Cleaning a car that sits unused outside for extended periods

[JimS_999]

I have a Dodge RAM that I hardly ever use since I have a car provided by my place of employment & use my Harley a lot after work. There isn't any room in the garage for the truck so it just sits outside all the time, lucky if I put 10 miles a month on it. I have the truck's finish detailed to perfection and it's totally swirl free. I put a coat of Meg #21 on it about every 3 months, during the summer.

My question is: Is it better to wash it every week or so to get the outside dirt & dust off it, or is it better protected by not washing it and leaving a good untouched coating of wax on it? I'm afraid that washing it will take the wax off it after a while.

[LS1MONSTER]

I personally would wash it once a week and use a quality spray wax in between your detail sessions. My car is a mostly garaged but I do a full detail once a month and wash and spray wax every week. I understand not everyone has the time to do that though.

[LS1MONSTER]

The longer dirt, dust, sap, bird droppings etc sits on your paint the worse its going to get. Wax can only do so much to protect your paint.

[chrisx]

I would also recommend the above - wash and spray wax weekly. That way when you decide to take it for a drive it is bound to be in great condition.

[Setec Astronomy]

How about getting it all shined up...and putting a cover on it?

[Murr1525]

Personaly, if it is just outside getting some rain on it, I would wait longer than a week to wash it. Not so much for wax's sake, but because anytime you touch the paint you risk putting in swirls.

Now, if you are under trees, getting sap on it, hard water landing on it from sprinklers, etc, then you wshould wash it more often.

[Paramedic]

I would make room in the garage and keep the company vehicle outside, if you park that inside. Not yours, keep you investment in nice condition and who cares about the companys vehicle.

[Michael Stoops]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
How about getting it all shined up...and putting a cover on it?

This is what I do for a car that's only driven a couple days per month. Works great - the car can sit for two weeks, I pull the cover and it's spotless!