Water softener

[Simpo Two]

Having given my new car its first wash yesterday before a show today, I was plagued with watermarks. Some of this may have been because I started trying to dry the car with a hot air blower but it was too slow and before I'd finished the back, the bonnet was starting to dry.

However, it got me wondering whether a water softener would help. I don't have room for a proper one but is there any type than could live in the garage and give hard water in > soft water out via hoses?

[langtounlad]

https://raceglaze.co.uk/shop/race-glaze-car-care-e...

I have this and get approx 1 year use before the need to refill - washing 2x cars (approx 1x per week in the good weather, less often in the winter)

[Robertb]

I've got one of the raceglaze ones... its really good!

Not tried refilling it yet, not sure of the procedure.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks folks - was hoping for something a bit less expensive TBH...!

[Magic919]

Have a look at Spotless Water. If they are near you, you’ll just need a couple of suitable containers.

[NDA]

Simpo Two said:

Having given my new car its first wash yesterday before a show today, I was plagued with watermarks. Some of this may have been because I started trying to dry the car with a hot air blower but it was too slow and before I'd finished the back, the bonnet was starting to dry.

However, it got me wondering whether a water softener would help. I don't have room for a proper one but is there any type than could live in the garage and give hard water in > soft water out via hoses?

Water softeners definitely help - I used one for a few years. You could, from memory, just let the water dry out in the sunshine without spots.

I used something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AQUA-CREST-Dedicated-Clea...

ETA, reviews on this one are not too good - but hunt around for similar.

[acricha3]

You can build a DIY solution for not much effort.

Raceglaze is just a mixed bed DI resin in a window cleaning resin bottle with some stickers ..........The biggest user of mixed bed DI resin systems are spotless window cleaning, followed very closely by aquariums who want pure water so there are plenty of options out there!

You can buy either premade aquarium resin systems or DI resin bottles of various capacities for anywhere between 50 and 100 quid, a bigger vessel just means longer before you have to change the resin, resin lifespan is more dependant on how hard the water is you are filtering that quality.

A 5 litre bag of tulsion mixed bed DI resin is about 35 quid. Make sure you buy mixed bed and NOT water softener resin as that just exchanges the calcium for sodium and you will still get spotting.

[moneypits]

I've used one for about a year now and it really is good. The main thing is not to use too much water, just shift the existing hard water from the final rinse so it's only the filtered stuff remaining. Never had any water spots since. If you ceramic coat the car you should be able to have a gentle foam, power off and then a filtered rinse.

I'll check what I bought when I get home but it's one of the blue upright things. Wasn't Race Glaze though but there's a lot to be said for making your own if you've the access and the container to start with.

[matt5964]

Robertb said:

I've got one of the raceglaze ones... its really good!

Not tried refilling it yet, not sure of the procedure.

Another vote for the raceglaze units, great bits of kit

[Belle427]

I have one too but only use it for the final rinse and the house windows but it is great for just a quick rinse down in the summer when you dont want to drag everything out.
Mine has lasted a few years but I don`t use it all the time and our water is pretty good, not sure where people buy their resin from but some places are not too bad last time I looked.

[Smint]

Just a thought haven't tried this myself.

Buy deionised water in 20 litre tubs and literally just splosh the stuff about the body work after the final rinse.


Alternatively, i use a pressure washer with soap dispenser, tried Autoglyms Polar Seal via a snowfoam dispenser and then rinsed that off with normal water spray after which the water beading was good and literally 2 mins up the road and back the car is spotless, the same product in 5 litre tubs is called Coat It, try and avoid getting it on the windscreen.
I don't know how effective Polar Seal/Coat It would be applied via a spray bottle before rinsing off.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks for all the replies; fetching water in tubs isn't really an option and building a DIY water softener is possibly going s bit far. The Amazon in-hose product doesn't seem to work for cars so another option may be needed. (The car already has ceramic coating so I don't want to add anything else on top)

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 30th April 12:05

[Simpo Two]

What do we think of this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WHZS166/

Similar ideas welcomed - it needs to be 'in-hose' ie portable.

[jimmyjimjim]

I used to suffer from this as well. I found that drying the car quickly was the best solution, using a car towel, i.e.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CAP-CEL-Professional-Grey...

As an example from the first page of amazon results. 2'x3' and twisted loop are the main requirements I've found to do a decent job for a single car.

I then follow up with a ceramic detail spray if I missed anything (and for persistent drips):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Technicians-Choice-TEC582...

($26 for me, I'd look for a UK alternative)

[M11rph]

Magic919 said:

Have a look at Spotless Water. If they are near you, you ll just need a couple of suitable containers.

This is my approach too.

Car gets washed with tap water and the final rinse comes from a 25 litre container feeding my pressure washer.

[TimmyMallett]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks folks - was hoping for something a bit less expensive TBH...!

https://raceglaze.co.uk/shop/race-glaze-car-care-exterior/race-glaze-car-care-exterior-washing-drying/refillable-0ppm-water-filter-7-litre/


I use it for the final rinse. Best thing i ever bought. You don't need a big one. Mine is easily liftable even full of water. I also use if for window washing. In line hozelock connectors

Edited by TimmyMallett on Friday 1st May 10:16

[_Hoppers]

TimmyMallett said:

https://raceglaze.co.uk/shop/race-glaze-car-care-e...


I use it for the final rinse. Best thing i ever bought. You don't need a big one. Mine is easily liftable even full of water. I also use if for window washing. In line hozelock connectors

Edited by TimmyMallett on Friday 1st May 10:16

How long do they last before needing the filter media replacing? Interested in this as apart for car rinsing, I’ve got an aquarium, the water is too hard here for most tropical fish.

[Belle427]

Depends on usage and existing water quality, you can buy a cheap tds meter I think its called to test it.

[matt5964]

_Hoppers said:

How long do they last before needing the filter media replacing? Interested in this as apart for car rinsing, I ve got an aquarium, the water is too hard here for most tropical fish.

I bought my 14ltr one on 19th April 2022 and it is still filtering with no sports on drying, wash two cars with it but just use for final rinse, the water meter I have on it says just over 1100 lets so expect it will need a refill shortly. Will cost about £95 to refill it so not bad at all to be fair.

The tall skinny ones are more efficient in filtering and use of the resin

[Simpo Two]

TimmyMallett said:

https://raceglaze.co.uk/shop/race-glaze-car-care-e...

I use it for the final rinse. Best thing i ever bought. You don't need a big one. Mine is easily liftable even full of water. I also use if for window washing. In line hozelock connectors

OK, I have a plan. I'll dry trying the car more quickly with a good microfibre cloth next time, and if that doesn't work, will consider the resin-based options.

Can the Raceglaze type be allowed to freeze? It will have to live in the garage.