Car wash and Wax

[Jamieb]

Have you guys found a car washing soap with wax in it that works well?
Not having to dry off the car to minimize water spots would be a plus.

Thanks Jamie

[MADMAX]

I use turtle wax ceramic wash
And their ceramic coating spray
Works for me

[Stein]

I don't think too many people wax their car anymore, the spray ceramics work pretty well as long as you reapply often.  For soaps, I usually use Adam's car shampoo.

[30.06]

I like Armor All Ultra Shine Wash & Wax better than Meguiar's

[CP]

Once or twice a year I use a cleaning wax like FW1 or something similar.  It’s the only thing that I’ve found that will remove the sticky pollen layer that the trees around here puke out.  It also is somewhat effective at removing sap.  Once it’s on it provides a protective layer that makes it easier to remove new layers of that sticky crude.
It does take more than a little effort to clean off the crude and buff out.

I’d like to find something that can be easily sprayed on and rinsed off that actually works but, so far, no luck in that search.

[MR5x5]

What is this "car washing" you speak of?

[Oldguy]

What is this "car washing" you speak of?

It's that process that uses machinery spewing soap and water all over your vehicle and then blow drying it.

[actionshooter]

 I use Alder branches on narrow roads for my truck... but I do use Griots on my nicer cars..  https://www.griotsgarage.com/wash-detail/

[Oldguy]

Wow! I never considered that those brushy forest roads were a plus. The scratching sound will have a new meaning and it will be a plus if it happens to be raining.

[Jamieb]

thank guys

[fliesitdies]

As mentioned Griots garage products are great. I use Meguiars soap and Griots wax. Here's a tip how to remove Pitch, Sap, or anything else that sticks to your vehicle. Rub a little Butter on it and it will come right off.

[b23]

Have you guys found a car washing soap with wax in it that works well?
Not having to dry off the car to minimize water spots would be a plus.

Thanks Jamie

It kind of works just the opposite of what you think.  A vehicle that is waxed well or has been ceramic coated the water beads up and tends to water spot worse then a vehicle that hasn't because with the no waxed vehicle the water kind of runs off in sheets.  If it's a vehicle that gets washed or rained on and just sits it tends to water spot less then the waxed one.  Now if both get driven and has air flow over it the waxed up one the water blows off so much easier/faster.

I washed my wife's car and my truck this week.  Wife's car has been ceramic coated but I haven't had my truck done yet.  The water beads up instantly on her car and blows off slick as he11 with the leaf blower and barely needs more then a hand towel to finish drying it.  With my truck it's like I'm blowing glue off of it not water.

It's not cheap but if you like having your vehicles clean and looking good have them professionally ceramic coated it's money well spent.  The DIY ceramic sprays work ok-ish but you have to keep reapplying them on a regular basis where as with the professionally done ceramic coating it keeps that slick surface for years.

[Igottanewknee]

What is this "car washing" you speak of?

I've heard that people do that...only seen the wife do anything like that around our house. Once or twice a year for the car,  maybe once a year for the truck. It has to be during the rainy time of year...need to soften up the dirt that's on it if you want to get it somewhat clean.

[PsoasHunter]

Dawn dish soap works fine, but I'm not washing anything fancy.

[jackelope]

Dawn dish soap works fine, but I'm not washing anything fancy.

If you’re washing anything with paint on it, you should stay away from the dish soap.

[bobcat]

What is this "car washing" you speak of?

I've heard that people do that...only seen the wife do anything like that around our house. Once or twice a year for the car,  maybe once a year for the truck. It has to be during the rainy time of year...need to soften up the dirt that's on it if you want to get it somewhat clean.

 

My new truck is black, so it's definitely not something I can wash only once a year, more like once a week. Of course my old truck was dark blue so really not any different. You'd think I would have learned after all these years and bought a white or silver truck instead of black.

And no, I don't use Dawn dish soap, but I used to on my old truck. This new truck I'm actually thinking of paying to have it ceramic coated like b23 mentioned.

[Stein]

Having it done professionally is the only way to make it last more than about 6 months in the summer.  In the winter, maybe 6 weeks if you do it yourself and I have tried all the top sprays as well as the Amazon Chinese coatings that are supposedly the same as the ones pros have access to.

In the summer, I'll do a DIY coating and it will work great until the rain hits and then I don't worry about it until next June when I fix all the hunting scratches and anything else I have the patience and time to tackle.

[RightPlace-RightTime]

Second the using my leaf blower now every time I wash our vehicles. Works pretty damn good

[MADMAX]

Like I said I use the turtle wax ceramic spray  and the ceramic wash
Leaf blower for sure afterwards
I also run it through the local touchless car wash from time to time and throw the 4 bucks extra for ceramic spray
White Tundra crewmax always looks clean
Even when it’s dirty🤣

[b23]

This new truck I'm actually thinking of paying to have it ceramic coated

If you've never had a vehicle ceramic coated by a good professional detail shop I'll warn you ahead of time so you don't gasp when they tell you how much, it's expensive.  But, it is probably the best money I've ever spent on a vehicle.  My wife's car is going on its fourth year after having it done and it is just as slick today as it was when it was done nearly four years ago.

Had our Wrangler done right after we bought it and last fall I had it in some tight spaces with bushes and branches scraping down both sides.  It was dry and covered in dust.  When I finally had a chance to stop and look it over because it was so dust covered it looked like it was all scratched to he11 and I was so pissed at myself but when I got home and got it washed up there wasn't a single scratch on it anywhere except the plastic fender flares.

I cheaped out on my truck and I've been using the DIY spray on ceramic coating stuff.  I've used 3-4 different ones and they're all pretty close to the same and do a decent job as long as you keep reapplying them on a regular basis but that spray on ceramic stuff is not even close to having a ceramic coating done by a good pro detail shop.

It's money well spent and I highly recommend it.

[MADMAX]

It is spendy

Average Industry Costs
The typical cost for professional ceramic coating services throughout the United States falls between $1,000 and $2,500. This price bracket represents the baseline for a quality application that involves not only labor but also high-quality materials, which are essential for achieving durable results. Additionally, regional differences play a significant role in determining costs. In more rural areas, you might find rates leaning closer to that lower cost range. It’s worth noting that while saving money is always appealing, skimping on quality ceramic coatings may lead to subpar protection or longevity of your vehicle's finish. If you aim to maintain your car's aesthetic appeal and value over time, investing in reputable service typically pays off.

[JJJ]

I use Griots ceramic as well... 2-3 times a year max... bubbles up great- if it doesn't, it needs reapplied...I love the leaf blower idea; my shammy soaks up quick with the water spots/bubbles!   Keep it out of the sun as much as possible... yer good to go....

[Dansk]

Ive owned only black hunting rigs for 30 yrs.. tried everything.. Hands down, Griotts 3 in 1 ceramic. (Green Spray). 2x per year. Hides all my trail rash and swirl marks on my Black Tundra and looks new.  And its been abused. Spray and wipe. Will never go back to paste or liquid.  People always compliment and ask what i use. No buffing, no haze. Will use Meguires Ultimate or liquid Rubbing or Polishing Compound with a high speed buffing wheel for deeper scratches and follow with Griotts 3 in 1.