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[sixgun95]

Any products/ideas to battle hard water during wash? What used to take 1 hr now takes 3, crazy!  Getting a whole house soft water system soon but until then any recommendations? 

[dayne66]

I used to blow the bike off with a leaf blower.....left minimal water to spot

[Skillet]

Same here.

[grc]

Use a car wash detergent that contains wetting agents.  Those are additives that cut surface tension so the water doesn't bead.  When you rinse, flood the surface with a solid stream and let the water sheet off.  Then use a blower to remove as much residual water as possible, follow up with a soft cloth.

If you don't mind spending some cash, look for a filtration system that creates deionized water.  You can buy the filters and rig up a system for your rinse water that will be just like what they use in car washes for the "Spot Free Rinse".  It won't be terribly inexpensive, however.


Jerry

[sixgun95]

That will not work with hard water, as a matter of fact it will be worse.

[kiwihog]

costco has a pretty good water deionizer online around $350

[Midnight Rider]

I have extremely "hard" water here...lot's of minerals and higher PH level.  The Mr. Clean wash thingy you used to be able to get worked, but now the cartridges are hard to find, and expensive.

Griot's Garage has several different systems available for purchase, depending on how much you want to spend.  The least expensive option is an in line system for the hose that can be connected in just for the final rinse. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/in-line+water+softener+%26+deionizer+with+fittings.do?sortby=ourPicks

Even using a good washing liquid, though it definitely helps, will not eliminate the spots.  And I can't dry mine off fast enough with the air dryer to eliminate ALL the spots.  Elbow grease is the only thing that will get them off.  At least that's the case where I live.  The filter is the only thing that will work with my water.

[miker]

Buy a silver bike...

[Midnight Rider]

Buy a silver bike...

That'll work too, but RED is the fastest...

[hogasm]

Hook a few magnets to your garden hose to catch the minerals that cause the hard spots.....no chit it works

[Deep Blue Dives]

 And I can't dry mine off fast enough with the air dryer to eliminate ALL the spots.  Elbow grease is the only thing that will get them off.  

Same for me too - usually hot and lower humidity.  I use a Chammy that is always stored wet to do the final wipe down.  Ring it often, and the water spots are held to a minimum.

[sixgun95]

Hook a few magnets to your garden hose to catch the minerals that cause the hard spots.....no chit it works

I want what he's drinking!  javascript:void(0);

[mlbraptor]

I have the same problem. it is really hard to get the chrome clean after the water spots..

[mini]

I bought a 3 Gallon Weed Spayer from hardware store, went to Walmart and bought 4 Gallons of Distilled Water.
Wash my Wicked Saphire and Stardust Silver then rinse with the Distilled Water and it's all good.

[MKW]

Car (bike) wash.  Just avoid using the high pressure near the electronics and air cleaner.