On the Open Road - Car Clean Up?

[zenwhipper]

I used to do this on my multi-day motorcycle rides, but what's a good recommendation on cleaning the car exterior each morning before heading out? I realize a MC is much smaller to "polish" up, but I'd like to be able to at least get the bugs off the front area and do the windows. On the bike I used Plexus, but to be honest I was not too concerned about the paint. I toured on MCs for 25 years and a bike is mean for riding, not looking ting ting pristine. Now that I have my Mach (replaced my MC habit), I will continue grand touring trips. Er, but want the car kept up better on a trip.

Grazi!

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[NightmareMoon]

If you’re driving through Texas, park next to some grackles and they’ll clean the bugs out of your grill for free.

 

[skinnyb]

A bucket and a bottle of rinseless wash works great on trips. A bit bulky to pack, but you can tuck all the supplies in the bucket and get one with a lid to keep organized in case it tips over... Just need a sprayer, sponge, drying towel and the chemical. And water of course. About 3 gallons does the trick for me. Then when done, just rinse out the bucket and pack up. Only clean up after the fact is to wash your drying towels...

 

[S550HPP]

I always hit the self wand wash before putting away for the night. Presoak with a water & dawn mix keep in trunk or the wand wash presoak, just on front end. Leaving overnight mats the bug body acid etch into my PPF or paint, as well the case may be.

 

[DFB5.0]

The first thing I'd start with, if you don't already have one, I would be getting a bucket and gamma seal lid. This allows you carry your supplies and mix up a rinse-less wash solution, the gamma seal lid then allows you to seal it all up when in transit.

You can get gamma seal lids separately to add to an existing bucket, or buy as a package.
Pet Supplies : Gamma2 Gamma Seal Lid for Utility Buckets - Fits 3.5, 5, 6 & 7 gallon buckets, Orange, Made in USA : Pet Food Storage Products : Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Adam's Polishes Car Wash Bucket (5 Gallon Bucket + Grit Guard + Gamma Seal Lid), Perfect Car Tool for Washing & Garage Storage, Stores Car Wash Soap, Foam Cannon, Foam Gun, Microfiber Towels & More : Automotive

To that, I'd carry a bottle of rinse-less wash. Something like McKee's N914 or DIY Detail would be the pick here as they tend have a little stronger surfactant in them. You will also want a spray bottle or pump action sprayer with a pre-mixed solution of rinse-less. This product will cover exterior cleaning, interior wipe down, glass cleaning........................basically all you need on the road.
DIY DETAIL Rinseless Wash – Car Supplies Warehouse
Amazon.com: McKee's 37 N-914 Rinseless Wash V2/Big Gold Sponge Combo Pack (4-in-1 No Rinse Car Wash) : Automotive

iK Multi Pro 2 Pump Sprayer – Car Supplies Warehouse
iK Multi TR-1 Trigger Sprayer – Car Supplies Warehouse

In this case, so that you don't have to carry around wet/used towels, I'd pair the rinse-less with one of the dedicated rinse-less wash sponges, think TRC Ultra Safe Sponge or DIY Legacy.
THE RAG COMPANY Ultra Safe Sponge – Car Supplies Warehouse
DIY DETAIL Legacy Sponge – Car Supplies Warehouse

You will also want a couple of drying towels, a few general-purpose towels and two glass towels.

Drying Towel -
THE RAG COMPANY The Gauntlet Drying Towel - 20"x30" Drying Towel – Car Supplies Warehouse

GP Towel -
Creature Edgeless Dual Pile Towel | Car Supplies Warehouse – Car Supplies Warehouse

Glass Towel -
Dry Me A River! Korean Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel | Car Supplies Warehouse – Car Supplies Warehouse

And that's about it. You could also include a bug remover, but as long as you remove the bugs promptly, the rinse-less should sort that out.

Hope that helps.

 

[skinnyb]

The first thing I'd start with, if you don't already have one, I would be getting a bucket and gamma seal lid. This allows you carry your supplies and mix up a rinse-less wash solution, the gamma seal lid then allows you to seal it all up when in transit.

