No rinse car wash products revolutionized the car wash industry which is always looking for ways to distance itself from the reputation as one of the world’s industries that prominently contribute towards water wastage. Although these products may have provided a method for water conservation, doubts and concerns about their effectiveness are still circulating among vehicle owners. Are no rinse car wash products a worthy investment? Let’s find out.
What are no rinse car wash products?
As the name implies, no rinse car wash products are those that do not require rinsing after application. These products contain the polymer technology which surrounds dirt and removes it from the surface without causing any scratches. They also contain lubricants to facilitate the “sliding off” of dirt without damaging the vehicle. They are designed to be used on a variety of surfaces: Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine can be used on the paint safely while Meguiars Rinse Free Express Wash & Wax is suitable for the paint, glass, wheels, headlights, etc.
Using a no rinse car wash product
E.g. 1: Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine – one ounce of this product added to 2 gallons of water is sufficient to clean an entire car. Soak a microfiber towel in this solution and wash the car in sections. Use another microfiber towel to dry the surface.
E.g. 2: Meguiars Rinse Free Express Wash & Wax – Add a few ounces to a 5 gallon bucket and rinse the car using a microfiber towel or a wash mitt. Work in sections. In the end, use another microfiber towel to dry the car.
If you wash your car with a running hose, you will end up using up to 80 gallons of water! As evident in the above instructions, no rinse car wash products reduce that amount to a few gallons per car. There is also no toxic waste water as these formulas are made of non-toxic, biodegradable substances. Hence, these products tick all the right boxes when it comes to water conservation.
How effective are these products?
While no rinse car wash products are very effective in removing dirt, they are designed to be used as “quick detailers.” The main appeal of these products is that they are designed to be used anywhere, anytime. The cleaning process is hassle-free, mess-free, and less time consuming. If your vehicle has a light to moderate coat of dust, you will find that these products are ideal for you to achieve that “instant shine.” However, if your vehicle has not been washed for a month and contains layers of dirt and contaminants, you will need a more effective cleaning method such as steam cleaning. Also remember that although some no rinse car wash products claim to contain wax, they are not ideal substitutes for carnauba wax or paint sealant. While they may help the paint shine and facilitate water beading, it is doubtful whether they offer the same level of paint protection as a wax or a sealant. Hence we recommend using no rinse car wash products in between washes to maintain the appearance of the vehicle but do not forgo the most essential and fundamental auto detailing procedures.
Subscribe to DetailXPerts’ RSS Feed to receive updates about the latest car wash industry news.
