Optimum No Rinse Wash impressions

I became an ONR convert a few weeks back. I'm using a white / white schmitt with excellent results, yes it gets mucky but it cleans up really easily & the rinse bucket is testament to where the nasty dirt ends up.



I would echo dervdave's comment about prices in the UK, we pay through the nose. I do wish ONR was available in gallons here though, long term it would save me a few bob.
 
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Welcome to Autopia, right? In order to use this new wash stuff, I need to get some new wash sponges! Can I use my existing towels?? Is it ok my garage floor is ugly concrete?
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Alright, I'll try a grout sponge... I guess I'll need to do some searching to see which ones work well, as I'm sure something like that probably runs the gamut in terms of quality.



Just to answer a few questions, very little water runs on the ground the way I wash. So I doubt much dirt is ending up there. And I like a car to be shiney and slick after a wash. But the thing I like most, is for it to be clean after a wash, and to have been cleaned safely. Seeing the dirt go nowhere except into the wash media doesn't give me a good feeling about that. If I want it shiney and slick, I can use something post-wash. As to using the right amount, I believe I have. I also posted the amount used, so please correct me if I misread the label.



Thanks for the suggestions. The offer to trade is for real though if anyone is local. While maybe my experience will be much more favorable with a different wash media, I have no complaints about QEW (well except the customer service incident) and can use that with my current wash media. ;)
 
I'm sorry to hear about your impressions about ONR. It does take sometime getting used to the smell and the weird feeling on your wash media. I personally enjoy using it when it's too cold out to wash or we have water restrictions. I also like it's versatility as a quick detailer and clay lube.



If you really don't like it, I will gladly take it off your hands.
 
Since ONR encapsulates dirt, which helps keep it off the paint surface, the result is that the dirt winds up encapsulated in the wash media and it does not rinse out easily. This is a well known fact when using ONR.



If it is that bothersome to you, you can have a separate wash bucket with normal soap in it, which will help remove the dirt from the wash media. Then you will need to rinse the soap from this bucket with fresh water, which may result in diluting the ONR mix. It's not worth it to me.



I use an extra thick MF wash mitt that works quite well with ONR.



Rinse the mitt out with regular car soap after you are done using the ONR, and it will be clean next time you use it.
 
Aurora40 said:
willy_nilly.gif
Welcome to Autopia, right? In order to use this new wash stuff, I need to get some new wash sponges!
Click to expand...



:nixweiss Look on the bright side, I had to buy a rotary to properly use Meguiars #105.
 
A grout sponge is about $2 and lasts at least 50 washes and probably up to about 200. That's pretty inexpensive in my mind.
 
Worst case you could use it as a lubricant for your clay, works very good. You can also add a capful to your regular car wash soap, as it acts as a water softener
 
DoingItWrong6.jpg




Just a little comedy!



I recommend a different media as well. Flexibility is KEY when trying new things unless you have the "if it ain't broke.." mentality. Then you'd just use old faithful, amirite? Customer satisfaction is important in this economy: you may return the product to the retailer or even contact OPT with your concerns. I look at it like this: there are certain foods that my tummy doesn't agree with. No matter how good they taste, I avoid them because of the inconvenience.



I personally use and like ONR very much, but have had similar frustrations from other products. If you are willing to try a different method, you may be surprised that you like ONR, otherwise you'll have not trouble selling or returning it.:bestwish
 
Bigpikle said:
I have an almost identical mitt and stopped using it with ONR washes as it does seems to be a challenge to get clean. I now tend to either use a plush MF like the Eurows, or a grout sponge. I have just got some Zymol sponges and plan to also try those. Sponges do clean out more easily but ONR does make it a little harder to clean out your wash media for sure. PNR has impressed me right from the first use with how well it cleans muck from my paint though - absolutely NO complaints in that arena :thumb:
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I'm with you on this one Bigpikle. I love the Zymol sponges. I have nothing agains grout sponges, been using them since 20+ years ago when I was in construction. The Zymol sponges seem softer and absorb water quicker. Unfortunately, they cost a lot more and they rip easily and turn brown and hard after one season if I don't let them dry off right away. So when I ONR with a sponge, it's the grout sponge. Otherwise, I usually ONR wash with the Eurow Shag mf's. I got ten 10-packs when they were still cheap. BTW, I ONR wash with a one bucket double grit gaurd set up. I hope this helps a bit.
 
This guy demo's ONR on a still-new Ferrari (he says it's only got 200 miles)...



Optimum No Rinse Demo



He pretty much uses ONR the way I use it although I load up my MF towel with lots more solution than he does. That and he's using 1 oz to 1 gallon, while I mix 1 oz to 2 gal per instructions on container.
 
