Basic wash and wax suggestions?

[mh1926]

Looking for input on the easiest/simplest way to clean the truck. I don't want it to stand out and be noticeable so no super glossy finish or detailing or anything just want to keep it in good condition and protect the paint the best I can. I was thinking of using optimum no rinse (or their regular car wash) and then their spray wax. Is that good enough or should I be looking at other products. I have no clue what to use since I've always had family hand me down beaters and just drove through a car wash but not going to do that when i get the mav.

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[Rentman1225]

I would suggest a rinseless wash. Optimum No Rinse, ONR, is a great product. I have tried many other rinseless products. For the most part they all perform similar. I really like Wolfgang Uber with SIO2. For the drying aid you can dilute your rinseless wash to a different ratio and use it. However, I prefer, Technicians Choice TEC582 Ceramic Detail Spray.

It sounds like you are familiar with the rinseless wash method but there are a ton of YouTube videos for those that aren't.

I should add I usually use the rinseless wash weekly. If you are going to wash your car less frequently you may want to look into a more traditional bucket wash.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Probably your best bet are the turtle was hybrid ceramic products, available in spray or rub on. Also the 303 product line of vehicle care products

 

[rlhdweman]

I prefer to hand wax once a year, then use auto washes throughout the year, I usually go for the medium cost ones. I did this with my last car & after 18 years it looked as good as the day I bought it new.

 

[Darnon]

Optimum No Rinse and the Turtle Wax Ceramic Wet application formula work good for me. The regular TW spray ceramic I found a bit streaky so I just use it for my wheels and/or Hot Shine aerosol which is Plasti Dip friendly.

 

[RatherBeDrivingaManual]

Drive though car wash is fine if its touchless. A drive through touch wash will scratch up your paint. Don't do it. Or just go to the booth they give you a hose that shoots water & soap and do a touchless wash. I do this in the winter when its too cold to use my pressure washes & be outside washing.

I do one super big detail & wash after winter to decontaminate them. Because I have 3 cars the rest of the year I give them the good enough wash. Best I can with my pressure washer (touchless), then a touch wash. Best I can in 1 day. I can't spend 3 days cleaning vehicles. I spend a lot of my time cleaning the glass for safety/visibility. Maybe once per year if they're really bad I'll do a clay bar.

You will never be able to skip all the work & elbow grease a touch wash takes. If your vehicle isn't super dirty you can just do a touchless wash. If your vehicle is dirty you need to get the soap, two buckets, scrubbing mitts, grit guards, tire brushes etc. and physically remove the dirt & contaminants embedded in the paint.

AFTER a good clean then you can protect your paint

This TurtleWax Graphene Flex Wax HANDSDOWN is the easiest & simplest & quickest product to get a very glossy finish with close to no work. I don't care about the glossy look, I could live without it, but it's nice this product does it. It will keep your paint in good condition and protect the paint. It has ABOVE excellent water beading and sheeting, all for basically low to no work. I find it last really well too.

Two sprays per panel then buff/rub away with a microfiber. After the first application you can just spray and use a hose or pressure washer to apply. Amazon It's a tiny bit expensive... but its worth it for how GOOD of a result you get with little to no work.

Click for Better info on this, video from a professional
Both this guy ^ Pan the Organizer & ChrisFix on youtube have excellent videos on cleaning cars.

 

[TheSEARCH]

Use a ceramic of some sort. Wax is hundred year old tech. Oh sometimes a manufacturers call there ceramic coating a wax even though they are not a wax. I think as some people have wax on their mind when it comes to a car coating.

 

[WJOHNM]

I just did my truck with Cerakote Ceramic spray on wax took 30/45 minutes to do the whole truck and its slick nothing sticks to it rain Justs rolls off, vehicle always looks clean. I watched a doz videos on the tube theres a endless amounts of products out there and detailers reviews on spray on/off products. Don't know how long it lasts But I already have a bottle of 303 graphene nano going to try, they say will last a year so I figure it could last 6 months. These products limit the amount of car washes you have to do. I was on some dirt roads last week and got sick at the dust and dirt on my vehicle by the time I got home the truck was 90% clean and had to hose off the trim and inner wheel wells. Whatever you use just make sure the vehicle is clean when you apply it.

 

[MaverRick]

Probably your best bet are the turtle was hybrid ceramic products, available in spray or rub on. Also the 303 product line of vehicle care products

I apply a coat of Turtle Wax ceramic 3 n 1 detailer a couple times per year right before the love bugs come out. Ugh, its that time again!! I use Aerospace 303 on the Tonneau Cover.

