Do you wax your truck?

[wdfifteen]

I don't want the paint on my 2017 Tundra to deteriorate (in spite of the dents and scratches). In the winter I wash it at a car wash that has a "wax" option, but I don't know what the "wax" really is.

No way I can hand wax the Tundra, with all the other vehicles I have to take care of. Is there some product that I can just spray on and it will protect like wax?

[berettafan]

I hate waxing but recently got random orbitals from Griots and i gotta say it makes the job a LOT easier. That said i found an even easier way to get protection on my whale of an SUV. Griots 3 in 1 ceramic spray. I can do my entire truck (post washing and drying) in about one or two beers. Say 15 or 20 minutes.

[vash]

my 06 tacoma is due.

i used to do once a year. now it is, "i'm bored, what should i do?" i'm rarely bored.

[porsche4life]

I hand waxed my 2500 after I got it, but I don’t think I’ll be doing that often. 🤣

I got some Meguiar’s spray ceramic wax that you spray on as you are rinsing it off. I think I’ll probably do that every few washes. Should be enough to keep it shiny. At least shiny enough for an old truck.

Meguiar's G190532SP Hybrid Ceramic Wax - The Car Enthusiast's Car Wax, 32 Fluid Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R5QH6H6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WY7FRCDA5W65J9P4BMPY?_ encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[vash]

wait...what is that final dayglow cotton candy colored stuff that they spray on at the end of a drivethru carwash?

why yes!! i do wax my truck apparently!

[GH85Carrera]

Yep, for 30 years and 373,000 miles. It does not have one door ding.

The hood is a pain to keep shiny with the single stage paint. I had a local guy detail it, and ceramic coat it. Now it is shiny and beads water like a freshly waxed paint job. It is lots easier to maintain it than to let look like crap and hate it and sell it cheap.

[cabmandone]

I was busting my son's chops for buying this but it's DAMN good stuff. Armor All Extreme Shield Ceramic car wash. He applies it with a foam cannon, hand washes, rinses, applies with a foam cannon again and lets it "dwell" (he's such a car washing geek), then does a final rinse. I was filling the car up for him the other day, leaned up against the car and damn near slipped off of it. I'm not kidding it felt like it was hand waxed. And it repels water like a frog's ass.

BTW, I have a F250 Crew Cab and yes, I wax it yearly. I use Mothers California Gold carnauba paste. I think my new G8 and G9 polisher will make the job A LOT easier.

[ted]

Yes hand wax the truck and trailer and the race car before every event.
Truck is kept in the garage.
I use a spray carnauba and microfiber towels.
This clay bar towel makes cleaning easy and quick.
https://www.amazon.com/Jundi-Microfiber-Claying-Detailing-Surface/dp/B07JYXNP28/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=clay+bar+towel&qid=1625070307&sr=8-5

[flipper35]

I use the ceramic on our cars. The car was filthy from all the road construction but I drove it in light rain yesterday and it is clean again.

I use the spray on/wipe off stuff. Currently using the Griots Ceramic 3-IN-1 Wax which is supposed to last 6 months.

[matthewb0051]

I use Meguiars hybrid ceramic spray on all our vehicles, to include Land Rover / Range Rover, so on trucks I believe. Works best though if you use a claybar first. But it last a long time. I usually only have to do it once a year.

Several years ago I worked with 2 guys both drove pickups. One had a 10 year old Ram with a bunch of miles. The other guy, who was junior in rank to us both, drove a new King Ranch which he waxed frequently. The Ram guy used to break his balls saying 'its a truck, you aren't suppose to treat it like a car, its supposed to be dirty' type things.

I used to pick at the King Ranch guy telling him my Range Rover was less than 1/4 the cost of his truck and much nicer. We used to wind him up daily.

[flipper35]

I found the Meguiars lasts 3-4 months here, but we have rain, snow, salt...

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Yep, for 30 years and 373,000 miles. It does not have one door ding.

That's a beautiful truck - and a great photo!

[Dantilla]

A few years ago I was asked to invest in a car wash business.
During my due diligence, I learned about what goes on behind the curtain.

Q. Is the "wax" a good product, and how does the customer know he is actually getting it?

A. The product is actually very good. Purchased in 55 gallon drums, it only costs the operator a few pennies per wash, so it would be silly for the operator to skimp.
Even when marked up a buck or two, it is still an excellent value to the customer.

Very good product, very good profit margins.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

A few years ago I was asked to invest in a car wash business.
During my due diligence, I learned about what goes on behind the curtain.

Q. Is the "wax" a good product, and how does the customer know he is actually getting it?

A. The product is actually very good. Purchased in 55 gallon drums, it only costs the operator a few pennies per wash, so it would be silly for the operator to skimp.
Even when marked up a buck or two, it is still an excellent value to the customer.

Very good product, very good profit margins.

That is interesting. I would have assumed the opposite.

But is it really worth putting wax on paint that needs paint correction at some level before the wax goes on? Either clay bar or fine cut cleaner and polish?

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

But is it really worth putting wax on paint that needs paint correction at some level before the wax goes on? Either clay bar or fine cut cleaner and polish?

My old F-250? Not worried about it.
An Aston Martin may be a different story.

[URY914]

Never have.

[greglepore]

Opti seal. Truly wipe on, no buff, no wipe off. https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-20239-Opti-Seal-Foam-Applicator/dp/B076HYYGTT
I use it on my black 911, s600 and r129. Amazing stuff. Lasts an easy 6 mths or longer.
I was a skeptic, but its awesome.

[masraum]

I have used both of these products and had good luck.

I used this for years as a waterless wash. Dilute as specified, spray on, wipe off, and it leaves a protectant on the car. Us it frequently to clean the car and the protectant is always maintained. You want enough rags that you can switch to a clean spot of rag frequently (frequency being determined by how dirty your vehicle is).


THis is used more like a wax. You apply it periodically and it lasts a while. It's simpler to apply than waxing a vehicle.


I used these when I lived in an apt and didn't have convenient access to a hose and bucket and place to do a regular wash.

If you let the vehicle get too dirty, then you may not want to use the waterless wash. It's supposed to be fine, but I prefer using that on a vehicle that's not that dirty.

[KFC911]

Since I'd need to wash it first.... Nope!

[fastfredracing]

Once a year, then treat with that spray on ceramic . ,A quad cab dually, and a 4 door 1500+ all the other cars to take care of. It's a task , I just don't keep up with as well anymore .
An orbital is your friend here . It can take all week if needs be. Ill usually just do a few panels each evening till I get done. I can't stand to burn off a Saturday waxing a pick up truck