Water free wash. Can it get dirt off without scratching?

[richard at home]

I see people using these instant detailers or water free washes on arrival at shows etc, but how do these not scratch paint when you're basically wiping grit about in a cloth?

I watched a guy from Chemical Brothers on YT saying about rolling the cloth as you go to lift off the dirt. He did that once and then carried on just wiping off like he was polishing the car!

Are they really only ok for cars that already have a good layer of wax/ceramic over the paintwork?

[Belle427]

I find them fine for a layer of light dust etc, that’s what they are designed for really but I must admit I don’t do it very often, maybe in the summer between washes.
Not noticed any marring to be honest.

[Chubbyross]

Yes, you will create some scratching but doing it once in a while on a lightly dusted car won’t be the end of the world. Your paintwork will never be 100% perfect, even if you’ve just carried out a paint correction. Driving your car will probably cause as many swirls as a once-in-while wipe down with a QD.

[Summit_Detailing]

The only way you won't see the damage being inflicted by 'waterless washes' is because your car already has swirls and other paint defects, so you won't see them being added too.

If I gave you a dirty panel or car, but defect free underneath I can guarantee you will see where you've been! - I know as I've tested it

Better to leave the car dirty than wash it poorly!

Cheers,

Chris

[richard at home]

Thought it sounded too good to be true!

It kind of makes me cringe when I see people wiping off their cars, but then I have a deep black car and it shows everything...

I'll stick with loads of water and snow foam washes.

I've noticed that a lot of airborne debris tends to stick to the paint, maybe due to the residues from the shampoos acting like glue.

[rjfp1962]

All washing scratches cars to a point, it's only the depth that varies...! The more careful you are the lesser the damage..
Water free wash systems may dilute the dirt, but ultimately it will initially be rubbed around the surface of the paintwork....

[richard at home]

rjfp1962 said:

All washing scratches cars to a point, it's only the depth that varies...! The more careful you are the lesser the damage..
Water free wash systems may dilute the dirt, but ultimately it will initially be rubbed around the surface of the paintwork....

Yep. I think washing the grit off the car with loads of water really helps avoid scratching as much as possible, compared to picking it up into a cloth and then rubbing it all over the paint!