Mr. Clean Carwash

[Gryphon]

I broke down and bought the Mr. Clean carwash kit. The ads look interesting, and I like gadgets, so when I found a sale, I snagged one.

After finding out the filter included is only good for two or three washes I was a bit dissappointed, but after using it, I was quite pleased with the results.

The soap works better than anything else I have used, short of a hot water pressure washer. The soap usage was pretty good. I filled the gun and used only half the soap to wash the whole rig.

The stream using just plain old household water pressure was impressive, better than my garden hose nozzle, tho I would not count on it to cut any really thick goop, like in the wheel wells.

The no-dry claims were accurate. I was very impressed with how nicely it dried and how clear the windows were. You do really notice any places you missed tho!

The only complaint I have with the results is that now it is easily apparent all the dings, scuffs and spots on the INSIDE of the windows! I gotta get some compund and wax to go with my buffer now!

(Thanks for moving this post; after I made it, I rembered the Detailing forum...sorry!)

 

[CVsGX470]

That thing is a POS! What a waste of money.

 

[dcampen]

That thing is a POS! What a waste of money.

It is not very gentlemanly to make such strong and brash statements. After all, I could justifiably say the same about your opinion but then you might feel insulted, so I won't.

I like the Mr. Clean for its deionizer cartridge. When I am washing
the 4Runner what with the roof basket and SoCal sun and low humidity it is hard to remove the rinse water before it dries and leaves water spots. Rinsing with the deionized water from the Mr.
Clean unit prevents the water spots. I don't use the Mr. Clean soap, I wash with Mequiar's soap in a bucket, rinse with deionized water from the Mr. Clean unit and then dry with a synthetic chamois.

 

[CVsGX470]

Still doesn't change the fact that it is a POS! I am sorry if that hurts your feelings. Do you have stock in the company? Here is why I don't like it.

1) Soap is terrible. To think that you don't have to use muscle power to wash your car to get it really clean is insane. Their whole gimmic (I believe) is touch and dry free. Getting some real car soap in a bucket of hot water is so much better.

2) The rinse cycle is terrible. Although I do like the premise behind the idea of having filtered water, the pressure of the thing is worthless.

3) The touch free drying cycle is a joke. You literally have to stand inches from the car to get it to work and it takes FOREVER to cover every inch of the vehicle so this works. Plus, no matter how hard I try I can't get the whole thing covered. And, you do realize that it drys like this b/c it is a wax?

4) PRICE...way too expensive to wash a car.
Reusable bucket...$10
Soap...$5
Rags...$5
Reusable chamois and towels...$5

ONLY thing that I have to pay for routinely is the soap and water.

Hope you feel better now that I wrote down my OPINION...
CV

 

[CruiseDuck]

I used the Mr. Clean car wash on my previous vehicle, a Montero Sport, and it did a fantastic job. It was amazing the amount of dirt that came off on the sponge. I will be using it this week-end when I give my 05 Sport its first bath.

 

[CVsGX470]

Hmmmm. Maybe I bought a dud or I am just too stupid to use the thing. However, they are a bit too expensive for my taste.

QUESTION: You said that you used a sponge. Isn't the idea behind the product, "touch free?"

CV

 

[TranceKrayz]

i thought it was touch free drying. you'd have to do some scrubbing to get dirt and grime off. just standing in the shower won't get you clean.

 

[CVsGX470]

Maybe that is why my wife tells me I stink?

Anyway, you are only 1/2 correct TranceKrayz. What about those touch free car-washes? I thought that was the same premise behind this pile o' crap.
CV

 

[TranceKrayz]

we all know touch free carwashes don't work. check out this FAQ's section on the product:

http://www.homemadesimple.com/mrcleanautodry/faq.shtml

i'm referring to this question:

"Why does my sponge seem dirtier than normal?
Mr. Clean AutoDry Carwash lifts dirt away from your car and pulls it into your mitt/sponge. Therefore, it is a good idea to rinse your mitt/sponge with the rinse setting in between washing different sections, and then soap up the mitt/sponge again before starting a new section.

