Hand wash vs car wash

[Joeiconic]

My theory is that a good coat of dirt insulates and protects the paint so long as you don’t rub on it. So, I don’t rub on it. ?

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[GTGallop]

I would love a touchless or wand wash. Sadly I haven't seen a touchless one since we moved to AZ (too much water use?) and they only seem to put wand washes in the chitty parts of town. Last time I did find a wand wash, it cost as much in quarters just to do the outside as a full Super Deluxe at one of the car wash / gas stations where they run your car through a spinny microfober wash and then hand clean it - inside and out.

Sadly mine doesn't get washed as much as she should and I count on a thick layer of mud and dirt to act like a wax layer keeping the sun off of it. I would like to get a good hand wash and then clay-bar it though. Follow up with a nice wax or even ceramic coat it. Don't know why but that's like good therapy for the soul.

 

[Progeny2021]

Hand wash for me. I use an area detail shop that takes reservations. $35 for Ranger amounts to a mini detail, with washing and wiping out the bed. Always a generous tip.

 

[Msfitoy]

If I could afford a wrap, I'd do this after a deep detailing/ceramic treatment...

 

[Langwilliams]

My theory is that a good coat of dirt insulates and protects the paint

I had the under carriage sprayed with the protectant film stuff. They guy said road grime will stick to it an make a barrier against the salt so maybe your right lol. I had the car wash turn off the under body spray for my account until spring.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I've had mine since April and power washed it a dozen times or so in town. Power soap from the bottom up, power rinse from the top down, drive to dry.

 

[DFisher]

I work in construction, so my truck gets very dusty just sitting while at work. Pass the car wash on my way home. I have a membership at a full-service car wash. I get it washed almost every single day. Very happy with the results. No vehicle I have owned has ever been this clean on the outside (inside is a different story).

 

[jcru1017]

I live in an apartment and have unlimited access to the hoses. I wash about every other week. 2 bucket method and don’t use circular motions

 

[D Fresh]

13 months.

21,400 miles

Has only ever seen pay & spray and drive through (brushless) carwashes and waxes.

Good enough for the girls I hang out with.

Although one of the reasons I love white is how well it ages and hides flaws. Just so happened to get the best white.

 

[CB750F]

13 months.

21,400 miles

Has only ever seen pay & spray and drive through (brushless) carwashes and waxes.

Good enough for the girls I hang out with.

Although one of the reasons I love white is how well it ages and hides flaws. Just so happened to get the best white.

I can't forget the 70's white cars... the rust streaks were horrible.
I'll never buy white.

 

[AzScorpion]

I can't forget the 70's white cars... the rust streaks were horrible.
I'll never buy white.

I had a F150 around 2001 that did this. It always has those rust streaks along the lower sides and was a pain to get them out. Now with the newer detailing products like Ceramic Coatings and Graphene you won't get these. The old paste waxes just didn't do that good a job compared to todays products.

 

[D Fresh]

I can't forget the 70's white cars... the rust streaks were horrible.
I'll never buy white.

I can get that. But it's not 1970 anymore.

2011 White Platinum F-150

2011 Red of some sort F-150

The white one looks 5 years newer.

 

[BoilerMike]

Once a month. Free use of vacuum and towels.

https://valetwash.com/locations/manahawkin/

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

You wash your trucks? Man, I need to step up my game! Haha

 

[got3fords]

I usually hit the DIY wash places and keep a soft scrubber in the truck for stuff that won't immediately come off. My dealer offers a "deluxe clean" in which they clean the exterior and interior including windows, door sills and tire shine for $70. So do that a few times a year.

Rarely use them, but I am not too worried about auto washes with brushes. As long as the water flow is adequate it seems that debris is kept from building up. The water is flowing when the brushes spin up, so most crap should just be rinsing away.

My 2012 Focus was cleaned with the above sort of schedule for 156k miles and it looked great when I sold it. It was also Xylon'd several times.
Also, what's a foam blaster?

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