You can get gamma seal lids separately to add to an existing bucket, or buy as a package.
Pet Supplies : Gamma2 Gamma Seal Lid for Utility Buckets - Fits 3.5, 5, 6 & 7 gallon buckets, Orange, Made in USA : Pet Food Storage Products : Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Adam's Polishes Car Wash Bucket (5 Gallon Bucket + Grit Guard + Gamma Seal Lid), Perfect Car Tool for Washing & Garage Storage, Stores Car Wash Soap, Foam Cannon, Foam Gun, Microfiber Towels & More : Automotive

To that, I'd carry a bottle of rinse-less wash. Something like McKee's N914 or DIY Detail would be the pick here as they tend have a little stronger surfactant in them. You will also want a spray bottle or pump action sprayer with a pre-mixed solution of rinse-less. This product will cover exterior cleaning, interior wipe down, glass cleaning........................basically all you need on the road.
DIY DETAIL Rinseless Wash – Car Supplies Warehouse
Amazon.com: McKee's 37 N-914 Rinseless Wash V2/Big Gold Sponge Combo Pack (4-in-1 No Rinse Car Wash) : Automotive

iK Multi Pro 2 Pump Sprayer – Car Supplies Warehouse
iK Multi TR-1 Trigger Sprayer – Car Supplies Warehouse

In this case, so that you don't have to carry around wet/used towels, I'd pair the rinse-less with one of the dedicated rinse-less wash sponges, think TRC Ultra Safe Sponge or DIY Legacy.
THE RAG COMPANY Ultra Safe Sponge – Car Supplies Warehouse
DIY DETAIL Legacy Sponge – Car Supplies Warehouse

You will also want a couple of drying towels, a few general-purpose towels and two glass towels.

Drying Towel -
THE RAG COMPANY The Gauntlet Drying Towel - 20"x30" Drying Towel – Car Supplies Warehouse

GP Towel -
Creature Edgeless Dual Pile Towel | Car Supplies Warehouse – Car Supplies Warehouse

Glass Towel -
Dry Me A River! Korean Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel | Car Supplies Warehouse – Car Supplies Warehouse

And that's about it. You could also include a bug remover, but as long as you remove the bugs promptly, the rinse-less should sort that out.

Hope that helps.

My process exactly.... Much more eloquently put Although I struggle with the Gamma seal lids actually "sealing"... If I can't get water on site, I get 3 gallons of distilled water at the store to carry along... And just mix up a new batch every time. I leave leftover in the sprayer however... And DIY detail is my go to for mobile carry as well.. It does a fantastic job cleaning outside and inside...

 

[DFB5.0]

My process exactly.... Much more eloquently put Although I struggle with the Gamma seal lids actually "sealing"... If I can't get water on site, I get 3 gallons of distilled water at the store to carry along... And just mix up a new batch every time. I leave leftover in the sprayer however... And DIY detail is my go to for mobile carry as well.. It does a fantastic job cleaning outside and inside...

Have you tried the new version of DIY? I've yet to sample it.

 

[skinnyb]

Have you tried the new version of DIY? I've yet to sample it.

No not yet. I bought a gallon of V1 and still have about 1/2 gallon left. It isn't my go to rinseless normally so I use it infrequently... BUT I do love it in a IK foamer as a pre spray in inclement weather... I mix it really heavy for that, like 1:20, it foams amazing... I might throw a small bottle into my next order to try for giggles...

 

[jcttraveler]

When using the squeegee and the dirty water to clean my glass at the gas station, if the grill is really bad, I'll hit that too. (mine isn't museum quality)

That said, bugs aren't nearly the issue they used to be. When I was a kid, there'd be splatters which would cover a huge part of the windshield. These days, not so much.

 

[zenwhipper]

The first thing I'd start with, if you don't already have one, I would be getting a bucket and gamma seal lid. This allows you carry your supplies and mix up a rinse-less wash solution, the gamma seal lid then allows you to seal it all up when in transit.

