Some say even touchless is dangerous (due to grit being recycled through). I either do two bucket or use Wash Wax All with microfiber cloths (1 to apply and 1 to dry). I keep a kit in the well in the trunk particularly for wiping bugs off.
I wash my car once a month usually. Since I have underground parking with no access to a hose, I've been using this waterless car wash off amazon. I think it has wax built in but the results have been amazing everytime and super easy to use. Just spray on and wipe off. I'm sure people who are super into detailing prob won't use this but I'm a big fan of it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mQ3xBb3CC72E4
I got this from Amazon: Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax Kit 144 Ounces. Aircraft Quality for Your Car, RV, Boat, Motorcycle. The Best Wash Wax. Anywhere, Anytime, Home, Office, School, Garage, Parking Lots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_E8PdDbGX5F082
I use this stuff: Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax Kit 144 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/
If the car is really dusty I’ll spray with water then use the cleaner. But typically I just use this stuff and wipe down with a good microfiber cloth. Pretty quick and convenient if you don’t let the car get too dirty. I’ve even see guys do it at the super charger while they wait.
If you're going to go to an automatic car wash, make sure it's touchless. I 100% guaranteed if you take it to one that has those swirling brushes, you paint is going to be swirled beyond recognition after that.
One other problem with the touchless ones though, is if you have a 2021 with the chrome delete, the harsh chemicals in the soap they use for the touchless is going to change the color of the chrome delete. So automatic car washes in general are a lose-lose if you have a 2021.
Wash Wax All is what I use for waterless washes. Actually though, I always apply when the car is still wet, but you can do it either way. Great product.
I am a big fan of this stuff… all I use now for washing my car.
Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax Kit 144 oz. Aircraft Quality for your Car, RV, Boat, Motorcycle. Guaranteed the Best Wash Wax. Anywhere, Anytime, Home, Office, School, Garage, Parking Lots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RAFBHA1N32E59X4HTB40
And plastic parts get protected with:
303 Marine UV Protectant Spray for Vinyl, Plastic, Rubber, Fiberglass, Leather And More – Dust and Dirt Repellant - Non-Toxic, Matte Finish, 32 fl. oz. (30306) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XBCURW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BCXHYGPBQ231E8KSTT5J
Honestly, I just use this stuff, Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax All
Spray on, wipe with damp microfiber, wipe with dry microfiber. Takes me 4 cloths to clean my whole car. Granted, I live in Las Vegas and rarely get anything than dust on my vehicle. It’s really easy and looks great, every time.
If it were me I'd try to keep it as simple as possible. Yes, I'd do a rinseless wash. If you think it can't be done, watch this.
Essentially you'd need a pump sprayer (get a multi-gallon use used for gardening), an APC like Super Clean (undiluted), another pump sprayer with your rinseless wash, and then a 2 or 5 gallon bucket with 2 gallons of distilled water, your favorite rinseless wash (mine is Wolfgang Concours w/ Si02), and half a dozen microfiber towels along with a drying towel.
You can do your tires as well if you have the brushes and some additional microfibers to wipe your wheels and tires dry. Then apply VRP or whatever you'd like.
If you can't make that work, then consider a pressure washer and a tank to get the job done. But that wouldn't be the first thing I tried.
So, first off. Why not a ceramic coating? If you want protection, it protects. You don't need to make your car flawless first if you weren't intending to in the first place. You can pick up Armor King's ArmorShield IX fairly inexpensively right now and it's easy to apply. Works on all parts of your vehicle including tires and rims.
If you're against it for whatever reason it comes down to how you wash your car. Me? I'm using a rinseless wash with Si02 in it. It's easy to do so it's easier to make me want to get out and wash the car and it both washes and protects at the same time.
Sure, you could do a regular rinseless wash and come back with a topper. Or you could do the two bucket method and come back with a topper. My question is, why?
For my money, 1 5-gallon bucket, half a dozen microfibers, a microfiber drying towel, 2 gallons of distilled water, and an ounce of Wolfgang Concours Rinseless Wash with Si02 and you're good to go.
The way I think about it is that they use harsh chemicals on the car that's likely to strip whatever's already on the vehicle. The ceramic spray wax at the end is probably good for 3-4 weeks and gets the job done. People like to dump on tunnel washes like you either get it hand detailed or you're ruining your finish, but that's not really the case. I detail a black Land Rover from time to time and they use a tunnel wash regularly and their paint is essentially still flawless.
If that saves you time it's a decent option as long as you go back every few weeks. But if you have 30 minutes you can get a better result by using a rinseless wash with Si02 in it.
Have you ever tried a rinseless wash? If you ever want to upgrade to a better product and better experience, try this stuff. Just takes 2 gallons of distilled water, 1 oz of the rinseless wash, and about half a dozen microfibers.
Just combine the water and rinseless wash and then soak the microfibers for around 5 minutes. Between the eight sides of the microfibers and the half dozen you have, that's plenty of clean space to wipe down your car. Just remember, once a towel is dirty, don't put it back in the bucket. Only clean towels come out of the solution.
