Am I covered? Truck cleaning products..

So I got a 2015 in great shape.. I never really took care of my previous car (I washed it once or twice a year) but my wifey likes her car clean. Now that I got the truck I have taken it to the car wash and washed it myself (should see wife’s face now that I’m concerned bout car lol..) so I picked up some products to take care of both the wife’s car and the truck. I just want the basics covered as I don’t want to go into full blown detail or even wax/buff my truck... please let me know or advise if I am missing anything...
1. Chemical Guys:
- Extreme body wash and wax (I was looking for a product that would do both as for sure I won’t wax)
- tire and trim gel (really for just the exterior trim)
-Inner clean
2. Meguiars - endurance tire gel
And some microfiber cloths, drying towels, an extended wash pole... etc..
So what do y’all think? Am I covered just for very the very basic?

 

I could understand that you don't want machine buff your truck but you should certainly rethink not bothering to wax (using the term as more of a verb than an actual wax product). Using something to protect the exterior makes EVERYTHING about keeping it clean easier. The wax in a soap or rinseless solution is very minimal, it will not be a good protection at best it might make drying by towel easier.

Not saying you need to ceramic coat the truck but there are STUPID easy sealants that you can spray on and hose off (McKees Hydro Blue, Carpro Hydro2 etc). Products applied by hand will last longer but that obviously takes more time but will be cheaper than spray/rinse.

 

Gorram, I had no idea those spray on hose off products existed. I looked at both and looks as you mentioned super simple... are there more companies that make those? Can’t remember but is there some type of spray on (car still wet after a wash) and dry off sealant waxes? If so which is better? Hose off or dry off?

 

Sure there are but there are several dozens of detailing brands out there. Hydro2 and Hydro Blue type products you'll notice recommend strong blasts of water, or even a pressure washer for rinsing. These products are really not meant to wipe on but are kind of activated by the blast of water. They can be unforgiving in the sun or on a hot panel.

A lot of sealant or spray wax type products apply like this. Many of these sealants perform best applied the first time on dry paint just to ensure even coverage and bond. Most spray sealants applied like this should be as easy as spritz on, let it dwell or not per instructions and wipe right off. Then you can follow up applying after washes wet while drying.

Look into paint decontamination both chemical decon and claying. Wax or sealant will perform best if this is done before hand.

 

Thank you, Gorram!
Much appreciated! I will look into this.

 

Better off with a spray and rinse versus expecting the soap to protect the truck. Also, I didn’t see anything for interior. Sun can be hell on a dash.

 

I did order the CG inner clean.. it cleans and protects (uv).. will that suffice for the interior?
Also, I’m eyeing the mcgees hydro blue for a spray and rinse..

 

Put some cquartz uk 3.0 ceramic on your paint

 

Tried inner clean once and went back to trusty 303 aerospace. Just looked better, no crazy shine just a factory new look. Get the aerospace stuff from west marine, Amazon, or autogeek. Not the 303 for car formula though, they say it’s the same but I find them quite different. Car 303 shines a bit and leaves a slick surface.

 

Turtle Wax Ice Shine-n-Seal is getting great reviews on the detailing forums. For $6 why not give it a try? It's all the rage, kinda like P&S Beadmaker is/was.

At least you'll have SOMETHING protecting your paint. At the very least, just get a cheap spray wax like the turtle wax or Meguiars Ultimate Spray Wax (also great stuff).

These products make it much easier to keep your paint clean. Slick and shiny.

 

OP- Spray Wax is honestly easier than washing a window with a paper towel and windex. A couple 3 or 4 spritzes per body panel, wipe it in, flip the towel and wipe it dry. Done. And it'll be slick and shiny and bead water for a month.

And then when you go to wash your truck, the dirt and grime will spray off much better.

 

I would prefer to do a spray on and wash off though I do see the benefits of a ceramic coating. Thanks!

That product looks good! Might have to try it after I finish the inner clean bottle.

I agree.. probably going to pull the trigger on the McKee’s hydro blue... looks easy enough.. thank you all for great advice!!!!!

 

The ceramics are definitely more of an advanced coating. Doesn't sound like you are there yet. Unbelievable protection on my 4runner. I am a diy person and want the best. Good luck

 

Lol.. yeah, not there yet but pretty sure will be.. give me a year or two.

 

Better off doing a coating now. Makes maintaining and washing so much easier. I went coating route because it saves time!!

 

This is getting deep! Lol.. no joke!
I think I would have to clay bar the truck and would need a lube spray to clay bar, before ceramic coating..

 

Yes. You can pick up a kit with clay and detail spray for around $20 at Wally World.

I keep up with 3 vehicles. All are coated and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was able to eliminate products from detailing supplies thanks to the coatings.

 

Wash, clay, polish, eraser product then ceramic.

 

Try this stuff out. Meguiar's Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax. Just wash your Truck/Car as normal. Then while still wet just mist a light mist over the whole vehicle. Paint, Black trim, rubber seals even the Glass. Then dry it as usual. Makes everything look and shine like new. About $30/ Gallon on Amazon.
I've read on some Detailing Forums that this stuff should be in the Detailing Hall off Fame. And I totally agree. It's just that good.

 

I will eventually do this but for now I just want to keep it simple. I understand that by doing an initial coating that it would lead to easier post coating washes.. once I get to this I would have it done professionally as I don’t want to goof on the application and just do the maintenance myself. This is great info! I needed to know the sequence on what would lead to a ceramic coat!!!