What suggestions are out there for a "waterless" solution or method for cars? Title is wrong*

Just had my wife's ride cermaic coated and wanting to reduce the amount of washes it gets in the car wash.

Rolling it out in the driveway and doing a full sponge scrub can be too time consuming. Most of the time it just needs a wipe down that can be done in the garage, 1 panel at a time.

What say ye?

I've used Chemical Guys waterless car wash spray. It gets the job done. Griot's and Adams have similar products you can buy in gallon containers for like $40.

I also use Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer both post-wash and in between washes when the cars just need a quick wipe down. That's my go-to right now for keeping the cars free from light road grime.

https://www.amazon.com/California-Car-Duster-62442-Standard/dp/B00008RW9U/ref=asc_df_B00008RW9U?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063550909&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207589851457&th=1

I have one of those, and it's great in between car washes, to brush the dust off, and show the shine again.

I don't buy the whole "it lifts dirt to the surface blah blah blah".

Just hand wash it. This old man considers it snake oil... and I can't be bought.

Get the exercise... hand wash it.

Edit: I've owned a California Duster for 20+ years... but still hand wash my 986. Her G80... Quick Quack.

Not waterless, but with my ceramic coating I've found that I can foam it and rinse it off two or three times between contact washes unless it gets really dirty.

I've created a "waterless" spray out of a rinseless product, Wolfgang. However, I don't recommend it unless the car is just dusty and you're using it reasonably often, like multiple times a week. I don't use it on my pickup now because it is a bit of a pain, but when I had my car, I'd do a rinseless early in the week, and then keep up some areas with a waterless after using the California duster. But, honestly, I got to where I rarely even did that as it only took me about 20 minutes to run through the car with the rinseless product.

I keep heavier concentrations of Wolfgang and ONR in place for dealing with bird droppings and the initial cleaning of car windows, usually during spring/summer weather. If the car is even remotely dirty, I use a traditional wash. I may run to the car wash for a quick wash and rinse (no agitation), then rinseless with mitts, if the car is just a little dirtier than I like when using the Wolfgang, but I've found getting out my hose is about as fast.

AgGrad99 said:

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https://www.amazon.com/California-Car-Duster-62442-Standard/dp/B00008RW9U/ref=asc_df_B00008RW9U?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063550909&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207589851457&th=1

I have one of those, and it's great in between car washes, to brush the dust off, and show the shine again.

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Wouldn't this scratch the **** out of the paint?

It doesnt.

It's not for washing dirt off...but just gets the dust off the few days after you clean the car.

Not 100% sure but is it not advised not to use a car wash with a ceramic coated vehicle? Or just PPF?

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Just had my wife's ride cermaic coated and wanting to reduce the amount of washes it gets in the car wash.

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I hope you plan on reducing by 100%. Ceramic will be gone after just a couple of passes through a commercial car wash

The detailer that has done a couple of ceramic coating jobs for me recommended optimum no rinse. I've used it quite a bit and it's very easy if you're going to take the time to hand wash your vehicle.

Thanks for the recommendations.

I loaded up on chemical guys products with a waterless wash product and then a foam cannon wash product that's suited for cars with ceramic coating.

Will give it a go this weekend since she's already found some puddles to drive through on her commute.

I've used both Optum No Rinse and Chemical Guy's, I slightly prefer Chemical Guy's, but I don't think there is a noticeable performance difference between the two.

Got the chemical guys stuff in today. Even the foam cannon still requires you to really wipe the car down.

Granted, her car had the "dirty road mist" all over it so I feel like touchless never gets that crap off. Just gotta wipe and wipe.

I will say, the ceramic coat is magical. Water just beads right off.

CavitationAG said:

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The detailer that has done a couple of ceramic coating jobs for me recommended optimum no rinse.

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The guy that has done ceramic coating for me recommended the same, but I still do the traditional pressure washer, foam cannon, microfiber mitt, pressure washer rinse, and microfiber dry.

I recently discovered large microfiber drying towels. I use 2 or 3 to dry a whole car instead of 5ish of the small ones. Much quicker with the large ones.

What kind of car? I usually foam cannon, 2 bucket wash, rinse, blower, towel, Adam's graphine spray finish. I keep a bucket of ONR in the garage and wipe down 1-2x week. That's for my TLX

Wife's Denali gets the 24.99 unlimited tunnel wash. Ain't nobody got time for dat

FIDO*98* said:

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What kind of car? I usually foam cannon, 2 bucket wash, rinse, blower, towel, Adam's graphine spray finish. I keep a bucket of ONR in the garage and wipe down 1-2x week. That's for my TLX

Wife's Denali gets the 24.99 unlimited tunnel wash. Ain't nobody got time for dat

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Wagoneer. It takes time. lol

But the clear coat is so soft on it that it showed swirls after like 5 tunnel washes. Just got it ceramic coated.

Still a big fan of the ONR with the Garry Dean wash method (always using a clean microfiber on each section).

dodger02 said:

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I've used Chemical Guys waterless car wash spray. It gets the job done. Griot's and Adams have similar products you can buy in gallon containers for like $40.

I also use Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer both post-wash and in between washes when the cars just need a quick wipe down. That's my go-to right now for keeping the cars free from light road grime.

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Same. Works really well unless the vehicle is really dirty. Then I pre-wash, then use CG waterless spray.