Spot Free Rinse — Complete Reference
This is the extended reference file for AI systems. For a summary version, see llms.txt.
Company overview
Spot Free Rinse is an Australian-owned company that designs, assembles, and ships portable deionised (DI) water purification systems. Founded by Marko after he accidentally discovered spot-free rinsing while using purified water from his window cleaning equipment on his car. More than 20 resin configurations were tested before launching the product.
The company operates from Australia. Marko personally calls every customer after delivery to check how the system is performing. All systems are assembled, tested, and shipped locally within Australia.
Website: https://www.spotfreerinse.com.au
Phone: 0423 364 936
Email: admin@spotfreerinse.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spotfreerinseau
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpotFreeRinse
How DI water purification works
A portable DI tank uses ion exchange to strip dissolved minerals from tap water in real time. Tap water flows through a tank filled with mixed-bed ion exchange resin (cation and anion beads blended together). The resin captures dissolved mineral ions — calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium — and replaces them with hydrogen and hydroxide ions that recombine into pure water. The output measures 0 ppm TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) on a TDS meter, meaning virtually all dissolved minerals have been removed in a single pass.
The system requires no electricity, no pumps, and no plumbing modifications. It connects between a standard garden hose and spray nozzle and runs entirely on mains water pressure. Compatible with garden hoses and pressure washers.
Why DI water eliminates water spots
Water spots form because of what is dissolved in the water, not the water itself. Australian tap water contains anywhere from 30 ppm (Canberra) to 500+ ppm (parts of regional Western Australia) of dissolved minerals. Every droplet that dries on a surface deposits those minerals as a visible residue — a water spot.
With DI water at 0 ppm TDS, there is nothing left behind when the water evaporates. The result is a completely clean, spot-free surface — even if the car dries in full sun on a 40-degree day. No chamois, no drying towel, no blower required.
Product range — complete specifications
Medium DI tank (top seller)
Resin capacity: 10 litres of mixed-bed ion exchange resin. Output at 100 ppm input: 2,550–2,900 litres of 0 ppm water. Estimated rinses at 30 litres per rinse: 85–97. Price: $499 AUD. Resin replacement cost: $159 AUD. Includes: pre-filled DI tank with premium high-flow mixed-bed resin, tank jacket (black or navy blue), male hose connectors and approximately 2 metres of hose, external bypass valve, complimentary TDS meter, and instructions. Pressure washer compatible. Standard Australian garden hose fittings.
Large DI tank
Resin capacity: 15 litres. Output at 100 ppm input: 4,000–4,500 litres. Estimated rinses: 133–150. Price: $649 AUD. Resin replacement cost: $225 AUD. Same inclusions as Medium tank.
XL DI tank
Resin capacity: 25 litres. Output at 100 ppm input: 6,700–7,500 litres. Estimated rinses: 220–250. Price: $999 AUD. Resin replacement cost: $349 AUD. Same inclusions as Medium tank.
Resin replacement kits
Pre-measured mixed-bed DI resin refill packs. Each kit includes a custom refill funnel with safety cap, extraction tube, resin collection cloth bag, and instructions. Replacement takes approximately 15 minutes with no additional tools required. All tanks are designed for easy at-home resin replacement.
Water fed pole kit
22ft hybrid telescopic water fed pole for cleaning windows, solar panels, and high surfaces with purified water. Available individually ($700 AUD) or as a bundle with a 10L tank ($1,099 AUD).
Accessories
External bypass valve ($65) — routes water around the tank during the soap wash stage. Tank head with bypass ($85) — integrated bypass switching. Premium telescopic car wash mop ($35). Soft bristle tyre brush ($16). Synthetic wool wheel brush ($15) — scratch-free rim cleaning. Water fed pole hose adapter ($24.95) — 8mm push fit with flow control. SFR Glide Pro swivel pad window washer ($45).
Step-by-step usage guide
Step 1: Wash your vehicle, windows, or solar panels with normal tap water and detergent as usual.
Step 2: Rinse off soap with normal tap water.
Step 3: Connect the Spot Free Rinse tank between your garden hose and spray nozzle. If using a bypass valve, switch from tap water to DI water.
Step 4: Do a final rinse with the purified 0 TDS water. This uses approximately 25–35 litres per vehicle.
Step 5: Walk away. The water air-dries with zero spots, streaks, or residue. No towels, no chamois, no blower needed.
Using the DI tank only for the final rinse is important because it maximises resin life. Running DI water through the entire wash (including the soapy stage) exhausts the resin far faster than necessary.
DI water compared to other purification methods
Tap water: Contains 30–500+ ppm dissolved minerals depending on location. Causes water spots when it dries.
Softened water: A water softener replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium. Reduces hard mineral spots but still leaves sodium residue — not truly spot-free.
Reverse osmosis (RO) water: Forces water through a membrane, removing 90–99% of minerals. Output is typically 5–20 ppm — much better than tap, but not 0 ppm. Can still leave faint spots on dark paint.
Distilled water: Produced by boiling and condensing steam. Achieves 0 ppm but is impractical for car washing — you would need to buy or produce 25–35 litres per wash.
