Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - washing vehicle

when washing a vehicle in the shade using soft water should I end up with a lot of water spots on windows paint and all. it has been waxed fairly recently. i was told that was not supposed to happen with soffened water.

You may wind up with water spots, but you shouldn't get the hard mineral deposits that are a bear to remove and can damage the paint. Are you sure the water supply you are using is softened? I know sometimes they don't do all the outside faucets.

Always best to dry it after washing or use one of the spray on detailers that can go on when the car is wet. I really like the Eagle 1 Nano-wax, but I'm sure the other brands are just as good. Or get the wife and kids involved.

I have the same issue here in N AZ, even in the shade. The humidity is so low(10-15%) and temp so high (95-105), the water evaporates quicker than I can dry it off, unless I only do about 1 panel at a time.

Soft water should not leave spots but softened water will. There is a difference.

The TDS in softened water is actually higher than the water before it is treated. This high TDS will leave spots. However, these are sodium spots and not those cause by calcium carbonate from hard water.

Calcium spots are not water soluable and need special attention to remove. Sodium spots are water soluable and can be removed with a towel moistened with RO water. This is why car washes have spot-free rinse cycles.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

I only have two outside faucets and the only one that has hard watter is in the front of the house. I have to run hose from the front of the house to the back yard so i can water roses and other things. the only thing the other faucet is good for is washing the car. thats why i do not want water spots. thats one of the main reasons i got the thing,not the only reason. it gets the glasses good and clean.
does it make a difference if i use hot water when washing the car or not?
Also whats the difference between soft water and softend water? Im confused on that one!

Also whats the difference between soft water and softend water? Im confused on that one!

Soft water is water with the absence of hardness minerals. Softened water is water whereby the hardness minerals have been removed either by an ion exchange process, membrane technolog and, in a way, by a freezing method.

Naturally soft water is found in areas where limestone or marble are not found in the earth. On the east coast, Maine and parts of Texas (where pH is very low) among other locations, granite or other minerals that don't contain hardness minerals, well water is often very soft.

Surface water from ponds, streams, lakes, etc., also are natuarally soft in many areas. Funny, though, some surface water can still contain many minerals found in well waters and need to be softened. I have seen high iron and hardfness coming right out of Lake Erie.

Some naturally soft water may contain other hurdles to jump such as organics, low pH, mineral acids, tannins, industrial/farming chemicals, etc. These need alternative/additional water treatment equipment.

Does that answer your question?

Andy Chrisb

Its starting to soak in.
I was raised on the farm and all my life and most all the farmers i new,"Old timers " said that well water was hard water . I guess that was what they were always told it was also.
I'm not doubting you at all. i just dont know anything about water ecept it gets you clean and you can cook with it.
Would it help me if i were using warm or hot water to wash my car?. when i wash it in the car wash it is steaming when it comes out.