Mr Clean

[Scott Singer]

I purchased the Mr. Clean Auto Spotless Car Wash kit, I haven't used it yet. Anyone have any tips or experience on using the kit?

Scott

[marlinspike]

Never used it, but based on the way it works I have my concerns. After using it, check the condition of your wax (water beading test or the towel test or just feel the paint). Since I have no idea what it does to the wax I'm not suggesting anything, but I'd be curious to know. It seems like a good enough idea, but whenever something good comes along I'm skeptical :p
Richard

[Scott Singer]

It is a Proctor & Gamble product, not that this would prove anything, but it is certainly not a fly-by-night operation. I haven't found anything on the web - in forums - suggesting that the product dosen't work or is bogus.

I usually use P21, Griots Garage, Meguiar and 303 products.
The instructions state that it is polymer technology ( I assume this means long chain carbon molecules ) in the car wash soap that causes sheathng action to remove water from the paint along with a disposable filter through which the garden hose goes through that take the minerals out of the water, deionizes the tap water.

They say it dosen't strip wax.

waiting for the weather to break, to test it out, bought it at Target for a reasonable sum, excited to use it.


Scott
Baltimore

[marlinspike]

Yeah, I know it's not fly by night. I guess I had missed that part about it sheeting because of polymers. From watching the commercial (to be honest I never really listen to commercials though, so I only remember the pictures) I figured it sheets by stripping the wax. The filter is a genius idea. Made by PuR IIRC, and PuR makes the best water filters (I don't mean this subjectively, I mean if you read the labels as to what is filtered, the part of the label that is regulated by the government, you see that PuR filters the most stuff). I'm tempted to buy one just for that filter, cause I don't know about Baltimore but I know here in Bethesda the water is pretty hard, leaving calcium deposits on everything. Anyways, I'm interested to hear about the experiences of yourself and others with this, since it is pretty cold out, and spending hours outside with cold water isn't my cup of tea.
Richard

[marlinspike]

And to provide some useful information....
I did some googling. Everybody says to make sure you rinse off the soap very well. Also, it is apparently a good idea to after hosing down the car with soapy water, put some in a bucket because otherwise you'll be rubbing your dirty washmit on the car.
Richard

[MTI]

I've used it and here's my observations.

First, don't use it anywhere the car will be exposed to direct sunlight while using it. The drying of the car needs to be done slowly to avoid waterspotting.

Second, the soap that they use is rather wimpy, so it's not going to be the best thing for a crud loaded car, but for a mildly dirty car it's fine. If the car does need a good washing, use a conventional car wash liquid and a mitt, then use the filtered water from Mr. Clean to rinse.

Third, the water pressure from the filtered side of the device is also wimpy, but it does do it's job of merely applying a post-rinse (not the actual rinse) dowsing of water to avoid spotting.

Keep a microfiber towel handy for a few touch ups.

Does it work? Actually it does.

[Scott Singer]

MTI thanks for the good info
Actually Mr Clean has a newer version in which they say they have a more powerful spray.
I am going to try to return my unopened box for the newer more powerful and pricier improved version

marlinspike where I live Mt Washington I get serious water spots, I always wondered if other municipalities throughout the country didn't have to worry about water spots.

Scott

[marlinspike]

Yeah Scott, we get serious water spots here in Bethesda. The only solution is to squegee (sp?) the glass and dry the body with a P21S drying towel immediately after you finish washing (even waiting 5 minutes is too late). For some reason the absorber, cotton towels, and everything other than a squeege and a P21S towel leave waterspots behind. The way the Mr. Clean thing is set up, could someone feasibly just use the filter part? I've got my own soaps that I like, and with car care I'm pretty stubborn, so I'm not sure if I want to stop using Sonax and P21S (why 2? because EPA doesn't like Sonax labels so it's hard to come by), but I'd really like to not worry about water spots.
Richard

[Scott Singer]

reading the Mr Clean literature seems to indicate two factors, car wash soap polymers and water filter.
The car soap helps the water sheath of the paint.

I will eventually test for results without the Mr Clean soap.


Used to use Sonax liquid wax until carcareonline no longer carried it very easy to use. If you check their web site they have pretty unconventional methods for car cleaning.

[marlinspike]

Carcareonline stopped carrying it? I thought it was just on super-backorder? They were the only source I knew of. They're also where I've bought all my car care stuff for a few years now BTW.
Richard

[Scott Singer]

I meant to say if you check the SONAX web site they have some unorthidox clenaing methods, at least compared to what detailers do in the states.

My assumption was carcareonline stoped with SONAX since I haven't seen the product on their site for over two years, at least the wax that is.

[marlinspike]

I e-mailed Larry, he says he's had 10,000 units on back order for over a year now, but that he can't get them because of US labeling requirements. I've asked him what specifically is the problem, and once I find out it's time to write our representatives.
Richard

[Scott Singer]

good info about Sonax

it was mild temps today so I tried Mr. Clean Auto Dry.

The earlier post by MTI was right on target with his observations.
Mr Clean Auto Dry worked great for me. The kit I purchased had an optional quick release hose attachment that didn't work well, so I dumped it and the device worked great.

I used a 100% cotton towel and two rinse bucket ( wheels & body )

Did it in direct sunlight on my black car and only got a few water spots.

I never liked using a strong spray on my paint so I was satisfied. The special car wash soap it comes with remindes me of the P21 auto soap. The special car wash soap cost about $5 when you need refills, for me probably four or five washes per bottle - I'll see.

[ALUEB]

I've used it and here's my observations.

First, don't use it anywhere the car will be exposed to direct sunlight while using it. The drying of the car needs to be done slowly to avoid waterspotting.

Second, the soap that they use is rather wimpy, so it's not going to be the best thing for a crud loaded car, but for a mildly dirty car it's fine. If the car does need a good washing, use a conventional car wash liquid and a mitt, then use the filtered water from Mr. Clean to rinse.

Third, the water pressure from the filtered side of the device is also wimpy, but it does do it's job of merely applying a post-rinse (not the actual rinse) dowsing of water to avoid spotting.

Keep a microfiber towel handy for a few touch ups.

Does it work? Actually it does.

I have to agree with all you said, I got one as a present, used it 3 or 4 times and they realized it took longer to a car wash with this gadget, then "usual way". I see Mr Clean has a new "kit" for Mr Clean car wash. Also on the new designed "machine" I noticed you don't put the filter in until the end.

Personally there is nothing live a hand wash.