Portable Water Sprayer ... how many gallons

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oak3x

New member
Living in a condo complex which provides no outside hose...it is a challenge to wash my car. Typically, I have had to drive to the self-serve car wash.



Thinking about purchasing a Portable Sprayer, to wet / rinse the car. In looking at Amazon, there are a variety of models...from pump style to backpack style.



My question is what gallon capacity to purchase... On average, how many gallons of water is necessary to wash / rinse an average size car (2, 3, 4 Gallons).



Any ideas or thoughts on this topic would be greatly appreciated



An example of what I am looking at is:



Amazon.com: SP Systems SP2 4-Gallon 70 psi Professional Backpack Sprayer #SP2: Home Improvement
 
'Hello!\r\n\r\nLet me propose to you a package which may fit your needs at a cheaper price. \r\n\r\n1. Buy some ONR Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine 128 oz. . It is a versatile product and you will not have to worry about water run-off issues.\r\n\r\n2. I just purchased this 1 gallon sprayer Amazon.com: Chapin SureSpray 1-Gallon Sprayer #20010: Home Improvement. You can mix a solution of ONR in your sprayer and pre-treat your surface before washing. I\'ve learned through searching that a lot of members here use this method.\r\n\r\n3. Buy two buckets, one for your solution, and one for getting the grit from your wash tool.\r\n\r\n4. As far as a wash tool, a lot of people go to Home Depot and buy grout sponges. They are really cheap and I understand do as good a job as more expensive wash tools. I just ordered one of these The ShMITT Multi-purpose Foam Mitts because I heard it also does a good job. Some people use mf towels. There is no cut and dry technique here.\r\n\r\n5. As far a tires, wheels/wheel wells, some people use grout sponges. I use a long handled wheel brush which allows me to get into the wheel wells.\r\n\r\n6. Finally, based on recommendations here, I purchased one of these The Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Drying Towel by Cobra is a medium size drying towel for cars, compact trucks and SUVs. for drying. It is made of a high-quality MF which will not mar your surface.\r\n\r\nAll of these things will probably cost less than the sprayer you are looking to purchase and will do a great job on helping you maintain your car. Good luck and let us know how you resolve your issue. :bigups'
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
Are you washing with ONR or hoping to wash with a bucket traditional style and use the sprayer as your "hose" source....?
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From reading his post, it sounds like he wants to do a traditional bucket style wash. Using a sprayer to rinse a car off sounds like a rather laborious (sp?) task. I saw on Autopia several months ago an website about a device that holds 5-10 gallons of water and by plugging it into your 12v cigarette lighter, you could get the pressure of a typical house hold hose. That may be an easier task for him. I remember Danase talking about it but cannot remember what it was called.
 
For most of the year, when the car is just semi-dirty, I plan to do a regular wash process...



For the upcoming winter months, I am planning to try the Optimum No Rinse Wash.
 
From a former apartment dweller for many years. Stick with ONR, it's so much easier. I've tried to do a regular wash with buckets of water but it's a huge pain. If it gets too dirty for an ONR wash go to a coin op and rinse it off then come home and do an ONR wash. You could have get a few gallons of ONR for the price of that sprayer.
 
spraying the car off at the car wash and then doing an onr wash, i bet, would get you the best results. onr is definitely very effective, but for me it'll never replace how the pressure from a hose will blast away the dirt from body seams, wheels, tires, and wheel wells. that sprayer you were looking at on amazon might work good too, but if the car's pretty dirty you might have to refill it. the sprayer would be good for wheels and tires, but to hose off soapy wash water i doubt if you want to refill it that many times.
 
Using a 1 gallon sprayer with ONR works incredibly well, any season. However, the same sprayer with traditional soap will leave you frustrated.
 
NSXTASY said:
Using a 1 gallon sprayer with ONR works incredibly well, any season. However, the same sprayer with traditional soap will leave you frustrated.
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Is there enough liquid being pushed onto the car by using a sprayer and ONR. I would think if the car is really dirty and full of salt that you wouldn't have enough water and would scratch the paint.



What is the process? I am assuming you use the same mixture as if you were using a traditional bucket. Then do you spray the car and use either a wash mit or sponge to wipe the dirt off?



Seems like you would just be moving a little dirt around. I have never used ONR so maybe I am missing something.



BTW I also live in a condo.
 
ryan87500 said:
Is there enough liquid being pushed onto the car by using a sprayer and ONR. I would think if the car is really dirty and full of salt that you wouldn't have enough water and would scratch the paint.



What is the process? I am assuming you use the same mixture as if you were using a traditional bucket. Then do you spray the car and use either a wash mit or sponge to wipe the dirt off?



Seems like you would just be moving a little dirt around. I have never used ONR so maybe I am missing something.



BTW I also live in a condo.
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1 gallon of water in the sprayer/2 oz. of ONR. 1 or two buckets with 2 gallons in each (2 buckets if the car is filthy) with 1 oz. of ONR. 2-3 Mitts/Media (Chenille, SS, GS, MF). I presoak the panel well, it helps to use hot water in the winter, dip my wash media, wash, dry. I then comeback with OCW/Souv. Spray wax/Z8 and I'm done.



I do wheels/wells and tires first with Duragloss soap using a 1/3 of a grout sponge, then rinse with the ONR sprayer. Dress tires/wells, proceed to wash the body of the car.



When it's 15 degrees out, my car is salty like a pretzel, *if* there is a little marring, oh well (I havent experienced ANY). I cant do a traditional wash, and I have automaticcarwashaphobia.
 
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