[Team Tonka]

Considering a de-ionized car wash kit for the final rinse to greatly reduce water spots.

I'd like something mobile on a cart preferably - ease of moving around is my intent.

I haven't found much out there except the two below, they aren't cheap, nor are replacing the filters/resin which concerns me on how long they will truly last until the filter/resin is depleted. I like that they both have a TDS meter/sensor.

What have others found that work?

https://www.amazon.com/CR-Spotless-D...zcF9hdGY&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/Filterelated-...63b24bcb5&th=1

[ppointer]

Several months ago I watched a video on the CR Spotless. The video came from a YT channel of a VLogger regarding his RV. He was very happy with it as it simplified the chore of washing his 40' RV. No longer has to worry about water spots. He claimed something like 50 washes before having to replace the filter.

If I can find the link I will post it here.

[NoMods]

on the go DI system with bypass values, worth the $400

[biz77]

Build your own for about half the price.

https://www.amazon.com/MewMore-Sedim...%2C161&sr=1-12

https://www.amazon.com/Hydronix-EC-4...d_i=B01CFOFW0Q

https://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-DM...147506&sr=8-11

Various connectors and adapters can be found at your local home improvement store.

Go as fancy as you want: https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetaili...sher_spotless/

[Team Tonka]

The Adam's Polish one and CR Spotless look good.

I tested my TDS this weekend with a tester off Amazon. The one thing I'm confused about is my TDS with just cold water was around maybe 150ish, but with hot water was around 550ish.

I'd have thought hot water would be lower?? I have a water softener installed at my house and a whole house filter (which likely is already shot after a couple months of use)....

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Team Tonka

The one thing I'm confused about is my TDS with just cold water was around maybe 150ish, but with hot water was around 550ish.

That would indeed be unexpected. I know from being a coffee snob and homebrewer that the minerals are swapped, but the TDS is generally said to be expected to be the same. None will be removed however.

On topic, you could consider a small RO setup for $100 or less, i.e. for a fish tank. It won't flow fast enough to rinse the car of course but it could generate a few gallons that go in something like a hand-held sprayer?

Not as great an option obviously but depending on space available or how much you really feel like spending it might be an option.

[B58-M340iX]

Great post. When I finally add a DI setup, I'll wash/foam with non-DI water and then rinse with DI to help save on filters.

[icj_45e]

An idea that'll save you money, but will be a bit of a hassle:

Buy a few 5 gallon jugs of mineral free water from grocery store and a cheap sump pump. Final rinse can't use more than 5-10 gallons right?

Am I missing something?

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by icj_45e

Am I missing something?

The constant trips to the store. Do-able, but a pain.

[icj_45e]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

The constant trips to the store. Do-able, but a pain.

Hence my comment "but will be a bit of a hassle"

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by Team Tonka

Considering a de-ionized car wash kit for the final rinse to greatly reduce water spots.

I'd like something mobile on a cart preferably - ease of moving around is my intent.

I haven't found much out there except the two below, they aren't cheap, nor are replacing the filters/resin which concerns me on how long they will truly last until the filter/resin is depleted. I like that they both have a TDS meter/sensor.

What have others found that work?

https://www.amazon.com/CR-Spotless-D...zcF9hdGY&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/Filterelated-...63b24bcb5&th=1

You end up buying any of them?

[louielouie]

Overall life of the resin will greatly depend on the quality of your water from spigot. I've ran a DI-W20 for several years now on my pressure washer setup with a bypass and additional carbon/sediment pre-filters. I tend to need new resin every year washing 1 car once a week.

I've also been chemically refreshing my resin instead of buying new but there are times I've been lazy and just bought. It's a process but costs <$15.

The best way to get the most life is to run an RO membrane and have a reservoir since it has low GPM output but I've yet to look further into this seriously. My understanding is your get 10x (if not more) life out of the resin.

[allinon72]

CR Spotless with the downtube conversion kit and buy the resin in bulk. Considerably longer resin life because of the efficiency. It's the most economical way to get spot free water at home without spending thousands. Do not use the resin cartridges, that gets old (and expensive) FAST.

https://rv-mods.com/store/DIC20-conv...kit-p105868881

[louielouie]

Originally Posted by allinon72

CR Spotless with the downtube conversion kit and buy the resin in bulk. Considerably longer resin life because of the efficiency. It's the most economical way to get spot free water at home without spending thousands. Do not use the resin cartridges, that gets old (and expensive) FAST.

https://rv-mods.com/store/DIC20-conv...kit-p105868881

I have this as well. Makes taking the resin out a PITA. Most of the, "efficiency" could be from the increased volume but you can separate anion and cation resins with this setup.

One of the tubes from this kit also kept coming loose after a few months and my water was leaving spotting on and off which would require disassembly and fixing which sucks in itself. Had to buy new o ring to fix.

[Raimo5]

I have small, low flow reverse osmosis water filter. I use that to fill up 40 liter bucket and when I'm ready to do final rinse, I just release my pressure washer intake hose from wall tap and put it in a bucket full of RO water. Added benefit is that it also flushes pressure washer internals from dissolved solids. My little RO filter is almost 10 years old and still produces water with EC 0.02ms.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by allinon72

CR Spotless with the downtube conversion kit and buy the resin in bulk. Considerably longer resin life because of the efficiency. It's the most economical way to get spot free water at home without spending thousands. Do not use the resin cartridges, that gets old (and expensive) FAST.

https://rv-mods.com/store/DIC20-conv...kit-p105868881

That's exactly what I use and it's great. The tube conversion really does last longer and the bulk bag resin is cheaper than the CR Spotless cartridges. I use a 1 micron filter in line before the DI resin to filter out any fine particulate matter.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by louielouie

I have this as well. Makes taking the resin out a PITA. Most of the, "efficiency" could be from the increased volume but you can separate anion and cation resins with this setup.

One of the tubes from this kit also kept coming loose after a few months and my water was leaving spotting on and off which would require disassembly and fixing which sucks in itself. Had to buy new o ring to fix.

Really? I just gently empty out as much water as I can and then I just flip the container upside down and dump the rest into a plastic trash bag.

[Team Tonka]

Wow. Confusing me now. I like simple. None of this sounds all that simple just to rinse off my car and then replenish the resin simply and cost effective.

I like the discussion - keep it going, but hoping someone provides a good solution and how all this stuff is done, completely new to this concept!!!

[Team Tonka]

Originally Posted by loochy

That's exactly what I use and it's great. The tube conversion really does last longer and the bulk bag resin is cheaper than the CR Spotless cartridges. I use a 1 micron filter in line before the DI resin to filter out any fine particulate matter.

What version in-line filter did you use? - garden hose acceptable is what I'd need.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Team Tonka

What version in-line filter did you use? - garden hose acceptable is what I'd need.

I got a filter housing built for one of the 2.5x10 inch whole house filters, similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/Geekpure-10-I...1zcF9tdGY&th=1

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Team Tonka

Wow. Confusing me now. I like simple. None of this sounds all that simple just to rinse off my car and then replenish the resin simply and cost effective.

I like the discussion - keep it going, but hoping someone provides a good solution and how all this stuff is done, completely new to this concept!!!

It is actually pretty simple. You buy the DI housing, which is basically like a big water filter. You either fill it up with a premade cartridge or you just pour in resin from a bag (if you did the tube mod) every 10 washings or so (depending on your water hardness).

[eldyf93]

just get the kit from rv mods. 50 or 100. couple of hundred bucks is worth not having to throw together your own kit.