Getting my car ready for a trip

[Nightrider]

Hi guys!
I'm about to take my car on it's first road trip since I bought it last year.
I'm heading down to Arkansas to visit my uncle and see the Arkansas Derby horse race.
Anyway...I just wanted to ask all of you your suggestions in keeping my car's finish looking good during the trip. I'm most worried about the front end of my car with the bugs, road grime, tar, stones etc. I am planning on taking alot of my detailing supplies with me but was wondering what you all have done in your past road trips to minimize the effects of the road on your cars?

Thanks to all in advance for your tips!

Jeff

[Carfire]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

There is not much to stop the bugs.
I would bring a Spray Detailer, and Glass Cleaner, with the needed supplies.
There is going to be a lot of brake dust too, so may a Quik Wheel Detailer also, and some Spray Tire Shine.
Have fun!!
Good Luck!!

[Nightrider]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

There is not much to stop the bugs.
I would bring a Spray Detailer, and Glass Cleaner, with the needed supplies.
There is going to be a lot of brake dust too, so may a Quik Wheel Detailer also, and some Spray Tire Shine.
Have fun!!
Good Luck!!

Thanks Carfire! Good ideas. I know I can't stop the bugs, but how can I make them easier to remove at a car wash once I get there? How many coats of NXT 2.0 should I put on the front of my car to keep them from damaging the clear coat finish I have?

Suggestions guys?

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Spray on UQW and leave it on
Wash your car every chance you get
you can use a coin operated high pressure wash
then UQW
Detail it asap
Just remember your on a trip and not at home

[Nightrider]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Spray on UQW and leave it on
Wash your car every chance you get
you can use a coin operated high pressure wash
then UQW
Detail it asap
Just remember your on a trip and not at home

Thanks Mario for your suggestions!

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Your welcome!
Also, please drive carefully and fully rested!
I'm an EMT and have seen collisions, you don't want to be apart of that!

[Nightrider]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Your welcome!
Also, please drive carefully and fully rested!
I'm an EMT and have seen collisions, you don't want to be apart of that!

I will. My car's got Onstar and the latest safety equipment on it too which should help.

Jeff

[Tuck91]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

i go fishing down in Mountain Home, Arkansas every year, good times.

anyways, i would bring:

Glass cleaner
detailing spray
Quik Interior Detailer
APC
carpet and upholstery cleaner
tire shine


have fun!

[Rob66]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

I knew someone who put what we call 'cling film' over the front of his bonnet to stop bugs on the way to a car show, it works but looks a little odd

I think you call it '????? wrap'.

[Megafast13]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Hey, I would organize a little trunk kit for the trip!

You must have Detailer Line or NXT Glass Cleaner=To keep the windshield lookin' good.

Some Ultimate Quik Detailer and some Microfibers.

Quik Wheel Detailer to clean the loads of brake dust

You'll be surprised how messy the inside will get. Take some APC and/or Carpet Cleaner

If you have a small handheld vacuum those can come in handy as well.

Maybe some Foam Tire Shine, just spray on and walk away/drive off. You probably won't have time to apply other kinds of Tire Shine.

So:

1. Glass Cleaner
2. Ultimate Quik Detailer
3. APC
4. Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner
5. Quik Wheel Detailer
6. Tire Shine
7. Supreme Shine Microfibers
8. Hand-held Vacuum (If you have one)

Down the road you could get a Trunk Organizer from ADS.

Just remember to never use the Gas Station Squeegees or Car Washes !!!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Definitely organize yourself a travel kit. Besides all your go to products, Quik detailer, glass cleaner, wheel cleaner, make sure you pack a lot of microfibers.

Enjoy your trip and drive safely.

[Nightrider]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Nick, Rob, Mega & J.A. thanks so much for your ideas! I will be putting together a little car care kit to take with me. Hope to have that Meguiar's duffle bag by then to pack all my detailing items into. The only car washes I'm gonna use will be the ones with the hand held wands.

Jeff

[tonyroc14]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

i go fishing down in Mountain Home, Arkansas every year, good times.

anyways, i would bring:

Glass cleaner
detailing spray
Quik Interior Detailer
APC
carpet and upholstery cleaner
tire shine


have fun!

That's where my mom lives. Im going back there this summer for 3 months. Good people there.

[tonyroc14]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

Also, I think 3m makes a clear spray-on bra. My uncle used it before when he went to a car show. It works good, but it's a little harder to get off, but it won't damage the paint, and you wont see it either.

[CieraSL]

Re: Getting my car ready for a trip

I know Rain-X makes this stuff that you just spray on your car so the bugs don't have anything to cling to, and it just comes off with your next car wash. Here's the info from the Rain-X website:

Rain-X® Bug & Tar Protective Shield is created on a simple idea that bugs and tar can't damage what they can't touch! Bug & tar residue can damage your vehicle. This revolutionary aerosol spray creates a thin barrier of acrylic polymer to shield your vehicle from bug and tar residue.

• Water-soluble formula easily washes off, carrying all potentially damaging debris with it!
• Apply before long road trips or in heavy bug season
• Safe on chrome, metal, paint and plastic

Quick tip: If you want to see how the shield works, spray a small area of film on your vehicle and peel off the film!


You might try this and see if it will work for your bug concerns. I haven't tried it myself, but Rain-X makes good products for the most part (with a few exceptions) so I would think it would work pretty good. Enjoy your trip!