How often to wash after full detail

[danediz]

So i am a daily driver. Lets say I have just washed, dried, clayed, polished, waxed. At this point do I continue to wash my car weekly like I have been? Or should I simply use quick detailer regularly? I wasnt sure if completely washing and drying the car weekly was necessary after putting wax on. obviously i do not want to be doing the full detail process every week but would like to keep the car clean. Thank you!

[Markus Kleis]

Re: How often to wash after full detail

Hi Dandiz!

Welcome to MOL, first of all. We are glad to have you here.

Just so you know I moved your thread into Detailing 101 where most questions fit (when in doubt, post them there), since Hot Topics is for Moderators to post or move topics only.

As for your detailing question, some people (like myself) will use quick detailing sprays and wipe downs to prolong needing to wash the vehicle, but most still turn to a traditional wash at some point. For me, it is usually every 2 weeks. For you, it could be 1 week, or it could be a month or more!

It really depends on where the car is kept, and where it is driven and parked. Use your judgment best as you can to tell when you can safely wipe the car down with a quick detailing spray without harming the finish, or, if it gets too dirty simply use a standard wash.

Does that clear things up?

[Murr1525]

Re: How often to wash after full detail

As alluded to, a quick detailer is only to remove light dust. For a daily driver, esp parked outside, light dust becomes heavy dust and road grime pretty fast if you dont do it every day.

If your plan is to clean the car once a week, I would have to say that a regular wash is best.

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

Now, after washing, you could use a product like the Ultimate Quick Detailer to restore some shine and a little protection to help the wax last longer. If you wanted to spend a few extra minutes, Ultimate Quick Wax would add even more protection.

[cardriver]

Re: How often to wash after full detail

After a full detail (for me, about every 4-5 weeks), I wash whenever it's needed, or whenever you feel like, both of which can depend on lots of factors. My daily driver, 24/7 outside non-garaged Civic needs a wash 3-4x month.

And the only time I use a quick detailer spray is:
1)A few hours after waxing or washing, when product shadows or streaks appear. (Those wax smears weren't immediately visible after wash/waxing).
2)To clean up bug or bird bombs soon as I find them. I only treat spots, not the whole car, or even whole panels. Just spots.
3)Maybe one day after the car has had a nice wash, and even so, only for spot treatment.
I think that's the gist of my QD uses...

I never use a QD for large areas, or for dust purposes. As lubricating as they are/are supposed to be, I'm still paranoid about smearing the dust around. Plus, if you take care of a problematic area with QD, then the other panels just look bad/dusty in comparison. Then if you equalize the deal by doing the whole car, then you've just used up a substantial amount of QD, a handful of MF towels, and probably introduced some micro-marring in the paint .

One wash per week (and I use a maintenance spray wax after each wash) does the deal for me.