[O.J.Sakuma]

Ok, I know, strange. It's not on purpose. I paved an area on the backside of the house, so I can drive around to the back, to wash my car.

I also have a household water softener. It's upfront of the plumbing, so everything back is soft water. So there is only one hose bib that is "not soft" and straight from the city.

Soft water is good for dishes, it leaves no spots. It's good for your hair. Makes the soap more effective. Etc, etc.

Is soft water good on the paint? I'm asking because the water softener pellets are basically salt, or other similar stuff.

Or it's really not a big deal?

 

[Evil Minion]

It's better than the hard water due to fewer minerals in it that's for sure when it comes to washing a car. Still, no big deal.

 

[A Guy]

Soft water will always be better. The shampoo will be more effective, and there will be less spots from minerals in the rinse water. I doubt there are any negatives to washing with soft water. A Guy

 

[Cuda340]

Soft water is best, especially if you wash your car in the sun. It will not leave water rings on your paint if it dries, unlike hard water with its mineral deposits.

 

[Golfnut]

Soft water is definitely what to use given the choice. At the self service car washes where you toss in a bunch of quarters, the "spot free rinse" setting uses soft water. How do I know? Years ago I worked for a water softener retailer that serviced the softener at our local self serve car wash.

 

[zbrewha863]

Yeah +1 for soft water. The good mobile detailers actually have portable water softeners in their rigs. Mainly for water spots.

 

[O.J.Sakuma]

Since posting this thread, I try to stage it. I need a longer hose. I will start using soft water.

 

[SRT8outtaLA]

you can use distilled water with a rinse free system. i got the chemcial guys wash were you add the solution with distilled water, put it in this pump bottle that pressurizes and you can spray and wipe. it's an option if you don't want minerals from the tap

 

[LT1 Iron]

Soft water has salt, so it will promote rust. Check out Griot's Garage catalog, they have some options for home setups to filter the water before it comes out of the hose.

 

[K-Dawg]

The salt in soft water will leave a white residue of you don't hand dry right away.