Soft water or not - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sounds_good · 06-06-2014, 09:52 AM

We have a water softener in our house and so 1 of our outdoor faucets is fed soft water, while the other is 'regular'. The regular water isn't extremely hard water, but hard enough that we wanted a water softener.

I am assuming that I should use the softened water while washing my Camaro, but wanted to get your opinions to be sure.

Soft? Regular? Doesn't really matter?

13lstuner · 06-06-2014, 10:12 AM

Soft will make water spots less likely, and easier to remove if they were to dry, So I would say if you had access to it use it.

JTruck · 06-06-2014, 04:06 PM

Soft.

KaBoom1701 · 06-06-2014, 04:39 PM

Use it if you can

MikeInAZ · 06-07-2014, 11:50 AM

Like others have stated, Go 100% soft water... If you happen to have any dried spots or streaks later in the day after washing it, take a spray bottle filled with soft water and dampen a microfiber, then wipe the spots off, works perfect every time.

All of the black window trim and porous plastics will last much longer with soft water as well, versus using harder water which is harsher on them, spotting, etc.

I wash all of my cars with soft water and they still look like the day I purchased them.

Nothing like a clean Camaro out there on the road...

sounds_good · 06-09-2014, 02:31 PM

Thanks so much for the input. It will be all soft, all the time.

Angelo@Autopia · 06-09-2014, 03:09 PM

Soft wash is the way to go, but remember to use less soap when washing the Camaro.....

Silent... · 06-09-2014, 07:26 PM

Our water system, including softener, is located in the garage and I had a "soft" water line ran to the outside just to wash vehicles. Previously the outside only had a faucet that was fed the water system just after the main pump, meaning it was not softened. What a difference it made, especially on my other vehicles including a black Silverado.

CamaroDreams07 · 06-09-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelo@Autopia

Soft wash is the way to go, but remember to use less soap when washing the Camaro.....

What?

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myold88 · 06-13-2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelo@Autopia

Soft wash is the way to go, but remember to use less soap when washing the Camaro.....

We just built a new house in Sarasota, Fl. The builder just informed me the area has hard water and not great for washing cars.
I guess that's true. This is after I had a water line added to my garage bay to keep my Camaro clean.....

..

Cuejo · 07-06-2014, 11:13 AM

Soft water cleans harder!
That's one if my company's tag lines

RiCorvette · 07-06-2014, 12:18 PM

soft water will suds up the soap better, so less is needed, or so says the soft water system seller...

I wonder too, less or no minerals in the water mean no included abrasives to scratch the clear coat - logically - right?

Soft Water is def. a plus to avoid hard water spots if left to air dry. I hadda spend a good deal of time polishing my car recently 'cause the neighbor's industrial water sprinkler soaked my car, completely, while I was away and it dried in the hot sun before I could get to it. 2 coats of CGs Jet Seal 109 and a coat or two of wax didn't help protect it, btw.

JTruck · 07-06-2014, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricamaro

soft water will suds up the soap better, so less is needed, or so says the soft water system seller...

I wonder too, less or no minerals in the water mean no included abrasives to scratch the clear coat - logically - right?

Soft Water is def. a plus to avoid hard water spots if left to air dry. I hadda spend a good deal of time polishing my car recently 'cause the neighbor's industrial water sprinkler soaked my car, completely, while I was away and it dried in the hot sun before I could get to it. 2 coats of CGs Jet Seal 109 and a coat or two of wax didn't help protect it, btw.

Ouch. I have seen some insane water etching from sprinkler systems, quite unfortunate.

Jrichards73 · 07-06-2014, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

We just built a new house in Sarasota, Fl. The builder just informed me the area has hard water and not great for washing cars.
I guess that's true. This is after I had a water line added to my garage bay to keep my Camaro clean.....

..

http://www.purewaterproducts.com/garden-hose-filters

Problem solved.

