Car wash tips

[Savage160]

I drive up to the car wash entrance, the employee guides me into the rails, he tells me to stop and put it in neutral, I give him the thumbs up and I sit back and relax.

Haha!

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[JrHDRanger]

I drove straight to detailer after I picked mine up and had a 5yr graphene-reinforced ceramic coating put on after paint correction. I went through a touchless car wash 1 time in 25000 miles and it was dirtier than when I went in. I completely avoid car washes at all cost. I just spray down and hand wash once every 2 months and wipe dry with yellow microfiber towels from Walmart I pick up every few months. In between I wipe down with Armor All Podium Series Hybrid Ceramic Spray. That’s the one I found I prefer that gives me the longest lasting high gloss shine. Clean everything with it. Body, windows, trim, tire sidewalls and my black Fabulous Fabrications exaust pipes. I’ve got a few rock chips but no scratches or swirl marks in the paint at all. Looks better than the day I bought it. I just use water straight from the garden hose. The ceramic coating and the ceramic detail spray make it really easy to dry, water mostly just runs off.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

I started using the Rain-X spot free car wash. it cuts WAY down on the water spots.

 

[TWiyrick]

Nice! Which one do you recommend? I just looked and it seems like there are a lot of options haha!

I use the Harbor Freight battary operated blower... It works very well and I already have the Bauer Battaries for my other tools...

 

[TBone4Eva]

Or just wash it and go watch TV when done. Don't worry about possible spots or dirt since it's inevitable.

This is what I do. Unless you're entering in your truck in a show or about to apply wax or something, it seems kind of waste to put in so much effort in washing when you're going to get just a couple of days out of it before weather and road grime put stuff back on it.

 

[rlorion1]

I use a dedicated car blower...I think it's called Shelandy from Amazon. Its on wheels and has 2 heat setting and 2 blower setting and a long hose. Also do the bulk drying with my drying towels. I went to a car wash and was kicked out due to that particular one causing scratches on another raptor I guess. So, I just hand wash it now. I also have the hand held blowers...one wolfbox and one fantikk and a type s one as well.

 

[bluemarlin25]

Waterless car wash like they use on airplanes

Amazon sells it….Aero waterless wash and wax

won’t work on extremely muddy trucks….but for most situations, it’s better and faster

 

[bigb]

This is what I do. Unless you're entering in your truck in a show or about to apply wax or something, it seems kind of waste to put in so much effort in washing when you're going to get just a couple of days out of it before weather and road grime put stuff back on it.

Some of us are lifelong car guys and we treat all our vehicles like show cars. I don't play golf so this is my golf. I'll stop when they pry my sponge out of my cold, dead hands.

 

[CaptAngry]

I used to hand wash, but now I use a commercial touchless wash... their driers suck so I just drive. Sometimes I'll wipe down things like the door jams. My opinion is the truck gets dirty in a few days anyway. A few times a year I will wipe the truck down with ceramic polish (currently using Griot's 3-in-1).

A clean truck looks good but it is way too much effort to me to keep it showroom shiny all the time. I got the truck to use it. Also why I don't bother with full PPF or ceramic coatings. It is a Ranger, not a Rolls

 

[Northislander]

Wash? My Raptor only gets washed when I get it serviced. But it does 25 miles of dirt road every day

 

[snm928]

Along with becoming absolutely obsessed with tinkering on my truck after getting my Ranger, I’ve become pretty consumed with keeping my truck clean, inside and out. I was wondering if you guys had any best practices for washing the truck?

My current struggle is figuring out how best to dry my truck. I don’t enjoy using drying towels especially because it’s been so hot that the water dries before I can get to it with the towel and then I have to deal with the water stains… I’ve been curious about using a blower and have seen some videos about people using the Wolfbox blowers to dry their cars, but I didn’t know if that was an internet fad or if it’s legit. Anyone have experience with using something of this nature? Or is towel drying the best approach?

https://a.co/d/02IX97hZ

Along with becoming absolutely obsessed with tinkering on my truck after getting my Ranger, I’ve become pretty consumed with keeping my truck clean, inside and out. I was wondering if you guys had any best practices for washing the truck?

My current struggle is figuring out how best to dry my truck. I don’t enjoy using drying towels especially because it’s been so hot that the water dries before I can get to it with the towel and then I have to deal with the water stains… I’ve been curious about using a blower and have seen some videos about people using the Wolfbox blowers to dry their cars, but I didn’t know if that was an internet fad or if it’s legit. Anyone have experience with using something of this nature? Or is towel drying the best approach?

Different colors for different tasks. Washing, drying, wheels, etc. Throw them in the washer snd then back in their plastic tubes for next time.

https://a.co/d/02IX97hZ

 

[bigb]

I use Meguiar's Water Magnets

 

[Keith2025]

Along with becoming absolutely obsessed with tinkering on my truck after getting my Ranger, I’ve become pretty consumed with keeping my truck clean, inside and out. I was wondering if you guys had any best practices for washing the truck?

I'm a life long detailing fanatic on all my vehicles. First tip is to be sure not to wash your truck in the sun or if the paint is hot.

If my Ranger isn't too dirty, I generally just use a generous amount of water while wiping it down, otherwise there are a number of car washes you can use. DON'T use dish detergent on your paint.

To dry it off, I'll use The Absorber, a synthetic chamois, before doing a final dry with an old terry bath towel.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZK7VF2X?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_9&th=1

If I'm in a rush , I'll either use my leaf blower that really does a good job of getting the water out of the nooks and crannies, especially around the grille. I always use the blower to dry off the tires and wheels.

To protect your paint, this Griot's Garage Ceramic Spray is fantastic. Easy to put on and wipe off, and it's very durable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084F4DC92?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5&th=1

After washing I've found the best way to clean the windows is to spray water on them from a spray bottle, wipe down with a micro fiber cloth, then do a final wipe-dry with a Mr. Siga towel. These towels are amazing for getting streak free windows. No need for expensive glass cleaners.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRD6JKK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1


I've recommended all these products to friends and family with great results.

 

[Buellsox]

Slick Ceramic wax surface is a huge starting point.
Then this is setup is an absolute BANGER!!! DUAL BATTERY M-18 Milwaukee with the stubby nozzle attachment that allows you to get the blower right up onto the vehicles surface and into the nooks & crannies. Whole truck with a canopy in about 10-15 minutes max. Zero water stains. But it’s gotta be the Dual Battery Milwaukee, it steps all over the single battery version. I have both, so I’m not BS’n. Found the nozzle on EBay and somebody 3D prints them themselves for fairly cheap.

 

[Expletive]

Use a "rinseless wash" such as Optimum No Rinse. This allows you to wash your truck in the garage, out of the sun. Also, you can wash one section at a time and dry each section before you get water spots. I have been doing this for about 15 years now.

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