I just purchased a 2002 F150 Scab Lariat. Of course the dealer does not really do a great job of protecting the finish.

I have washed with Meguires shampoo, gone over the front end (this time) with Meguires Scratch X, and waxed with NXT. Truck looks good. I live in the northeast and temperatures are not predictable to make regular mitt washing doable.

I have a local car wash that is all spray and no brushes or cloth. What do people think about runing it through every week between full treatment wash and wax and following up with Meguires QD?

 

Everyone has an opinion... here's mine.

I don't live in an environment that is comprable to what you have and thus, I don't think I've fallen into the 'desperate times, desperate measures' catergory as of yet.

If it were me, in that type of an environment, I may opt to use a touchless type of wash. Under no circumstances would I use one that has the brushes and such. The thing you're going to run into with a touchless is the harsh chemical nature of the soaps and such that they utilize. These highly caustic brews will remove a lot of wax as they're designed to get your vehicle looking good in a very minimal time.

QD at the end may or may not be a good idea. I say this only because I know that the touchless isn't going to get near doing as good of a job as you would by hand with a mitt and thus, there will be some grit and crud left behind even after that high-pressure treatment. The QD may or may not be suitable to remove this remaining grit and, furthermore, may actually accelerate scratching and swirling (because you're using a product that's not meant to remove dirt on a vehicle that still has some dirt).

Poorboy's Spray and Wipe may be a better choice over the QD as it offers a bit more of a 'cleaning' action and also is high on the lubrication side.

Also, after reading back through your original post, you made no mention of any type of surface protection (minus mentioning 'wash and wax'). I'm assuming that you know that Scratch-X isn't a wax or other type of surface protection? In short, make sure you're using a very solid, very durable wax/sealant if you're going to try to make it through the winter season in a car wash.

RP

 

I did wax with Meguire's NXT Generation Wax. Would you recommend another Meg's product for a harder more durable finish? Wax was the liquid not the paste.

Thanks

 

I agree with RP 100%. I would not count on the touchless car wash on it's own to get anywhere near "all" of the dirt off. Don't apply any polish, or wax, or even attempt to dry the vehicle after one of those touchess car washes until you are sure "all" of the dirt is off. I also agree with RP's suggestion of giving Spray & Wipe a try to remove that dirt. If you want to take it a step further, you can look into a product called QEW (Quick Easy Wash). I've recently tried the stuff, and like it alot.

I would stick to the NXT up there in your neck of the woods. Meguiar's claims that NXT is there lost lasting wax. While that is somewhat debatable, it should at least get you through part of the winter............ which is better than nothing. If you get a decent day or two sometime during the winter where you can get the paint clean, and add a another coat of NXT............ you should be good.

 

Thanks to both of you. Should I use a Meguires # 7 or something like it before applying NXT?

This is the first car that I am really going to be completely manic/**** about so I am just trying to get started right.

Thanks again for the info.

 

phsskipper,

You're welcome!

As for the #7 before NXT, RP and I may disagree on this one a bit. Anyhow, if you are going for maximum protection/durability of the product, I would just put NXT over NXT. In my honest opinion, the oils in #7 (and it's got plenty) might interfere with the long term durability of the NXT. Of course, the difference may be minimal, but still there......... and up here in the great Northeast, we can use all the protection we can get in the winter. Now, if you are going for "looks", I think the #7 will add something!

 

As usual, I agree with Boss.

#7 isn't really going to add any durability to the mix and really won't remove any surficial blemishes. NXT on NXT, in my opinion as well, will yield a higher level of protection.

As Boss also mentioned, if and when you get a couple of 40 degree days in place where you feel like you can get a good wash in, I'd highly recommend putting another coat of NXT on as well.

RP

 

I live in an area where we have lots of snow and lots of salt on the road. I have no garage and the temps here don't get above freezing during the winter. Someone in our town finally built a drive thru touchless car wash which I use once a week. The car wash is the lesser of the two evils. You either deal with the car wash soap stripping wax or salt and dirt build up.

Ron

 

We have a local touchless car wash about 1 mile from my work. While they do a good job of cleaning the average joes car, I wouldn't take a car there if you reall care about the paint.

Like the others said, what dirt the spray doesn't get off, the workers get off with a wet rag.....

Also, I just waxed my car, took it there a week later, after I got it back, guess what, no wax on the paint. The cleaners they use are so harsh, it stripped all the frikin wax off in one wash.

So, it looks like its cold hands and bucket time.......

 

It has to be better to get the snow and road salt off the truck in the winter going through a touchless car wash than not washing it at all right? Or is it better to leave that stuff on as long as you have a good couple of coats of was underneath?

 

I would almost think that using a touchless drive thru car wash is much better than leaving salt all over your truck. They put salt, sand, and cinders down on the road here in North Central PA. All of that stuff builds up over time on the paint and underneath.

Ron

 

Oh, yeah, wash that stuff off by any means. Just means you will have to wax er up more often thats all.

 

That's a problem too. I don't have a garage and the winter temps here are too cold for waxing outside. It's just not a good place to own a new vehicle.

Ron

 

Well, lets see. Maybe do a really thorough detailing as late in the year as possible. Ask around what the most durable wax is. Then as soon as weather permits, do it again. Im guessing you won't be able to do anything for 3-4 months, unless you live in Alaska.

 

Fill the wash bucket with hot water in the bathtub. That's what I do, and it isn't near as cold in Houston. Hands stay nice and warm as long as you dip them in the water every minute or so. If you want to melt the snow from underneath, buy an extra hose and run it from the hot washer connection in the house. Lots of little tricks to make it not so miserable. Can't help you with the weather though,,,,98