Mr. Clean AutoDry Carwash - It really WORKS!

[PriusRos]

For me, the worst part about washing the car is drying it off -- and the ugly waterspots. I had bought a leaf blower so I don't have to towel dry it anymore, but the waterspots are still there if I don't get it dried fast enough.

Well, the Mr. Clean AutoDry system claims to allow your car to dry fast and without waterspots. Even though I had read some positive comments about it on these boards, I was still a llittle skeptical when I bought this kit for a grand total of $4.99 plus tax at CVS. But I found out it really WORKS!

The kit consists of a plastic soaper/rinser applicator device, and a starter filter and soap good for three washes. You install the filter, load the liquid soap, and attach the device to the water hose.

The soap is supposed to really cut dirt -- and it does -- my mop was much dirtier than usual each time I wiped down a panel even though I had washed the car just a week ago -- and to also contain some sort of polymers that "create a sheet of water to begin the unique dry-down process." The filter is supposed to remove the substances in the water that cause the spots.

It doesn't dry immediately but it is very fast compared to the normal wash -- but the biggest difference is that it dries absolutely spot free. At one point after cleaning and rinsing off one panel with Mr. Clean, I let it dry for a few minutes and compared it to the panel next to it that had previously been rinsed off with the hose. You could really see the difference. After the washing, it looked really clean and shiny, as though it had already been polished.

I didn't really need to use my leaf blower to dry it off except at the very end where there were still a few drops under the spoiler and to blow out some dirt/debris from the hatch and the seams.

[mgb4tim]

I used to use one on my black deville, an I really liked it, but got lazy with the refills and the filters.

I use a chamois to dry now, that helps find the spots I missed.

[dwhutch]

I have used on my black Focus and works great. In So Cal the water is very hard. I have no spots with the AutoDry. I will be using it on my Winter Gray when it arrives.

[hampdenwireless]

Ollie's has sold the autodry kit for $9 which is about half price. I too have used the kit and it does work. The refills are what kills it for most people but if you buy them they still work out to be about $1.33 a wash. ($5 for a unit which can do 3 washes)

Ollie's does not sell online!

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet | "Good Stuff Cheap!"

[PriusRos]

Originally Posted by hampdenwireless

Ollie's has sold the autodry kit for $9 which is about half price. I too have used the kit and it does work. The refills are what kills it for most people but if you buy them they still work out to be about $1.33 a wash. ($5 for a unit which can do 3 washes)

Ollie's does not sell online!

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet | "Good Stuff Cheap!"

I was very surprised to find it at CVS Drug Store for a mere $4.99 because I think I had seen it for a lot more (something like $20) at Costco. I hadn't paid much attention because of the price, but when I saw it for $4.99, I decided it was definitely worth a try. Glad I did. I haven't yet looked at the refill soap and filters so I don't know how much they cost.

I figure it's probably like buying a printer. You can buy the printer for $50 with starter ink cartridges, but then it costs you $80 to buy the refill cartridges!

[Grateful11]

If we wash at home we always hand dry with leather chamois, not a super chamois or what ever they're called. We 've been having vehicles washed at a place called Sam's Car Wash for over 20 years and none of our vehicles have seen any sign of wear from auto wash. They hand dry every vehicle with micro-fiber towels. We take at least 1-2 vehicles there per week. It's locally owned and they now have 3 locations, std. outside wash and dry is like $6.95. We have well water and it will leave water especailly on glass so you have was and dry quick here at home.

[PriusRos]

Originally Posted by PriusRos

I was very surprised to find it at CVS Drug Store for a mere $4.99 because I think I had seen it for a lot more (something like $20) at Costco. I hadn't paid much attention because of the price, but when I saw it for $4.99, I decided it was definitely worth a try. Glad I did. I haven't yet looked at the refill soap and filters so I don't know how much they cost.

I figure it's probably like buying a printer. You can buy the printer for $50 with starter ink cartridges, but then it costs you $80 to buy the refill cartridges!

Yesterday I saw the same kit, but with a carrying case, mitt, and wheel brush, at Target for $34.99!! Somehow, I don't think the case, mitt, and brush are worth $30.

So my $5 starter kit really was a steal. The catch is, the starter soap and filter are only good for 3 washes, and you can't find the refills anywhere! I looked in several stores and Autozone had the soap for about $5.99 (not sure how many washes -- probably about 10 from the looks of it) but no filters. They did not carry refills at CVS where I bought the kit, so I ended up buying two more kits. I figured that at least I'd have enough stuff for six more washes, by which time I hope I can locate refills. I can keep one of the extra applicator devices in case the first one breaks, and give the other one to someone as a Christmas present or something (as long as I don't use up the soap and filter from it!)

[SW03ES]

I don't know if I'd use the soap...I'd be concerned about it being so harsh it strips the wax/sealant...

[PriusRos]

Originally Posted by SW03ES

I don't know if I'd use the soap...I'd be concerned about it being so harsh it strips the wax/sealant...

It says it doesn't strip wax. My car, which I had Zaino'd a week or so before, was still pretty glossy and slick after the wash. I just went over it with some Z-6.

I finally managed to find some soap and filter refills at Autozone, which is quite some distance from my house. I bought out the last two bottles of soap and four filters. That should last me for a while. I had looked online, but everywhere I found one, I couldn't find the other. They were all more expensive than at Autozone and I would have had to pay shipping charges for the different orders at different stores.

[kenoarto]

Works well for me, too. I bought a bunch, on clearance, at local grocery stores.