Diluting S&W

E

ekkoville

New member
Just like the title says. I thought I had seen where someone has diluted S&W. Is that advisable or would it compramise the lubricty too much? It seems so many products are dilutable, such as DP 4 in 1 or ONR. I know those are "rinseless" products and meant to be used that way, but I thought I would ask anyway.

Erik
 
To get a definite answer, I would have to do a search, but I'm pretty sure that S&W diluted with water was suggested as a QD a few years back. I just use it straight for any purpose.
 
From Poorboy: "Also for those who only want to use it for light dust, dilute it with water about 20-30%, and for people who are looking for more gloss at the same time, try using something like, QD+, UGE or FD instead of the water dilution."

From awd330: "For my general QD spray, I mix 3 parts S&W with 1 part Meg's Final Detail. This retains most of the cleaning power of S&W with the FD providing some added gloss."

Like I said, I use it straight, but it looks like several people do use it diluted.
 
Thanks for research on mix dilution rate, Charles W. I have three quarters of a gallon of Final Detail that will dilute just fine with my supply of S&W. Never had thought of doing a mix such as this. Thanks for the information from awd330 and your efforts to post it.
 
I use it straight up on dirty surfaces and see zero advantage to a dilution. Light dust, etc.? 70% S&W, 30% S&G.....Steve's mix, I didn't invent it.
 
Some advantages that might be gained seem to be:
1. Cost of final product.
2. Ease of use. e.g. faster drying, less chance of streaking.
3. A combination of products that gives a person the results they are looking for.

My thoughts on those:
1. When purchased by the gallon and used correctly, the cost per use is pretty reasonable so I don't bother with any dilution.
2. I don't have a problem with drying time or streaking so I don't bother with any dilution.
3. I'm quite happy with the results I get from the product as received so I don't bother with any dilution/mixing.

Obviously, I'm not very adventurous and could be missing out on a lot of good ideas. :D
 
The only times I've diluted it are with the S+G/S+W for a gloss boost with some dust removal and S+W/water for glass, just to experiment a bit. Otherwise I try to use it as is, since I'm concerned about too much loss of lubricity.
 
I use S&W for it's intended purpose and don't consider diluting it.
After cleaning with S&W I use a QD because the S&W does not leave it looking like I want but after the vehicle is clean a QD can be done real fast.
 
Thanks for all the replies. It seems like 70% S&W, 30% S&G could yield some good results. I think I will give it a try. Those that have used that ratio, would you say that light dust is the most you would be able to remove safely without marring?

Erik
 
Yep.

(But I haven't tried pushing it. I typically used it later in the day after I had already washed the car, to get rid of the bit of dust that blew around.)
 
I've seen people mix it with Quik Shine beofer, but I don't think I've sen them actually dilute it with water.
 
It can also be diluted 50:50 with water as a clay lube or for light dust ... 70:30 with Spray & Gloss does a nice job of cleaning and gloss. :)
 
Big Leegr said:
...S+W/water for glass, ...
Click to expand...

+1

That currently is my only use for diluted Spray & Wipe. Works just fine. If the S&W/water sprayer bottle is empty the bottle of straight S&W fills in nicely.

When used as a drying aid, I use it un-diluted.
 
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