No more water spots

[dkosawa]

Even though I live in an area where the city water isn't very "hard", i always end up with water spots after washing my LMB M3. To minimize spots I would use the water sheeting technique, using water to remove as much water before drying. I used expensive microfiber towels to dry whatever water was left. Still ended up with water marks. So I thought I wasn't drying fast enough...ok, so I started using a leaf blower. This in conjunction with having an opticoat coating helped drastically, but it wasn't perfect. I still would have a few water spots.

Recently I came across a post that described a method of retrofitting a shower water filter to a garden hose. It seemed cheap and easy enough, so I gave it a try. I attached it to my pressure washer this last weekend, and to my amazement it worked. I didn't notice any reduction in water pressure, and like I said it worked -- no water spots!

I can't wait to try it again this weekend to verify it wasn't a fluke.

Here's a link to the original post that describes the installation of the shower filter. I also included some pics of my setup.

http://www.mnmazda.com/forum/showthr...-water-spots!)

[JR M3]

Such a great post. I thought about doing the same thing for a while now just never got around to it. I will definitely buy a filter now

[OilPatch]

Dude this is brilliant! I've been scratching my head trying to figure a way out to get better water out of the garden hose without spending a fortune. My car will be the same color as yours and I live in a city with very hard water, this method will be a life savor, thank you!

[spdy330]

Let us know how it works after a few washes. I use the CR Spotless DIC-20 and it is amazing yet expensive to operate.

[dkosawa]

Originally Posted by spdy330

Let us know how it works after a few washes. I use the CR Spotless DIC-20 and it is amazing yet expensive to operate.

Sure, no problem.

[rjd598]

creative to say the least

[GOLFFRR]

nice!

[Z K]

That is a great idea!! Why didn't anyone figure this out sooner? Beats using the expensive car wash water filters.

[spdy330]

Creative is right but I would like to see how long these filters last and how much they cost.

My CR SPotless refills are about $75.00 and I can get a little over 20 washes out of the system before needing to purchase another refill.

I could probably get more washes out of it if only washing a compact car but I use it for my full size truck and mini-van as well as my E90.

[Z K]

It is actually surprising this doesn't reduce water pressure. Those small filters are designed for shower heads moving 2.5 GPM... not a garden hose which can flow at least 10x as much water.

[In Extremis]

Originally Posted by spdy330

Let us know how it works after a few washes. I use the CR Spotless DIC-20 and it is amazing yet expensive to operate.

Thats what I was thinking, a few washes will be the test as the filter gets used. It still might be cheaper to replace with a shower filter every few washes instead of the more expensive reverse osmosis/cartridge filter systems. I've been wanting to buy one of the cr spotless products but am hesitant due to the frequency of cartridge changes and the fact that the unit can get moldy if not emptied/kept in the right environment.

[dkosawa]

Originally Posted by Z K

It is actually surprising this doesn't reduce water pressure. Those small filters are designed for shower heads moving 2.5 GPM... not a garden hose which can flow at least 10x as much water.

I must not notice it because my cheapo electric pressure washer only does 1.5GPM. I took a video of myself washing my car this afternoon. I'll make it available here shortly so you can see what kind of throughput i'm getting out of it.

[spdy330]

The CR SPotless is amazing and if you wash your cars weekly I don't see you with a mold problem. The mold issue is only if you use it once in a while.

Originally Posted by jordanE92

Thats what I was thinking, a few washes will be the test as the filter gets used. It still might be cheaper to replace with a shower filter every few washes instead of the more expensive reverse osmosis/cartridge filter systems. I've been wanting to buy one of the cr spotless products but am hesitant due to the frequency of cartridge changes and the fact that the unit can get moldy if not emptied/kept in the right environment.

[Lorde]

Seriously.

[dkosawa]

So today I received the foam cannon (MTM Gen2) that I purchased from Chemical Guys, and couldn't resist giving it a try. I decided to take a video of my first experience with it. As for the water spots, well, still no water spots!!

It will be interesting to see how long the filter lasts.

Here's today's video of me washing my car using the MTM Gen2 foam cannon for the first time:

[skins333]

That is money!!! Thanks for making the video as well. Will def have to look into.

[THE TECH]

I'd want a TDS reading after each use to see how the filter is lasting. With as much wash water is used each time, I have a hard time believing that this will wash a car more than one or two times without seeing an appreciable degradation of the filtering ability.

I looked at a ton of options before finally doing a full two stage setup.

[spdy330]

+1 on TDS readings.

A TDS meter can be purchased pretty cheap on eBay.

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I'd want a TDS reading after each use to see how the filter is lasting. With as much wash water is used each time, I have a hard time believing that this will wash a car more than one or two times without seeing an appreciable degradation of the filtering ability.

I looked at a ton of options before finally doing a full two stage setup.

[dkosawa]

Originally Posted by spdy330

+1 on TDS readings.

A TDS meter can be purchased pretty cheap on eBay.

Ok...just bought one online. I'll update you guys with the results sometime next week.

[Chriskm3]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I'd want a TDS reading after each use to see how the filter is lasting. With as much wash water is used each time, I have a hard time believing that this will wash a car more than one or two times without seeing an appreciable degradation of the filtering ability.

I looked at a ton of options before finally doing a full two stage setup.

Agree. These Filters have been out for a few years now but mostly used commercially due to refill costs. Not to mention their large physical filter size for that reason alone. The first few washes will be nice. Just enough to convince you to do a small write up on the forum somewhere and provide great mouth to mouth advertisement. Keep up posted on number of washes before a refill is due. Until then. Stay clean

[dmk08]

Nice wash..

I always spray on a coat of foam, let it fizz a few minutes, spray it off, and apply another coat of foam. I then two bucket wash with the second coat of foam on the car. I just fill the soap bucket with foam from the cannon. I use Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II and it seems about the same foaminess.

I was given this method by the owner of Peach State Detail who did my paint correction. Works really well. I have not had water spotting issues since having Opticoat pro applied.

[dkosawa]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Nice wash..

I always spray on a coat of foam, let it fizz a few minutes, spray it off, and apply another coat of foam. I then two bucket wash with the second coat of foam on the car. I just fill the soap bucket with foam from the cannon. I use Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II and it seems about the same foaminess.

I was given this method by the owner of Peach State Detail who did my paint correction. Works really well. I have not had water spotting issues since having Opticoat pro applied.

Thx, and your process definitely seems legit, but one of the reasons that I bought the foam cannon was to reduce the amount of time that I spend washing my car.

Have you ever tried Adam's wash in your foam cannon?

I'm going to give it a try...my hope is that it will foam just as well, but hopefully add more lubricity. I couldn't help but think I was scratching my clearcoat during that last wash with the CG Honey Dew foam from the cannon. I could feel a little bit of friction when washing with the wash mit, something that i've never felt when using the two bucket system with Adams soap. If switching to Adam's soap doesn't end up working, I might have to try your method.