Work 1-2 panels at a time and dry after wiping down.
Do your tires separately however you like to.
You can also put it in a spray bottle and use it as a clay lube. That lets you do three things at once, without a hose: wash, clay, and wax. And you really only need to clay the first time. Once you start using a rinseless wash, you'll never go back to the 2-bucket method with a foam cannon unless you just like that sort of thing.
And the results are amazing. 10/10 would recommend.
There's the hard way that requires a bunch of steps and time, or there's the easy way, which doesn't. I'm going to advocate for the easy way.
THE EASY WAY: Use a rinseless wash with Si02 in it and just wash the vehicle this way from now on. The protection doesn't last more than 3-4 weeks but it'll renew when you wash it again.
My preference is to use Wolfgang Si02 Rinseless Wash. Put an ounce of that in 2 gallons of distilled water. Rinse of the car if it's excessively dirty before washing otherwise, it's not really necessary. Just put half a dozen microfiber towels in the bucket to soak for a few minutes, then use them to wipe down your panels. Dry after cleaning 1-2 panels. That's all there is to it.
I'm also curious to hear other responses, but I personally use this car wash cleaner and this window cleaner.
I wonder if there are better and cheaper options.
I'm not OP, but I've been using this on my cars for like 10 years and it comes out stupid shiny!
A far cry from detailing in a closed environment I still try to keep our finish protected and looking good while full time on the road. This surface has been light compound corrected, polished and has a waterless spray cleaner applied to avoid washing with mineral water.
It also helps to avoid having to wash the rig in campgrounds that frown on such things :)
My go to kit for maintaining a polished paint surface:
Waterless Wash from Chemical Guys
Turtle Wax Spray Ceramic for a quick protectant that I apply monthly
This is what I use. There's also a kit that includes a couple microfiber towels and a spray bottle for $10 more, but I think it's overpriced. You can get a spray bottle and microfiber towels for cheaper.
I recently purchased some waterless cleaner, and I've been extremely impressed. It seems highly rated among car afficianados, of which I am not one. But it's been amazing for me!! (I also turned my FIL onto it, he has a new 2022 Tesla S which is his baby and he bought the stuff after trying it at my place. He wipes it down after every drive)
Here's the stuff I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X04JRMU/
I just used "Wash Wax All" and it seemed to do a good job. Super easy too.
This is the one I have been using:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FALVU9Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Note, if your car gets really dirty, then it is better to wash it so that you don't scratch the car with debris. I use this like once or twice a week to remove the dust, pollen, water drops.
Wet or Waterless Car Wash
This is a great waterless car wash solution, and it keeps my car cleaner than a standard wash. if you are cleaning daily, it is quicker to clean after this product has been used once or twice
Just washed. I used some of the WG-1650 cleaner that I saw recommended in some Tesla posts. It's a rinseless wash that leaves a somewhat waxed look. Seems to have worked really well. Used CoverAll for the tire shine. Like $10 at O'Reilly's. Just spray and walk away.
Link to the wash product below, if you're interested:
WOLFGANG CONCOURS SERIES WG-1650 Uber SiO2 Rinseless Wash, 16 fl. Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SFPHKGX/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_14TY97RVQMVQM9BKDAA4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax Kit 144 oz. Aircraft Quality for your Car, RV, Boat, Motorcycle. Guaranteed the Best Wash Wax. Anywhere, Anytime, Home, Office, School, Garage, Parking Lots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_B31EFAEBDJR4D5MR9YQE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
There are a ton of different ones who know which is better but this is what I got
I’ve been using this for a few years now.
You can use it with or without water depending on how dirty the bike is. Mine cleans up extremely well with it.
Wash Wax All
Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax Kit 144 oz. Aircraft Quality for your Car, RV, Boat, Motorcycle. Guaranteed the Best Wash Wax. Anywhere, Anytime, Home, Office, School, Garage, Parking Lots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RJ1A26PH24816BDGMMPF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Oh, that's different then. Look at waterless car washes. Might even be a better solution than ONR.
Limited-time deal: Chemical Guys CWS20964 Swift Wipe Sprayable Waterless Car Wash, Easily Clean - Just Spray & Wipe, 64 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DX467FM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_dl_442TX7ZH1K8PCCNM8RP1
It's thoughtful but I agree, it's overkill. This is pretty much all I use to clean my bikes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_M1WHKCZ7GZD9YRSAJSF3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Doesn't require any water (although you can use water with it), comes with a few nice towels, and 144oz will last a loong time. Takes me 5 mins to get the bike nice and clean.
It's also recommend this to keep the bike clean between washes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008RW9V/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_6FSS95Q5K3ZDZ79ZYPQ0
For when the car is mildly dirty, try this. I lived in an apartment last year. Unless I ran into some nasty weather/dirt, this was a great way to easily keep it clean. And yeah, a touchless carwash - either drive thru or self serve.