Rinseless washes
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 9
I recently tried to optimum no rinse on the advice of a professional detailer that uses it.
Overall I was very satisfied with he results as compared to a traditional soap/water wash....but the car wasn't extremely filthy...just had a weeks worth of dust on it from driving in nice weather.....NO way I would use a waterless wash on caked on dirt...you will definitely swirl your paint that way.
On the plus side....I was able to do my car while it was still parked in the garage during the heat of the day.....normally I have to wash early in the A.M. or just at sunset to avoid waterspotting with traditional washing.
A word of advice....get a microfiber wash mitt instead of using towels....that and two waffle weave drying towels...one to soak up 95% of the water, and the other to give it the final "buff" dry and you're all set!
Overall I was very satisfied with he results as compared to a traditional soap/water wash....but the car wasn't extremely filthy...just had a weeks worth of dust on it from driving in nice weather.....NO way I would use a waterless wash on caked on dirt...you will definitely swirl your paint that way.
On the plus side....I was able to do my car while it was still parked in the garage during the heat of the day.....normally I have to wash early in the A.M. or just at sunset to avoid waterspotting with traditional washing.
A word of advice....get a microfiber wash mitt instead of using towels....that and two waffle weave drying towels...one to soak up 95% of the water, and the other to give it the final "buff" dry and you're all set!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
If you wash, make sure you wash them by themselves. No other fabrics. The towels pick up lint from cotton, etc.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 158
Likes: 25
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by WMark
I wash them. If heavily soiled, I soak them in diluted micro fiber laundry detergent for a day or two. I rotate them down after x many uses. Polishers become dryers, dryers become wheel well cleaners, etc. and then in the trash.
If you wash, make sure you wash them by themselves. No other fabrics. The towels pick up lint from cotton, etc.
If you wash, make sure you wash them by themselves. No other fabrics. The towels pick up lint from cotton, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
Here's a couple of things I do with my microfiber towels.
When washing microfiber towels, I don't use softener or dryer sheets. The softener inhibits quick water absorption when drying my car.
After washing and drying, I check them for small bits of trash that gets trapped in the fibers. I don't want that stuff touching my paint.
When washing microfiber towels, I don't use softener or dryer sheets. The softener inhibits quick water absorption when drying my car.
After washing and drying, I check them for small bits of trash that gets trapped in the fibers. I don't want that stuff touching my paint.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 782
Likes: 264
From: San Diego
I learned from glen e's docs, though I might have tweaked the process here or there. I use a one-bucket method.
I have cquartz finest on my car and use ONR in a 2 gal bucket of warm water. (If the car is really dirty, I first hose it off, then take it for a short spin to get some water off.) I use one microfiber cloth from the bucket to clean the roof, hatch, and windows. That towel is not used again. I then spray carpro's reload on the roof and use a new microfiber cloth to dry painted areas. (I use an additional cloth on the glass so there's no reload on the glass.) Same process on the hood and front end. Then each side. Then the rear end. Then each wheel, though I use one cleaning cloth and one drying cloth for two wheels. I take it it for short spin to get water out of the nooks and crannies and use a new cloth to wipe down any wet spots. I end up using 13-14 mf cloths. This takes me 75-90 mins.
The first mf cloths I bought left some lint on the car, so I bought better ones for drying and use the old ones for washing. Wash the cloths in warm water without softener. Dry them at low heat.
Here are the mf cloths I recommend:
I have cquartz finest on my car and use ONR in a 2 gal bucket of warm water. (If the car is really dirty, I first hose it off, then take it for a short spin to get some water off.) I use one microfiber cloth from the bucket to clean the roof, hatch, and windows. That towel is not used again. I then spray carpro's reload on the roof and use a new microfiber cloth to dry painted areas. (I use an additional cloth on the glass so there's no reload on the glass.) Same process on the hood and front end. Then each side. Then the rear end. Then each wheel, though I use one cleaning cloth and one drying cloth for two wheels. I take it it for short spin to get water out of the nooks and crannies and use a new cloth to wipe down any wet spots. I end up using 13-14 mf cloths. This takes me 75-90 mins.
The first mf cloths I bought left some lint on the car, so I bought better ones for drying and use the old ones for washing. Wash the cloths in warm water without softener. Dry them at low heat.
Here are the mf cloths I recommend:
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 633
Likes: 173
Just tried the rinseless method with ONR for the first time in my life (before used the hose and car wash outside that always left spots due to the hard water or automatic carwashes) after the 2300 mile road trip from NCM, and it exceeded my expectations, lifted the dirt and bugs right off to leave the paint almost as good as at delivery.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,937
Likes: 1,925
From: NC
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
I learned from glen e's docs, though I might have tweaked the process here or there. I use a one-bucket method.
