Embracing Rinseless Washing

Written By: Paulo Assuncao, CD, MC

Back in the day, when I started professional detailing in 2002, sponge and soap were king. A good old chamois and a cotton towel were the cherry on the cake. Many times, we would do our final inspection on the finely detailed vehicles and couldn’t help but noticing all the micro swirls. The clients loved our services and kept coming back, but deep down, I knew I could do better.

Fast forward a few years, we had access to more information, products, and technology. In my opinion, one of the big changes in the wash method were the rinseless wash products and access to high quality microfibers. Rinseless wash has been a game changer for many detailers for different reasons. Perhaps the most relevant is water restriction. With more and more cities and regions having tighter water runoff restrictions, detailers, especially mobile detailers, had to do what we do best, adapt! Between traditional washing methods and waterless, rinseless is one the most effective ways to avoid the restrictions mentioned. It also helps provide a safe and effective way to detail a vehicle in numerous conditions. Almost no water runoff, working panel by panel, if needed, we can achieve amazing results. For shops with drainage or water issues, rinseless became a solution for many problems.

In the DIY world, the general public started using rinseless for their own washing needs in their garages or car shows as a fast and safe way to detail their vehicles. We teach our customers washing techniques for maintenance washing of their coated vehicles, and rinseless is their favorite. For heavier soiled vehicles, we recommend a pre-soak with a sprayer with the rinseless solution. If it’s a foaming solution, a foam canon is the way to go. As it sets in, watch the product start lifting and encapsulating dirt while it breaks it down. After that, use your preferred washing method, be it a sponge or some microfibers, and wash it down. Dry it off with your method of choice, blow or microfiber with a drying aid.

We use our rinseless solution for almost everything in the shop: interior wipe down, run it in the steamer, wipe down glass, spot cleaning for polish, etc. The high dilution rates make it a very inexpensive cleaning product. Due to its neutral pH, it is also a great overall and safe cleaning agent.

Some are still skeptical about this technology, believing it will scratch paint and therefore discredit it. However, this technique has been around for many years, making it one of the most tested wash methods. This showcases its efficiency. The lubricant and capsulation features of these products make them one of the safest methods to wash a vehicle while making it fast and efficient.

As a closing argument for the rinseless washes, more relevant in today’s world, is the low water usage and low cost. I invite you to try this method and incorporate it into your washing process if you haven’t yet. If you already implement it in your systems, explore new ways to use it. You might be surprised.