Washing car with little water? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 05-22-2024, 07:25 PM

Is there a way to do that if the paint and chrome are pristine? Last I knew dirt scratches paint, yet there are all kinds of "waterless products". Seems those are a risk. My truck only sees dust, high desert.

No getting around spraying the brake dust off the wheels it would seem. I've only washed the truck once so far. Mother's soap, water, followed by Ammo "paint moisturizer", which is nice stuff.

**Sheepdip** · 05-23-2024, 12:46 AM

I use Sprayway Ammonia Free Foaming Glass Cleaner on all my cars and the paint still looks and shines like new. Buy it by the case at Dollar General. This paint job is 20 years old now

67C10Step · 05-23-2024, 08:10 AM

^^^I started using Sprayway glass cleaner a few years ago and have expanded its use to the rubber floor mat in my 67, and also isn't bad as a first step oil and grease remover when prepping for paint.

Mid-Pack · 05-23-2024, 09:49 AM

I`ve been using waterless cleaners for some time. Currently using Turtle Wax Ceramic 3-in-1 Detailer (waterless cleaner) with great results. Use a 300 to 500 gsm microfiber towel, preferable 500. Lifts the dirt off and leaves a smooth, slippery protected finish. Best results when applying in shade with a cool body surface. Turtle Wax has stepped up their game and makes quality products now, with great reviews. You can use it on wheels, too.
I`ve also used Meguiar`s Waterless wash & wax with great results.
Of course, it depends how much dirt your talking about. Too much, then soap and water is a must. Overall, I find it less work and less time consuming to maintain the cleaning of your car. Rather than letting the dirt accumulate and having to completely wash the vehicle.

Dead Parrot · 05-23-2024, 11:33 PM

Use an air compressor blow gun to blow the dust off. Dust blown off is dust not scratching anything if you have to do more.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 05-25-2024, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered the sprayway ammonia free. Will suit the engine bay and undercarriage too. Good idea about blowing it off first. I use my shop blower vac.

**Sheepdip** · 05-25-2024, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered the sprayway ammonia free. Will suit the engine bay and undercarriage too.

Engine Bay/Motor I use "LA's Totally Awesome" at 100% strength not diluted. It's an amazing degreaser, get it at Dollar General or Amazon. Also ammonia free.

https://www.amazon.com/128oz-Refills...bJg1M4IhmYMQEl

LT7A · Today, 07:45 AM

Interesting info here. I can't quite get to where I don't think that water is still beneficial to lifting away dirt, but some of you guys are showing great results and some may live where water washing is restricted. Thanks for this info. I like the grease cutter info too. I use Dawn dish detergent in a spray bottle about 1:20 with water. Works well on moderately oily stuff. I see now that Dawn also makes a heavy duty degreaser that I'll have to try.

05-22-2024, 07:25 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,160	Washing car with little water? Is there a way to do that if the paint and chrome are pristine? Last I knew dirt scratches paint, yet there are all kinds of "waterless products". Seems those are a risk. My truck only sees dust, high desert. No getting around spraying the brake dust off the wheels it would seem. I've only washed the truck once so far. Mother's soap, water, followed by Ammo "paint moisturizer", which is nice stuff. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring the truck from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s details, OEM identifications & part numbers, written in short order. 700+ images of assm., illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

05-23-2024, 12:46 AM	#2
Sheepdip Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Waterford California Posts: 2,403	Re: Washing car with little water? I use Sprayway Ammonia Free Foaming Glass Cleaner on all my cars and the paint still looks and shines like new. Buy it by the case at Dollar General. This paint job is 20 years old now Attached Images

05-23-2024, 08:10 AM	#3
67C10Step Registered User Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Beebe, AR Posts: 2,441	Re: Washing car with little water? ^^^I started using Sprayway glass cleaner a few years ago and have expanded its use to the rubber floor mat in my 67, and also isn't bad as a first step oil and grease remover when prepping for paint. __________________ 1967 C10 1980 Jeep CJ5 2020 Toyota 4Runner 2024 Toyota Tundra

05-23-2024, 09:49 AM	#4
Mid-Pack Registered User Join Date: May 2021 Location: SoCal Posts: 117	Re: Washing car with little water? I`ve been using waterless cleaners for some time. Currently using Turtle Wax Ceramic 3-in-1 Detailer (waterless cleaner) with great results. Use a 300 to 500 gsm microfiber towel, preferable 500. Lifts the dirt off and leaves a smooth, slippery protected finish. Best results when applying in shade with a cool body surface. Turtle Wax has stepped up their game and makes quality products now, with great reviews. You can use it on wheels, too. I`ve also used Meguiar`s Waterless wash & wax with great results. Of course, it depends how much dirt your talking about. Too much, then soap and water is a must. Overall, I find it less work and less time consuming to maintain the cleaning of your car. Rather than letting the dirt accumulate and having to completely wash the vehicle.

05-23-2024, 11:33 PM	#5
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,503	Re: Washing car with little water? Use an air compressor blow gun to blow the dust off. Dust blown off is dust not scratching anything if you have to do more.

05-25-2024, 01:53 PM	#6
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,160	Re: Washing car with little water? Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered the sprayway ammonia free. Will suit the engine bay and undercarriage too. Good idea about blowing it off first. I use my shop blower vac. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring the truck from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s details, OEM identifications & part numbers, written in short order. 700+ images of assm., illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 05-25-2024 at 04:08 PM.

Today, 07:45 AM	#8
LT7A Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: PNW Posts: 3,543	Re: Washing car with little water? Interesting info here. I can't quite get to where I don't think that water is still beneficial to lifting away dirt, but some of you guys are showing great results and some may live where water washing is restricted. Thanks for this info. I like the grease cutter info too. I use Dawn dish detergent in a spray bottle about 1:20 with water. Works well on moderately oily stuff. I see now that Dawn also makes a heavy duty degreaser that I'll have to try.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.