Brand new truck. Touchless wash?

Just got my first brand new truck. I had gone to the Toyota build your truck site and decided on what I wanted. I just took delivery of it a couple of days ago. Since this truck hasn't sat on a dealers lot and was basically just completed, is it safe for the finish to go through a touchless/brushless wash this soon using their soap and wax or should I hold off for a bit? Just want to play it safe since I've never spent that kind of money on a vehicle before.

 

Even with fresh paint it's safe to wash, usually it's wax/sealant/coating you don't want to apply until about 90 days to give the paint time to fully cure. Though an OEM paint job is probably cured so you're good to go by the time they've handed it over.

Touchless washes are great this time of year to knock pollen off or the dust from a dirt road but at some point you'll need to contact wash if you want it clean. Once you start driving on wet highway roads long enough you're going to get a funk on there that a touchless won't pull off. There are many methods for "safe wahsing" pick what works for you, I'd at least flip some videos and see:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=safe+car+washing+technique

 

I would do the two bucket wash method to prevent the paint from marring.

 

And a claybar. Probably has rail dust embedded in the clear coat.

 

I always use 1qt of Goof Off diluted in 2 liters of Lacquer Thinner, then scrub away with Steel Wool...

 

For new, I would use an iron remover, Sonax makes an excellent one. Then do a wash, clay bar, and protection of choice.

always make sure paint is lubricanted to reduce swirls and scratches

 

If you want your truck to always look great. Never use the drive thru carwash ever , brushed or brushless. Watch some good videos on proper washing techniques and keep it like new as long you own it. Congrats on the truck.

 

NEVER EVER use a car wash

 

After trying to go through countless threads and posts, I decided on Meguiars Gold class wash along with their micro fiber mit and the 2 bucket wash with grit guard. Have a clay kit on order and will try a small spot on the roof before deciding if it's worth doing the whole truck. Still not sure of the wax. The 3 I'm looking at are

$21 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845, Griots 3-1, or Griots Best of show. Also as a spray, TW Ice N Seal. Any waxing will be done by hand so the easier the better. I don't have much choice but would have to use a brushless coin op wash for the winter. (no garage) Do these choices sound about right?

 

Iron X before clay bar and you'll save yourself a lot of time.

 

Damn. Wish I'd seen this sooner before I put every vehicle I've ever owned through tons of car washes with no adverse effects. Thank you for saving me from ruining my cars and trucks.

 

The point trying to make is most car washes use harsher chemicals to clean. It’s not the best idea to use a car wash especially those that aren’t touchless. Expect swirls.

 

Living up north in the Rust Belt where salt on roads is as common as salt on fries, in my experience, using a car wash in the bleak mid-winter is far less damaging than letting salt accumulate. We can easily go months where you can’t hook up an outside hose to wash. So avoid automatic car washes, sure. Never? No so sure that is universally an option.

 

State salt roads here but we do not get snow and cold like y’all do. I use a pay and spray during winter months just to keep salt off body and frame. Rarely do I use any soaps or other chemicals that they offer. Water only.

 

I wouldn’t use Griots Best of Show- it is a great wax but it is designed more for show cars and weekend toys. Longevity will be about 30 days.

 

Just discovered Iron X and it's fantastic

White truck and the clay bar/elbow grease thing was giving me carpel tunnel lol

 

I use a nanskin pad with my dual action polisher

 

Yes, the pay & spray are good to peel off some of the winter road grime and schmutz. Always hose out the wheel wells. A tip, don't spray the locks or windows in the dead of winter, it'll help avoid frozen locks and such.

When Spring arrives and its warm enough to get under the truck. I use the garden hose with a brass nozzle while crawling under the truck to thoroughly remove winter schmutz from the frame and everything else under there. I usually end up pretty wet from the surprise spray backs.

 

I mix Salt Away in a weed sprayer and spray underneath- then rinse.

 

Went ahead and ordered the Iron X. Delivery guy is going to be busy dropping things of at my place.