Cleanup: Rinse out the mitt with the rinse setting when done. You might want to periodically throw your dirty mitt in the washing machine with Tide

 

[CruiseDuck]

Has your wife also told you that you need to read the instructions before doing something????? If used as intended it does an amazing job....Try it, you might change your mind.....

 

[dcampen]

Still doesn't change the fact that it is a POS! I am sorry if that hurts your feelings. Do you have stock in the company? Here is why I don't like it.

I read your explanation. It just reinforces that your opinion is rather uninformed (actually there is a better term than uninformed but I will resist the temptation to use it).

1) Soap is terrible. To think that you don't have to use muscle power to wash your car to get it really clean is insane. Their whole gimmic (I believe) is touch and dry free. Getting some real car soap in a bucket of hot water is so much better.

Um, no, you might want to read the instructions. It is never claimed to be touchless wash.

2) The rinse cycle is terrible. Although I do like the premise behind the idea of having filtered water, the pressure of the thing is worthless.

Not just filtered water but deionized water.

3) The touch free drying cycle is a joke. You literally have to stand inches from the car to get it to work and it takes FOREVER to cover every inch of the vehicle so this works. Plus, no matter how hard I try I can't get the whole thing covered. And, you do realize that it drys like this b/c it is a wax?

Again, you have to follow the instructions. And, I haven't a clue where you got some idea about wax.

I do agree that this system is probably doomed to failure. To work well it is necessary that the user carefully follow the instructions - something that seems well beyond the ability of most.

 

[CVsGX470]

NOPE, expensive POS! IMHO!

 

[CVsGX470]

I read your explanation. It just reinforces that your opinion is rather uninformed (actually there is a better term than uninformed but I will resist the temptation to use it).


Um, no, you might want to read the instructions. It is never claimed to be touchless wash.


Not just filtered water but deionized water.


Again, you have to follow the instructions. And, I haven't a clue where you got some idea about wax.

I do agree that this system is probably doomed to failure. To work well it is necessary that the user carefully follow the instructions - something that seems well beyond the ability of most.

I appreciate the vote of confidence. When it warms up, I'll follow the instructions to a, "T," for you. Then I will report back on how much I STILL hate this product and how it is STILL too expensive. Funny how those who start with the holier than thou attitude about being brash and etc., finalize their last post with a direct insult. But that is okay. I will still sleep really well tonight...:

 

[selcukyigit]

If you buy it make sure you keep the box for the return.

I tried it. Its not like the adds. i got it for 19$ from home depot. I was going to give it back but cant find the box.

It might work for some people but after washing the car i still see spots everywhere. Whats the point of giving 20 dollars if i have to sponge the car. Im sorry if they advertise as its touch free it should be touch free. No matter what people say I just dont care about using it. and i think it doesnt work perfect unless you have a clean car to start with.

Solution:
I went and got a husky 1500 psi power washer from home depot for 99 dollars.The price is 5 times mr clean?? carwash kit, But it can actually do a good job.

My suggestion to people who didnt buy mr clean yet, Dont waste your money. Go get a good power washer for 99$. It wont be a waste of money. you can use it for other jobs like washing your drive way etc too.

If you feel like you have to buy it . Keep the box , you might need it.

 

[tomhaney1]

Re: If you buy it make sure you keep the box for the return.

I tried it. Its not like the adds. i got it for 19$ from home depot. I was going to give it back but cant find the box.

It might work for some people but after washing the car i still see spots everywhere. Whats the point of giving 20 dollars if i have to sponge the car. Im sorry if they advertise as its touch free it should be touch free. No matter what people say I just dont care about using it. and i think it doesnt work perfect unless you have a clean car to start with.

Solution:
I went and got a husky 1500 psi power washer from home depot for 99 dollars.The price is 5 times mr clean?? carwash kit, But it can actually do a good job.

My suggestion to people who didnt buy mr clean yet, Dont waste your money. Go get a good power washer for 99$. It wont be a waste of money. you can use it for other jobs like washing your drive way etc too.

If you feel like you have to buy it . Keep the box , you might need it.