I have cquartz finest on my car and use ONR in a 2 gal bucket of warm water. (If the car is really dirty, I first hose it off, then take it for a short spin to get some water off.) I use one microfiber cloth from the bucket to clean the roof, hatch, and windows. That towel is not used again. I then spray carpro's reload on the roof and use a new microfiber cloth to dry painted areas. (I use an additional cloth on the glass so there's no reload on the glass.) Same process on the hood and front end. Then each side. Then the rear end. Then each wheel, though I use one cleaning cloth and one drying cloth for two wheels. I take it it for short spin to get water out of the nooks and crannies and use a new cloth to wipe down any wet spots. I end up using 13-14 mf cloths. This takes me 75-90 mins.
The first mf cloths I bought left some lint on the car, so I bought better ones for drying and use the old ones for washing. Wash the cloths in warm water without softener. Dry them at low heat.
Here are the mf cloths I recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have cquartz finest on my car and use ONR in a 2 gal bucket of warm water. (If the car is really dirty, I first hose it off, then take it for a short spin to get some water off.) I use one microfiber cloth from the bucket to clean the roof, hatch, and windows. That towel is not used again. I then spray carpro's reload on the roof and use a new microfiber cloth to dry painted areas. (I use an additional cloth on the glass so there's no reload on the glass.) Same process on the hood and front end. Then each side. Then the rear end. Then each wheel, though I use one cleaning cloth and one drying cloth for two wheels. I take it it for short spin to get water out of the nooks and crannies and use a new cloth to wipe down any wet spots. I end up using 13-14 mf cloths. This takes me 75-90 mins.
The first mf cloths I bought left some lint on the car, so I bought better ones for drying and use the old ones for washing. Wash the cloths in warm water without softener. Dry them at low heat.
Here are the mf cloths I recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Those towels are awesome. I won't use anything else. I have tried many , many brands, but these are my favorites.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 697
Likes: 93
From: Somewhere in the OC, CA
Upon GlenE's recommendation I tried Duragloss tonight for the first time. I've been using Adams for years. I will use this to replace Adam's waterless wash and detailing spray.
Duragloss is truly amazing. I'm blown away by the performance/cost ratio.
I'd switch based on performance alone.
(sorry Adams...still like your sealants and waxes though)
Duragloss is truly amazing. I'm blown away by the performance/cost ratio.
I'd switch based on performance alone.
(sorry Adams...still like your sealants and waxes though)
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,621
Likes: 219
From: Ohio
I use Blackfire Wet Diamond Rinseless Wash. A rinseless wash more convenient for me, and pleased with the results.
Use LOTS of towels!! Like mentioned before I use one towel, rinsing frequently, for every couple of panels.
I use the waterless wash products like a detail spray for small clean-ups.
I still prefer a good nook and cranny cleaning with a hose every few months.
Use LOTS of towels!! Like mentioned before I use one towel, rinsing frequently, for every couple of panels.
I use the waterless wash products like a detail spray for small clean-ups.
I still prefer a good nook and cranny cleaning with a hose every few months.
2 gal of water with 2 ounces of the rinseless wash.
Add 6-7 microfiber wash cloths. Use 1 cloth on the roof, rear deck and windows/windshield. Toss it into a bucket. Use a large waffle weave microfiber towel to dry.
Take cloth 2, do the hood and front fascia, and dry it.
Take cloth 3 for the passenger side, etc.
Takes about 20 minutes to wash and dry the car.
Often, then, I follow up with a coat of Pinnacle Souveran paste wax.
Once a month, or so, I'll use Black diamond wheel and tire cleanser and clean the wheels before the rinseless wash process.
works great.
Attachment 48124177
Last edited by gpotski; Jan 25, 2026 at 11:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Upon GlenE's recommendation I tried Duragloss tonight for the first time. I've been using Adams for years. I will use this to replace Adam's waterless wash and detailing spray.
Duragloss is truly amazing. I'm blown away by the performance/cost ratio.
I'd switch based on performance alone.
(sorry Adams...still like your sealants and waxes though)
Duragloss is truly amazing. I'm blown away by the performance/cost ratio.
I'd switch based on performance alone.
(sorry Adams...still like your sealants and waxes though)
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 495
Likes: 51
From: Woodlands Texas
Which duragloss.
I use Adams polish for the paint correction, have for years or 3M machine polish.
But as far as what goes on top of my C-Quartz layer after washing, has been just a spray wax. Its okay for a short time. You usually dont have to put any polish after applying the C-Quartz and it looks like you add a few layers of clear coat. However if you put a polish/wax on top it magnifies that even more.
I use Adams polish for the paint correction, have for years or 3M machine polish.
But as far as what goes on top of my C-Quartz layer after washing, has been just a spray wax. Its okay for a short time. You usually dont have to put any polish after applying the C-Quartz and it looks like you add a few layers of clear coat. However if you put a polish/wax on top it magnifies that even more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
That's what I use also thanks to Glen. Love it.