I was at my local Kroger Store yesterday, and saw they had the Tide NASCAR on disply, so I wandered on over for a look. The big NASCAR race is in Bristol (TN)this weekend, so NASCAR fans are everywhere around these parts (Lord help us . . .). Anyway, with the car, they were demonstrating the new Mr. Clean car wash system which seemed pretty cool. The bottom line was that the final car rinse was with purified water which allegedly combines with polimers in the soap to cause the car to dry spot free.

Has anyone tried the Mr. Clean system? May be so much snake oil, but the demonstation was impressive!

Seen it in person ... it works. The cost of the soap and filters will need to be factored in, however. My opportunity costs versus use cost ends up about a (pardon the pun) wash for me, so for now, I'm still sticking to the sponge and bucket.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

As of this post, I'll be the first response that has actual experience using the new Mr. Clean system. I'm also a born skeptic, especially with car care products. I was very doubtful of the system at first. Now, I'm a convert.

The Mr. Clean system is just that. You have to use their soap along with their fancy applicator/nozzle assembly that also contains a small demineralizer. The soap reminds me of the Meguiar's pink soap that sheets water really well. I was a water chemist in the navy, but I don't have any organic chem background. I think these types of soaps work well because they reduce the surface tension of the water, then the water sheets off more easily. Anyway, when you're done, you switch on the demineralizer and rinse down the car with the DI water. This reduces the water particles (according to their ads) which allows for even better sheeting and faster evaporation.

The bottom line: I had just bought a new chamois two weeks before I got this system. The chamois is still unused. The cars don't spot (although none are black) and I'm very much impressed. The soap works well even on heavily soiled cars, so I plan on using it for a good while. The one data point I still need is how this impacts the durability of the wax finish.

Again, I'm not employed in the sale of Mr. Clean, and I don't directly own P&G stock. (Although who knows how much I own through mutual funds.)

someguyfromMaryland

The additive is the same thing we used in Photo processing shop to reduce water spots and surface marks from rinse water. Sold under the name "photoflow" it enduces a sheeting action by reducing the surface tension.

Same stuff is used in "Jet Dry" dishwasher detergent to keep spots off crystal.

>>The additive is the same thing we used in Photo processing shop to reduce water spots and surface marks from rinse water.<<

Hey Stony, which lab do you work in? I'm in the process of building a new lab here in Santa Barbara for Samy's Camera. One of the biggest expenses has been our water system (over $20K). The water here has a very high calcium content which, if left untreated, leaves a nasty white deposit on the film and on all our water fittings.

Volvo Content...I have to be religious about drying the cars off after washing or the crummy water here leaves horrible white spots on the paint and glass which can be difficult to remove. I may have to try the Mr. Clean system.

--
don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35

I use duragloss & 2 squirts of rainex in my car wash and get the same results
as Mr. clean the only thing is that I have been doing this for years.I have well water and it has no filter on the system. I don't have any water spots on my cars at all. I hope that this info will help anybody that reads this.
If you use the duragloss & rainex after a few washes the shine will start to come back on your car.
Rodney

What's duragloss?
--
1985 240 DL, 1989 245 DL

Duragloss is a car wash that can be bought at napa are at carquest auto parts
It's not as high in price as the Mr Clean refill. I have no water spots on my windows and the shine will start to come back on your car.
Rodney

Hello,

I'm a skeptic on everything, and it probably does a good job for the average lamen, but there's nothing like getting personal with your car with a good old fashioned wash and wax with hand drying.

I hear that they're re-inventing the shape of the wheel soon too...

--
Happy Bricking!!! - Richard - '87 245 DL , '82 242 GLT - Half a million km between them!!!

Not sure how the Mr. Clean system works but it sounds almost like a water softener. We have a water softener in our house and one of the outside spigots is plumbed with "soft" (demineralized) water. Conveniently, this spigot is right where we wash the cars... Since we've been using the system I haven't had to wipe down our cars after a wash. No significant spotting at all.

I'll have to check it out.
Bean
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'80 242GT 92k, '94 945T 123k

I have heard it works just fine but that it contains oxidizers in its formula that could promote corrosion. Not able to site data; just read it somewhere.

Randy

My son used this system on his Mustang last week. After washing, he waxed the car. He seemed happy with the Mr Clean wash and he used to detail cars so I respect his judgement. However, he never lets his car get really dirty so the Mr Clean was applied to a car which was only dusty, not muddy or with that grey scum which seems to get on cars in the winter. The final rinse seemed to run right off the car but I wasn't there the whole time to watch.

Next time he's here, I ask for more detailed opinion and post it back here.

I'm a skeptic about this sort of thing and have a "show me " attitude. Actually, washing and drying a car are easy, I'd like an easier way to wax than the hard paste and rub,rub, rub I use now.

I'd like an easier way to wax than the hard paste and rub,rub, rub I use now.

I use NuFinish, which is more petrochemicals than wax (in fact it has no wax in it). The parent used it on his red 89 Taurus since new, with excellent results. In the comparisons I've seen, NuFinish won't keep the paint as shiny as long as some of the competition.. but it protects the paint very well.

So far I'm happy. It's not terribly expensive either.

--
alex

'89 765T

Thanks, I'll look into that NuFinish. Does it have silicones?

Does it have silicones?

I think so.

--
alex

I don't know I just know that it helps the finish on your car,
Rodney

Consumer Reports did a test of it in the September issue, and found that it did, indeed, work as promised.
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It's a Volvo thing....You wouldn't understand. Steve-- 1989 244DL (Olaf)