber car towels: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H72YQV8/
Quick detailer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FALVU9Y
Why do you recommend the 2-bucket method over a rinseless wash? There's no need to wash your car the same way Henry Ford did. Technology has advanced since then. Soap suds are meant for cleaning fibers, like in clothing, carpet, and upholstery. It's not a good lubricant, which is what's needed for a car.
I say knock out the wash and wax with something like ONR or Wolfgang Concours.
All it takes is 2 gallons of distilled water and 1 oz. of product into a bucket with half a dozen microfiber towels. Wipe down 1 panel at a time, flipping the microfiber as needed to keep a clean side against the paint. The half dozen towels are to allow you to switch to a fresh towel whenever you need. About every panel or so depending on the size of the panel.
Follow up with a twisted loop drying towel.
What's superior about this method is that you can do it in the sun. It works on hot panels. It's spotless. And the dirt gets encapsulated in polymers when washing the vehicle. If it dries on the panel it comes off easy with another wipe of the solution.
I'd argue that a rinseless wash is superior to the traditional wash method in every possible way. Also, for what it's worth, I'm a professional detailer.
Due to water restrictions, I use Optima No Rinse , 2 bucket method with a Big Red Sponge. Works great and only use a few gallons of water.
ONR is the best for cleaning cars and motorcycles
ONR 32oz (I like the wash and wax) Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax - 32 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GG9FB8U/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_GTN4VXE48KV94V30FEZG
Big red sponge OPT 22516 Red Big Car Wash Sponge, 1 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078DPCYFV/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_7CD2MY1G9ZX8NMB6NEWR
5 gallon buckets https://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-5-Gal-Homer-Bucket-05GLHD2/100087613
Grit guards VIKING Car Wash Bucket Insert Grit Trap for Car Cleaning Wash and Detail Kits, Black, 2 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089DPR2G1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_T9M36M4G54098Y5G6M1X?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Microfiber drying towels Zwipes Auto 879-2 Professional Microfiber Waffle Drying Towel, 25 in. x 36 in, 2-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6KPL6Q/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_RQ904J2K41519ZC80QS8
Spray bottle https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-32-oz-E-Z-Fill-Spray-Bottle-U43008/308175872
Here's a good video on how to use everything above
Here's my list based on what I've liked and what works for me:
ONR with wax $21
Sprayway glass cleaner ($3)
Costco microfibers for general purpose and ext depending ($18)
Eagle edgeless for ONR and exterior cleaning ($20)
A few dollartree/dollarstore spray bottles (been using for years never an issue ($1 a piece)
Meguiars Hyperdressing ($50) -this is both your interior detailer (1:3,5mix) and exterior dressing (1:1 or 1:2 depending on sheen
Two five gallon buckets from home depot ($10)
Wash mit ($8-$10)
2 grit guarts ($20, $10 each)
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I think this puts you right around $150, if you want to be cheaper you could skip the eagle towels (some say costco are good enough for everything) and either buy a smaller portion of Hyperdressing or split it with a friend. I used this setup for years until I bought a power washer and other items like glass towels etc.
Last question, which one is better? This: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GG9FB8U
Or this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D8DR0AO
And would both work while using clay for decontamination?
No problem, also if your car isn't very dirty, You can always do an "optimum no rinse" wash . I like the green one (has wax in it)
Yeah I would have whoever is in charge of your fleet management look into bulk ONRWW and bulk micro fibers. Throw in a 5 gallon bucket with a bunch of towels and solution and leave it in the wash bay. Put another bucket next to it for dirty towels. I don't think you would need the most expensive towels as the cars are put the ringer anyways, but at least you can have a eco friendly, fast way to wash your vehicles and it would have protection on the paint. I don't know how big your agency is but have them put out a PO about vehicle maintenance and do some roll call training for each shift.
Most agencies I know use the swirl maker drive thru car washes on site for the city or else have contracts with local swirl drive thru car washes. If you have a department capable of doing this meaning an agency under 200 people it would probably be a good idea. You just have to be able to "sell" it to who ever does your purchasing or approves purchase orders.