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.
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
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.
Is this what you used? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SFPHKGX/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_ABWY4M1EY9VV8ECEJBR0
It's in the title WOLFGANG CONCOURS SERIES WG-1650... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SFPHKGX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Someone recommended this
WOLFGANG CONCOURS SERIES WG-1650... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SFPHKGX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share