I'm not really impressed with the unit either. I really only use it for the filtered water. The soap does work pretty well on the wheels though. I also find that the soap tends to be too harsh and strips my wax. Further, it is basically impossible to get all of the regular water out of the crevices of the 4Runner so once the car is moved the regular water drains out and leaves spots on the finish anyways. Therefore, I use the filtered water and then dry using a synthetic shammy. I do live in Las Vegas though and our water isn't fit to piss in.

 

[pickerdd]

I used the Mr. Clean car wash system on my 4Runner until I discovered that the soap strips the wax off of the truck. Currently, I use the handheld unit to rinse the car, but I no longer use the soap. The filter seems to do a decent job of removing crap from the water.

How do I know the soap stripped off the wax? Easy - I waxed my truck with Pinnacle carnuba wax. Great stuff by the way. The finish is nice and slick and water beads up on it really well. It's a thing of beauty. After the first wash with Mr Clean car wash soap, which was 1 week after I waxed the truck, the beading stopped and the surface was no longer slick to the touch.

So, instead of using the Mr. Clean soap, I started using the Pinnacle car wash soap. After I wash my truck with the Pinnacle car wash soap, the finish is still slick and water beads off really well.

And no. I don't work for Pinnacle or any place that sells the stuff. Just a satisfied customer. :

David

 

[Uneek]

I used the Mr. Clean car wash system on my 4Runner until I discovered that the soap strips the wax off of the truck. Currently, I use the handheld unit to rinse the car, but I no longer use the soap. The filter seems to do a decent job of removing crap from the water.

How do I know the soap stripped off the wax? Easy - I waxed my truck with Pinnacle carnuba wax. Great stuff by the way. The finish is nice and slick and water beads up on it really well. It's a thing of beauty. After the first wash with Mr Clean car wash soap, which was 1 week after I waxed the truck, the beading stopped and the surface was no longer slick to the touch.

So, instead of using the Mr. Clean soap, I started using the Pinnacle car wash soap. After I wash my truck with the Pinnacle car wash soap, the finish is still slick and water beads off really well.

And no. I don't work for Pinnacle or any place that sells the stuff. Just a satisfied customer. :

David

Thanks David. That was a test that I've been waiting to do someday. I wanted to wax my fender and wash it with Mr. Clean soap and see if it strips wax. I've read various reviews where users have said it strips wax because it helps make the water dry without water spots. So for now, I just use it for filtered water and maybe I'll start filling it with Meguiar's car wash.

 

[tomhaney1]

Thanks David. That was a test that I've been waiting to do someday. I wanted to wax my fender and wash it with Mr. Clean soap and see if it strips wax. I've read various reviews where users have said it strips wax because it helps make the water dry without water spots. So for now, I just use it for filtered water and maybe I'll start filling it with Meguiar's car wash.

It says not to fill it with any other type of car soap...but it seems like a good experiment !

 

[Uneek]

It says not to fill it with any other type of car soap...but it seems like a good experiment !

Yeah, but if their wax stripping soap won't damage the gun, I'm pretty sure car wash soap will be fine. I'm incline to say their soap is dish detergent, the bottle looks like it too. The way I see it is another way for me to be lazy, I don't have to get out a bucket to mix soap in.

I'll try it out when the weather clears up. Weather is pretty cold now, going to rain and trips to the snow makes me a bit lazy other than just hosing it down or power washing it. Now if there's only a spray on and hose off wax (that actually lasts like real wax, not detailer sprays), I'm set.

 

[tomhaney1]

Yeah, but if their wax stripping soap won't damage the gun, I'm pretty sure car wash soap will be fine. I'm incline to say their soap is dish detergent, the bottle looks like it too. The way I see it is another way for me to be lazy, I don't have to get out a bucket to mix soap in.

I'll try it out when the weather clears up. Weather is pretty cold now, going to rain and trips to the snow makes me a bit lazy other than just hosing it down or power washing it. Now if there's only a spray on and hose off wax (that actually lasts like real wax, not detailer sprays), I'm set.

Maybe I will try it myself...it was 70 and sunny here today. I think you could get a wax to spray if you used the correct emulsifiers. A spray Pinnacle would sure be nice!