How fussy about washing?

[Fred Leeson]

I'd like to keep my paint in good condition, given that I tend to retain vehicles for many years. What's the best way to wash? Microfiber, yes....dish soap no? What do you recommend?

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[OleFordGuy]

Correct, No No No to dish soap. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Meguiar's products. Quality stuff, lots of cleaning/washing/waxing options, available most everywhere. Some examples:

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive...sophisticated-car-wash-gently-cleans-and-adds

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive...-long-lasting-ceramic-protection-easy-use-wax

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive...mely-plush-microfiber-wash-mitt-gently-waxing

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive...aner-all-purpose-interior-cleaner-quickly-and

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiarsr-ultimate-black-plastic-restorer-g15812-12-oz

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive...ltimate-all-wheel-cleaner-g180124-24-oz-spray

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiarsr-endurancer-tire-gel-g7516-16-oz-gel

 

[Mr Pibb]

I've found myself going down the rabbit hole with this guys channel when I was checking out clay bar methods. https://www.youtube.com/@imjoshv

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'd like to keep my paint in good condition, given that I tend to retain vehicles for many years. What's the best way to wash? Microfiber, yes....dish soap no? What do you recommend?

What ever is handy. Coin-OP sometimes
Tunnel car washes mostly.
The Tunnel of Torture for some.
With the spinning brushes of DEATH

 

[Waterick]

Regular washing as needed, definitely no dish soap (it will strip wax), a quality wash solution (with wax, if no ceramic coat) and micro fiber drying towel too. If ceramic coated, follow recommendations of that product for occasional touch up. Just my routine, this assumes you have already applied a good quality wax/ceramic protection. If you have not waxed or ceramic coated, a clay bar cleaning will prevent you from sealing micro contaminants in the paint prior to your protective coating and should be relatively easy on a new finish. For the most part, I don't consider myself that fussy about washing, not like I was when l was younger, but I still like a clean car. Best thing to preserve your paint is a garage, short of that keep it out of the sun. Don't park it under a dirty tree to do this though.​

 

[Fcnrwy]

Tunnel car washes.

ONLY!!
If they are "TOUCHLESS"!
NO Brushes or Cloths...

Jerry

 

[Lugnut]

Touchless wash EVERY DAY! Wax coat and wheel cleaning EVERY 4 WEEKS!

 

[Montana]

Get out the leafblower... blow it off. Done.

j/k. Sometimes.

 

[WoodWorks]

It's a truck. Not a Faberge egg. Run it through the car wash.

 

[MikeC]

Two bucket method for me. Quality car soap only. Soap gun to make sure there is plenty of soap on the car. Deionized water for spotless wash. Turtle Wax hybrid flex spray for a final wax as you dry step. Comes out show room appearing every time.

 

[MavDan]

I wash weekly, including Winter. I am sure it's over the top, but I like car detailing. I am a fan of Koch Chemie, Hybrid Solutions from Turtle wax, and the like.

Currently using Koch Chemie GSF foam for maintenance;

Koch Chemie GSF

Koch Chemie Pol Star or P&S Express for interior maintenance;

Koch Chemie Pol Star
P&S Express

Chemical Guys VRP diluted 10 - 1 for exterior plastics and tires;

Chemical Guys VRP

Meguiars Interior detailer as a finisher for interior;

Meguiars Quick Interior Detailer

Turtle Wax 53845 Ceramic Spray as a drying aid and sealer. I spray this on my wet Maverick and pressure wash off, then use it as a sealer for the paint instead of wax.

Turtle Wax 53845 Ceramic Mist Spray


I use this spray gun. Super easy trigger pull and the best quick connect I've used, ever.

Sooprinse Pressure Washer gun

I use this foam cannon. No need for an expensive one. they all work well;

Foam Cannon

I've used this Craftsman Pressure washer for a few years no without issue. it is quieter than my older Ryobi. goes on sale for $99 all the time at Lowes, sometimes includes a surface cleaner in the box.

Craftsman Pressure Washer

 

[Cigargoyle]

It's a truck. Not a Faberge egg. Run it through the car wash.

This. Been using brush car wash weekly for almost 3 years, looks as good as day one.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Foam cannon with Chemical Guys Watermelon foaming soap. Why watermelon? I have no idea, but the scent is nice. Of course I am the same guy that uses Pumpkin Spice Mobil One Oil too.

Cheap ass Greenworks 1500 psi pressure washer for the wheels and fender wells. Can also use on the entire truck if desired but watch that FX/4 sticker as it is not held on by much I have heard.

Dry with WallyWorld Microfiber towels that get washed after every use.

Just say NO to automatic car washes and dish soap (especially Dawn) unless you are one of those that kick their door open with their #12's and then complain the cheap ass door panels mar easily and use the passenger side floor as their primary trash bin.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Not very fussy. I don't know of any touchless automatic carwashes.
I am not going out of my way to find one.

Get out the leafblower... blow it off. Done.
j/k. Sometimes.

Never tried that

It's a truck. Not a Faberge egg. Run it through the car wash.

I agree .

This. Been using brush car wash weekly for almost 3 years, looks as good as day one.

Weekly....never. I do not get into town that often. If it gets somewhat bad I use the coin operated car wash. All depends on the time of day and if there's one close.
The wind blows over the desert and then a little sprinkle at night and this is what you get in the morning. And 110° plus it's going to stay like that till I can get into town.

Cover your eyes if you're easily offended.

To bob the builder
I try not to hit the door.
Sometimes it is unavoidable, I wear a size 14.

 

[Ranger 87]

It's a truck. Not a Faberge egg. Run it through the car wash.

Yes, very appropriate post. I just sold my 2006 Ranger with 226000 miles on it. All I did for the 18 years I owned it was take it to the coin op car wash, rinse, brush, rinse, dry with towel. I never even waxed it. People would marvel at the condition of the paint after all those years. I told them that it was probably painted on a day the workers were in a good mood.

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