Holden_C04 said:
A grout sponge is about $2 and lasts at least 50 washes and probably up to about 200. That's pretty inexpensive in my mind.
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The MF covered foam pads I get at Big Lots are $2 each and I have some I bought a year ago that have literally washed hundreds of cars and probably washed close to 100 times now. I am amazed how well they hold up. Not a single one has even split a seam.
 
^^I never knew they were that good Scott. I guess theres another reason to visit Big Lots. Last time I was there I bought a Creeper chair to roll around in lol
 
Seems like the OP is way too closed minded for help here. I'm not sure why you guys are even bothering with replies.



I've personally had great results with ONR and the Lowe's GS.



From the looks of it it might be time for a new wool mit anyways. Perhaps that's the problem?
 
The Eurow MF's make really good ONR wash media. They hold a ton of solution, and they have so much suface area that they do a really good job of holding on to dirt instead of just pushing it around and leaving it on the surface of the car.



Their deep, soft nap also makes them great for drying after ONR'ing.



I've posted in the past that I've had some degree of marring with ONR. Since I've switched over to using the Eurows with ONR, I'm only getting marring (and not very much) on really soft clears. I can ONR my own cars with zero marring now. This makes Supe very happy. :)



Sorry if the Eurow MF horse has been beaten to death, but... they really are amazing towels.
 
integritydetail said:
DoingItWrong6.jpg




Just a little comedy!



I recommend a different media as well. Flexibility is KEY when trying new things unless you have the "if it ain't broke.." mentality. Then you'd just use old faithful, amirite? Customer satisfaction is important in this economy: you may return the product to the retailer or even contact OPT with your concerns. I look at it like this: there are certain foods that my tummy doesn't agree with. No matter how good they taste, I avoid them because of the inconvenience.



I personally use and like ONR very much, but have had similar frustrations from other products. If you are willing to try a different method, you may be surprised that you like ONR, otherwise you'll have not trouble selling or returning it.:bestwish
Click to expand...



I just blew steaming hot coffee out of my nose, thanks alot!



I'm an avid archer and gun enthusiast, so I'm printing this one up and hanging it on the wall in the garage. Thanks for the laugh!
 
Well...



1.) ONR should feel somewhat slimy, as this provides lubrication/encapsulation which carries away the unwanted dirt particles from the surface. This is a good slime.



2.) ONR binds the dirt to the wash media intentionally. You should change mitts as needed. When the mitts would release the dirt into the rinse bucket, it would end in the storm drains, and the whole environmental responsibility would be BS. When you wash your mitts in your machine the dirt goes to the right place where water can be treated/purified.



3.) ONR softens water, so the bigger particles just sink to the bottom of the bucket. Built-in grit guard in the wash solution. Smaller particles end up in the wash media.



4.) Softer water cooperates well with ONR. ONR's actives bond to the minerals of hard waters, therefore you may add more ONR to harder waters. DI/distilled water have no such minerals and the cleaning/protecting power of ONR can be exploited without weakening. These kind of waters will feel slimier than tap water.



5.) Smell is a subjective factor, doesn't count here; product performance does.



6.) ONR may lose its color when the sun hits it directly, but this won't affect its performance.



7.) Using significantly more than the recommended dosage won't multiply ONR's performance; it will work effectively with the recommended amounts. You can still fine tune the dosage to your exact needs (soiling of the vehicle, water hardness, wash media type, etc.).
 
Bence said:
Well...



1.) ONR should feel somewhat slimy, as this provides lubrication/encapsulation which carries away the unwanted dirt particles from the surface. This is a good slime.



2.) ONR binds the dirt to the wash media intentionally. You should change mitts as needed. When the mitts would release the dirt into the rinse bucket, it would end in the storm drains, and the whole environmental responsibility would be BS. When you wash your mitts in your machine the dirt goes to the right place where water can be treated/purified.



3.) ONR softens water, so the bigger particles just sink to the bottom of the bucket. Built-in grit guard in the wash solution. Smaller particles end up in the wash media.



4.) Softer water cooperates well with ONR. ONR's actives bond to the minerals of hard waters, therefore you may add more ONR to harder waters. DI/distilled water have no such minerals and the cleaning/protecting power of ONR can be exploited without weakening. These kind of waters will feel slimier than tap water.



5.) Smell is a subjective factor, doesn't count here; product performance does.



6.) ONR may lose its color when the sun hits it directly, but this won't affect its performance.



7.) Using significantly more than the recommended dosage won't multiply ONR's performance; it will work effectively with the recommended amounts. You can still fine tune the dosage to your exact needs (soiling of the vehicle, water hardness, wash media type, etc.).
Click to expand...



I learned that the hard/expensive way. I used to double the recommended amount. There has been zero change in it's effectiveness since I started using it at the recommended dosages. It seems to leave a glossier finish when used at normal amounts, too. Hopefully Optimum will correct the dosage instructions on the gallon jug someday. Until then, I'm using a squeeze tube measuring cup to get the right amount.
 
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