TDS levels

Hi all,

Does someone know what are the accepted TDS levels for
the water used in the following cycles?

pre-soak (Lo & Hi PH)
Rinse
Sealant
Spot-Free rinse

Thanks.

You usually want soft water - that's a different test from TDS. Is your soft water very high in total dissolved solids even after softening?

Spot-free should be 30 or lower. Some equipment manufacturers recommend 50 or lower, but I've seen it spot pretty badly at 50.

Tim01: Check with your chemical supplier to see what their tolerances are for presoak and sealant.

MEP1: You can spot badly at a TDS of 50. You can spot badly at a TDS of 0. Drying agents, sealants, etc are not formulated with "solids" so they do not register any TDS. Drying agents can leave spots when used in excess or if manufactured incorrectly.

Hi Presoak diluted with any city water should titrate a 15 to 20 (1% acid test kit). Lo Presoak is tested as it falls off the car. Any detection of acid before it hits the ground is to much. Adjust to your dirtiest car.
Rinse. City water
Sealant. Depends on how you dry.
Spot free. Self explanatory Zero, not, nada
one drop of spot free on a clean black car sitting in the hot sun will leave zero spot.