 

[Exranger]

Drive though car wash is fine if its touchless. A drive through touch wash will scratch up your paint. Don't do it. Or just go to the booth they give you a hose that shoots water & soap and do a touchless wash. I do this in the winter when its too cold to use my pressure washes & be outside washing.

I do one super big detail & wash after winter to decontaminate them. Because I have 3 cars the rest of the year I give them the good enough wash. Best I can with my pressure washer (touchless), then a touch wash. Best I can in 1 day. I can't spend 3 days cleaning vehicles. I spend a lot of my time cleaning the glass for safety/visibility. Maybe once per year if they're really bad I'll do a clay bar.

You will never be able to skip all the work & elbow grease a touch wash takes. If your vehicle isn't super dirty you can just do a touchless wash. If your vehicle is dirty you need to get the soap, two buckets, scrubbing mitts, grit guards, tire brushes etc. and physically remove the dirt & contaminants embedded in the paint.

AFTER a good clean then you can protect your paint

This TurtleWax Graphene Flex Wax HANDSDOWN is the easiest & simplest & quickest product to get a very glossy finish with close to no work. I don't care about the glossy look, I could live without it, but it's nice this product does it. It will keep your paint in good condition and protect the paint. It has ABOVE excellent water beading and sheeting, all for basically low to no work. I find it last really well too.

Two sprays per panel then buff/rub away with a microfiber. After the first application you can just spray and use a hose or pressure washer to apply. Amazon It's a tiny bit expensive... but its worth it for how GOOD of a result you get with little to no work.

Click for Better info on this, video from a professional
Both this guy ^ Pan the Organizer & ChrisFix on youtube have excellent videos on cleaning cars.

Just waxed with this today. Used this product for about a year, love it. I spray on a wet car just washed and clayed then wipe off with a deluxe wet microfiber, keep wringing it out until car is dry. First time washing @ about three weeks 600 mi. Did the wheels too with a separate regular microfiber then throw it away.

 

[KSC Grey Ghost]

I use everything . Wash the truck by hand has been through the car wash to get winter road grime and salt off underneath. Use turtle wax and wash , use McGuire's spray wax and dry , McGuire's hybrid ceramic spray and dry, Eagle One spray wax and dry, Turtle Wax spray and dry. The wife and I just use whatever is on the garage shelf at the time nothing Pacific.

 

[RatherBeDrivingaManual]

Just waxed with this today. Used this product for about a year, love it. I spray on a wet car just washed and clayed then wipe off with a deluxe wet microfiber, keep wringing it out until car is dry.

Yeah, easiest product to apply

 

[Fix4Dirt]

ONR would be good. but if you have access to hose and bucket that's ideal. as far as wax/coating ive had good luck w the megs one in the liquid or the TW hybrid ceramic spray

 

[MakinDoForNow]

H

Drive though car wash is fine if its touchless. A drive through touch wash will scratch up your paint. Don't do it. Or just go to the booth they give you a hose that shoots water & soap and do a touchless wash. I do this in the winter when its too cold to use my pressure washes & be outside washing.

I do one super big detail & wash after winter to decontaminate them. Because I have 3 cars the rest of the year I give them the good enough wash. Best I can with my pressure washer (touchless), then a touch wash. Best I can in 1 day. I can't spend 3 days cleaning vehicles. I spend a lot of my time cleaning the glass for safety/visibility. Maybe once per year if they're really bad I'll do a clay bar.

You will never be able to skip all the work & elbow grease a touch wash takes. If your vehicle isn't super dirty you can just do a touchless wash. If your vehicle is dirty you need to get the soap, two buckets, scrubbing mitts, grit guards, tire brushes etc. and physically remove the dirt & contaminants embedded in the paint.

AFTER a good clean then you can protect your paint

This TurtleWax Graphene Flex Wax HANDSDOWN is the easiest & simplest & quickest product to get a very glossy finish with close to no work. I don't care about the glossy look, I could live without it, but it's nice this product does it. It will keep your paint in good condition and protect the paint. It has ABOVE excellent water beading and sheeting, all for basically low to no work. I find it last really well too.

Two sprays per panel then buff/rub away with a microfiber. After the first application you can just spray and use a hose or pressure washer to apply. Amazon It's a tiny bit expensive... but its worth it for how GOOD of a result you get with little to no work.

Click for Better info on this, video from a professional
Both this guy ^ Pan the Organizer & ChrisFix on youtube have excellent videos on cleaning cars.

HEY I SCORED FOUR (4) OF THESE ON THE CLEARANCE RACK AT MY HEB FOR $4.95 EACH!

 

[Old Man]

Ceramic and graphene are so old school. Americium wax protecterant makes the color glow.

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