06-06-2014, 09:52 AM	#1
sounds_good Drives: 2013 SS Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Omaha Posts: 10	Soft water or not We have a water softener in our house and so 1 of our outdoor faucets is fed soft water, while the other is 'regular'. The regular water isn't extremely hard water, but hard enough that we wanted a water softener. I am assuming that I should use the softened water while washing my Camaro, but wanted to get your opinions to be sure. Soft? Regular? Doesn't really matter?

06-06-2014, 10:12 AM	#2
13lstuner Drives: 2013 2LS BLK Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,444	Soft will make water spots less likely, and easier to remove if they were to dry, So I would say if you had access to it use it. __________________

06-06-2014, 04:06 PM	#3
JTruck Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,693	Soft. __________________ Detailing is an involuntary obsession.

06-06-2014, 04:39 PM	#4
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	Use it if you can __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

06-07-2014, 11:50 AM	#5
MikeInAZ Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS 1LE, AGM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: AZ Posts: 332 View My Garage	Like others have stated, Go 100% soft water... If you happen to have any dried spots or streaks later in the day after washing it, take a spray bottle filled with soft water and dampen a microfiber, then wipe the spots off, works perfect every time. All of the black window trim and porous plastics will last much longer with soft water as well, versus using harder water which is harsher on them, spotting, etc. I wash all of my cars with soft water and they still look like the day I purchased them. Nothing like a clean Camaro out there on the road... __________________ Roto-Fab CAI, #8 Fuse Pull, 1LE Emblems, misc cosmetic changes, and a mod list that is a mile long.

06-09-2014, 02:31 PM	#6
sounds_good Drives: 2013 SS Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Omaha Posts: 10	Thanks so much for the input. It will be all soft, all the time.

06-09-2014, 03:09 PM	#7
Angelo@Autopia Drives: 2014 Ford Focus ST Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 939	Soft wash is the way to go, but remember to use less soap when washing the Camaro.....

06-09-2014, 07:26 PM	#8
Silent... Drives: 2012 2LT RS White Born: 11/10/11 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 313	Our water system, including softener, is located in the garage and I had a "soft" water line ran to the outside just to wash vehicles. Previously the outside only had a faucet that was fed the water system just after the main pump, meaning it was not softened. What a difference it made, especially on my other vehicles including a black Silverado. __________________ Grey Hockey Stripes; Heritage Grill; GM GFX - Unpainted Argent Gray; GM Dovetail Spoiler; Rivercity Creations custom painted rear bowtie, RS & Taillight Bezels; MRR M017 Graphite Wheels; Nitto NT555 G2; ACS 4Teen Heat Extractor RX Catch Can;CAI; MF Exhaust; VMAX CNC Spiral Ported TB; Overkill Stage 1 Supercharger System; Hotchkis Comp Sway Bar Set w/ End Links, Cadillac CTSV 4 Piston Brembos on all corners with SS Black Hat Rotors Youtube Channel - HPDE Driving Videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpO...8aw6hgX3O1Uh7A

07-06-2014, 11:13 AM	#11
Cuejo Drives: 2013 2ss/rs Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Edmonton Posts: 146	Soft water cleans harder! That's one if my company's tag lines __________________ https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cu...91413687562859 http://www.youtube.com/user/cuejoscuerepair

07-06-2014, 12:18 PM	#12
RiCorvette Drives: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport 3LT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Center of the known Universe Posts: 863	soft water will suds up the soap better, so less is needed, or so says the soft water system seller... I wonder too, less or no minerals in the water mean no included abrasives to scratch the clear coat - logically - right? Soft Water is def. a plus to avoid hard water spots if left to air dry. I hadda spend a good deal of time polishing my car recently 'cause the neighbor's industrial water sprinkler soaked my car, completely, while I was away and it dried in the hot sun before I could get to it. 2 coats of CGs Jet Seal 109 and a coat or two of wax didn't help protect it, btw.