Limescale

[Connor]

Right, new section of the Forum. Haven't ventured into the world of Car Cleaning properly, but i am sick of taking it to the Polish guys at my local.

The reason being however, is because whenever i ATTEMPT to clean my car at home, it always ends up with horrible White limescale marks all over it.

Does anyone have the same issue? Do you use anything with the water? Any ways around it?

I have no idea how people live more than 50 years around by me, if the water does that to my car, can't think what it does inside there body :S.

Thanks Guys.

[Chris_Blue]

Water is similar round here- comes out of the tap milky white/chalky, but disappates aftre a minute or so
You can get in line filters for the hose/tap, but we dont get the issue on the car cleaning
Usually we only drink bottled water, or boil it for tea/coffee

[CliveP]

Hi Connor,

I'm originally from the same neck of the woods as you, so know how much muck the Chilterns can put into your water source. Being madly into my car detailing (I train in basics and machine polishing, but purely a hobby), I personally wouldn't let the polish guys near it for a number of reasons.

Of course doing it yourself, my advice is don't put a sponge or a leather on it, ever..... they will inflict swirl marks, etc.. however that's another complete subject!

In terms of avoiding the limescale and similar type marks, there are decent shampoos you can get to help reduce it, and of course speed of drying does help.

If you think you're going to get into your detailing, take a look at some of my posts in this section, I have machine polished a couple of members cars from here, and there's quite a few posts from me on detailing, etc. Take a look on detailingworld.co.uk, I'm the same user name on there, you'll also find me in the Autobrite section of that site.

Enjoy!
Regards,
Clive.

[lfcrule1972]

Is it limescale marks or soap that dries on before you manage to rinse the car off ?

I used to have similar issues and took to jetwashing the soap off as I went on my black Astra I found if I did small areas at a time the white marks didn't appear.

[CliveP]

Yes quickly rinsing helps - too much shampoo, the wrong kind, etc, all can make a difference. Black is also completely unforigiving (although I can't live with limescale/soap marks even if not readily apparent, they still take away depth of reflection )

So it can be soap or limescale......to test what's in your supply simply rinse, let dry and see what it leaves behind, thus eliminating the shampoo from the equation.

There are also some drying aids you spray on that also help (sprayed on whilst the car is still wet, so wash, rinse, spray drying aid, then dry)... I just don't need those drying aids here in the midlands...

Regards,
Clive.

[cyclone]

Have very hard water myself and find that keeping the car wetted down till right before I dry it helps.

[ivorex]

We have hard water in Southampton so I just connect my pressure washer to one of my water butts, end of problem.

[Connor]

Deffo hard water, however i never thought about too much products in the water.

Im going to give it a real good clean this Sunday and see how i get on, thanks for all your feedback.