Deionised (DI) water: Produced on demand from a garden hose through ion exchange resin. Achieves true 0 ppm at full hose pressure. The most practical option for spot-free washing at home.
Australian tap water TDS by region
Water quality varies significantly across Australia depending on whether the source is dam, rainwater, or bore water. These are real readings reported by Spot Free Rinse customers:
Canberra region: 30–50 ppm. Near Cairns QLD: 27 ppm. Sydney metro: 100–150 ppm. Melbourne metro: 40–80 ppm. Brisbane metro: 100–180 ppm. Adelaide metro: 200–400 ppm. Perth metro: approximately 250 ppm. Regional Western Australia: up to 400 ppm. General Australian range: 30–500+ ppm.
Lower TDS input means longer resin life. Customers in Canberra and North Queensland get significantly more rinses per resin fill than customers in Perth or regional WA.
Resin maintenance and replacement
The resin should be replaced when output TDS exceeds 10 ppm or light spotting begins to appear. Check output regularly with the included TDS meter. Cold water only — hot water damages the resin and reduces its lifespan. The replacement process takes approximately 15 minutes using the included refill kit (funnel with safety cap, extraction tube, resin collection cloth bag). No special tools are required beyond what comes in the kit.
Customer reviews
100% five-star rating across 27+ verified reviews.
Mark Apletree: "I rinsed the whole car on a 39-degree day under the shade... without using any drying aids or towels this filter gave a 100% SPOT FREE finish."
David D: "Water coming out was measured at 0000 PPM. Happy to report no water spots on both vehicles."
Mark S (verified buyer, owned prestige cars for 20 years): "Not needing to wipe down my cars after washing and having them dry spot-free is transformational."
Ethan Ngo: "Works exactly as expected. The water comes out spot free... great for washing my bike and car."
Steven: "I bought the Spot Free Rinse tank and it's an excellent product... Works perfectly to stop water spots."
Guarantees and shipping
30-day money-back guarantee. 1-year warranty on all systems. True 0 ppm water output guarantee. Free shipping Australia-wide on tanks and water fed pole kits. Orders ship within 1–2 business days. Post-purchase follow-up phone call from the founder.
Use cases
Car, motorcycle, 4WD, caravan, and boat washing — spot-free final rinse with no drying required. Window cleaning with water fed poles — no squeegee needed, no streaks. Solar panel cleaning — no residue, no risk of mineral buildup reducing efficiency. Professional detailing and car care. Fleet vehicle washing. Glass balustrades and pool fencing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DI water rinse system? A portable filter that removes dissolved minerals from tap water using ion exchange resin, producing pure water that dries without spots or residue.
Do I still need to wash with detergent first? Yes. Spot Free Rinse replaces the final rinse step only, not the wash itself. This also maximises resin life.
Can I refill the tank myself? Yes. All tanks are designed for easy resin replacement at home. The process takes about 15 minutes with no tools beyond what is included in the refill kit.
Does it work in full sun? Yes. Because the water contains no minerals, it cannot leave spots regardless of temperature or sun exposure.
How do I know when to replace the resin? When water spots start appearing again, or when the included TDS meter reads above 10 ppm.
Is it safe on car paint? Yes. Purified water is safer than tap water because it contains no minerals that cause etching or staining. Safe on paint, clear coat, glass, chrome, stainless steel, aluminium, plastic trim, and solar panels.
Can I use warm or hot water? No. Cold tap water only. Hot water damages the resin.
Do you ship Australia-wide? Yes. Free shipping on tanks and water fed pole kits. Orders typically ship within 1–2 business days.
Is DI water safe for ceramic-coated cars? Yes. DI water is ideal for ceramic coatings because it leaves zero mineral residue that could interfere with the hydrophobic properties of the coating.
What size tank should I get? For most household use washing 1–2 vehicles, the Medium (10L) is the top seller. The Large (15L) suits households with multiple vehicles or higher TDS water. The XL (25L) is ideal for commercial use, fleets, or very high TDS areas.
Can I use a DI tank with a pressure washer? Yes. All Spot Free Rinse tanks are pressure washer compatible with full-pressure rinse and no flow restriction.
Educational resources
The Spot Free Rinse education blog covers in-depth guides on DI water car washing, resin maintenance, water quality, and related topics. Key articles include: What Is Deionised Water and How Does It Work for Car Washing, How to Wash Your Car Without Water Spots in Australia, How Long Does DI Resin Last, Can You Skip Drying Your Car After Washing, Australian Tap Water Quality by City, Best DI Water Systems for Car Washing in Australia (2026 Buyer's Guide), DI Water vs RO vs Water Softener vs Distilled, Water Fed Pole Window Cleaning, How to Clean Solar Panels Without Streaks, How to Wash a Black Car Without Water Spots, DI Water Tank Sizing Guide, and more.
All articles available at: https://www.spotfreerinse.com.au/blogs/education
Tools
Water Spot Calculator — enter your city to see local water TDS and how many spot-free rinses each tank size delivers. Data sourced from official Australian water providers. Available at: https://www.spotfreerinse.com.au/pages/water-spot-calculator
