De-ionised water

[Chris L]

Been using one of those Flash car wash thingys for a while now, you know the one where you, wash, rinse, then turn it to 'auto dry' and it sprays a fine mist of de-ionised (or is it distilled ?) water over the bike/car.
Works quite well but when your sharing it with yer son so he can wash his corsa I seem to be forever buying new cartridges for it, (water passes thru this to become de-ionised (or is it distilled ?) Anyway I have got the chance for a large supply of de-ionised water very cheap, I was thinking, this in a garden pump sprayer could be much cheaper that Flash cartridges, so what I need to know is..does it matter if the water is de-ionised or distilled, all I want is to rinse with no calcium deposits left all over my black paintwork, before you say, well chamois it, you lazy git, I do that as well, but using this water it always seems to do a cleaner job.
Thank you in anticipation...

[Chiefy]

What you have is something other than De-Ionized Water or Distilled water. I suspect you have some form of filter and a spray nozzle that only squirts a very fine mist that evaporates quicky.

Most of the white streaks are soap residues not calcium.

Only water that has passed through a Reverse Osmosis plant (Read Expensive and big) is truly de-ionized. De-Ionized water will only remain De-Ionized if it it kept in a sealed, sterile container, as soon as the container is opened to atmosphere it will start absorbing impurities.

Distilled water is the Condensate from water that has been boiled, is extremely clean but doutful that you could do this at the business end of a hose pipe.

The science is all pretty pointless when the water is used to wash your bike, as you add detergent and the water passing through the air from the end of the hose towards your paintwork will collect all manner of dust and sh*te.

Use tap water, a decent wash additive and a nice clean chammy.

[Chris L]

Understand all your saying, dont know if you've seen the Flash kit but the cartridge fits in a gun at end of the hose so its straight from filter to bike, where I live the white is more likely calcium than soap, you should see the inside of my kettle.
Also the de-ionised/distilled water is for the final rinse only.

[BaZa ®]

I cleaned my bike yesterday after being ridden in the rain for 800 miles since last Thursday to Ireland and back.

It was filthy.

Out in strong very warm sunshine.....Yes I know it was a change.

Hose it down to get any grit off.
Did the wheels and whitewalls first...ciff on the w/walls.
Washed by hand, sponge and hot soapy water.
Sprayed bike with water to rinse.
Bike soon dried and was then covered with water marks....So...........

With a wet chamois I wiped a section at a time to remove spots.

Finished off with my very expensive Asda smart price furniture polish....

I hour start to finish.....

[Chris L]

Just trawled back thru the old 'washing yer bike' threads and think I found the answer, seems de-ionised is the way to go for the final rinse.

[Chiefy]

Originally Posted by superglide80

Understand all your saying, dont know if you've seen the Flash kit but the cartridge fits in a gun at end of the hose so its straight from filter to bike, where I live the white is more likely calcium than soap, you should see the inside of my kettle.
Also the de-ionised/distilled water is for the final rinse only.

Snake Oil Dude

Yep, it'll be Calciummy in yer kettle alright, thats because yer boiling it out of the water. But your hose pipe is cold water so the marks are unlikely to be calcium.

Originally Posted by superglide80

so its straight from filter to bike

Passing through the air on it's way?

Possibly picking up airborne dust and other bits and bobs on the way?

Listen to Uncle Baza's advice, it works and no weird, expensive cures.

Just Soap and water

[Chris L]

Anyone else got a thought on this, as Im still not convinced its 'snake oil'.

[llew]

Lexus Owners Club > Flash Car Cleaner

I woudn't bother with it - the only benefit it has is that it doesn't leave water spots behind.

Follow the guide in the "car care" section and you'll get a perfect finish without using gimmicks like this.

Reading on, i guess you pay your monies (over and over again for the flash cartridge) and make your choice. Not convinced but wish I thought of the idea$$$$$

[Chris L]

I read that Lexus forum and found out what I needed...Tesco offer a final rinse in de-ionised water at their car washes, so I think il get my cheap supply of de-ionised water and use that instead of the Flash wash.