You can get gamma seal lids separately to add to an existing bucket, or buy as a package.
Pet Supplies : Gamma2 Gamma Seal Lid for Utility Buckets - Fits 3.5, 5, 6 & 7 gallon buckets, Orange, Made in USA : Pet Food Storage Products : Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Adam's Polishes Car Wash Bucket (5 Gallon Bucket + Grit Guard + Gamma Seal Lid), Perfect Car Tool for Washing & Garage Storage, Stores Car Wash Soap, Foam Cannon, Foam Gun, Microfiber Towels & More : Automotive

To that, I'd carry a bottle of rinse-less wash. Something like McKee's N914 or DIY Detail would be the pick here as they tend have a little stronger surfactant in them. You will also want a spray bottle or pump action sprayer with a pre-mixed solution of rinse-less. This product will cover exterior cleaning, interior wipe down, glass cleaning........................basically all you need on the road.
DIY DETAIL Rinseless Wash – Car Supplies Warehouse
Amazon.com: McKee's 37 N-914 Rinseless Wash V2/Big Gold Sponge Combo Pack (4-in-1 No Rinse Car Wash) : Automotive

iK Multi Pro 2 Pump Sprayer – Car Supplies Warehouse
iK Multi TR-1 Trigger Sprayer – Car Supplies Warehouse

In this case, so that you don't have to carry around wet/used towels, I'd pair the rinse-less with one of the dedicated rinse-less wash sponges, think TRC Ultra Safe Sponge or DIY Legacy.
THE RAG COMPANY Ultra Safe Sponge – Car Supplies Warehouse
DIY DETAIL Legacy Sponge – Car Supplies Warehouse

You will also want a couple of drying towels, a few general-purpose towels and two glass towels.

Drying Towel -
THE RAG COMPANY The Gauntlet Drying Towel - 20"x30" Drying Towel – Car Supplies Warehouse

GP Towel -
Creature Edgeless Dual Pile Towel | Car Supplies Warehouse – Car Supplies Warehouse

Glass Towel -
Dry Me A River! Korean Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel | Car Supplies Warehouse – Car Supplies Warehouse

And that's about it. You could also include a bug remover, but as long as you remove the bugs promptly, the rinse-less should sort that out.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for the great information!

 

[Lorne34]

I second the rinseless wash combined with the ik sprayer
unless u are off reading u don’t need a foaming agent or a hose
the sponge is a great idea as well vs a ton of microfiber rags
if u get your machine ceramic coated it really becomes easy to maintain
my go to is onr
.

 

[skinnyb]

I second the rinseless wash combined with the ik sprayer
unless u are off reading u don’t need a foaming agent or a hose
the sponge is a great idea as well vs a ton of microfiber rags
if u get your machine ceramic coated it really becomes easy to maintain
my go to is onr
.

ONR is definitely the OG I personally am not a fan, but I haven't tried the newest Version 6 yet. I heard it is a bit better..

 

[Evolvd]

Having a sacrificial layer of ceramic spray or a bug barrier coating is very helpful. In fact Dr. Beasley’s has a product called Bug Barrier that is exactly for this purpose.

 

[Lorne34]

ONR is definitely the OG I personally am not a fan, but I haven't tried the newest Version 6 yet. I heard it is a bit better..

Sorry, can you clarify what "OG" means?
I know that this polymer based rinse less wash system has been duplicated and refined by other companies.
Even the original "professor guy with the bow tie" bailed from ONR and started pitching a new rinse less wash product.
I prefer to stay with something if it's working for me, at the very least use up the bottle before venturing on to another product.
At this point these products are "splitting hairs" in terms of quality and effectiveness.
Don't even get me started about all of the "You Tubers" out there who were adamant about objectively reviewing other vendor products and then morphed into their own label which is now "the greatest product in the world.. I've spent thousands of hours of research".. blah blah blah.

 

[skinnyb]

Sorry, can you clarify what "OG" means?
I know that this polymer based rinse less wash system has been duplicated and refined by other companies.
Even the original "professor guy with the bow tie" bailed from ONR and started pitching a new rinse less wash product.
I prefer to stay with something if it's working for me, at the very least use up the bottle before venturing on to another product.
At this point these products are "splitting hairs" in terms of quality and effectiveness.
Don't even get me started about all of the "You Tubers" out there who were adamant about objectively reviewing other vendor products and then morphed into their own label which is now "the greatest product in the world.. I've spent thousands of hours of research".. blah blah blah.

OG means the original. I agree. Rinse less is all the rage and the guy in the bow tie was the guy that helped develop ONR. But for me the user experience is lacking with ONR. Does it work? Absolutely there's a reason it's been around forever. But for me personally I like other ones much better. I've tried onr I just didn't like it. Now the green onr wash and wax I like. I am on my second bottle of it. And the yellow opticoat I like too, but the blue original onr is lacking for me.

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