Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

[reddarin]

Black 2008 Ext-Cab F150. It is a daily driver. I'm not doing paint correction. I'm working by hand - no DA. It has been many months since I've done a full detail on it.

It isn't convenient to wash and wax here at the house so I am faced with either going to an appropriate coin-op place and doing it all there (potentially hours of work) or washing there, returning home and doing the detail here (where I have a RR, cold water to drink, all my supplies at hand).

So, the question is: Washing the truck several miles away, driving home and finishing the detail here, is that insane?

What about the bug splats, road grime and dust that is sure to get on the vehicle in the time between washing and waxing?

I'm certain that question has been raised many times and I searched but I couldn't figure out the right key words to find posts on it.

What are ya'lls thoughts? Any links to other threads that have dealt with this question? And if you just did a search and found those threads I'd like to know what key words you used =)

Darin

[reddarin]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

I did find this thread that is related but significantly different since the paint was prepped right after the wash:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?54661-Delay-from-Polish-to-Wax&highlight=delay+waxing

[ethereal45]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

Shouldn't be that big of a deal honestly. Spray it down with a quick detailer before you wax and you shouldn't encounter any problems. Assuming it's not a real "dirty drive" between the coin-op washing bays and your residence, I don't see any problems.

[reddarin]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

Man I know this has got to be a stupid question but won't using QD or UQD interfere with the wax application?

[wifpd4]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

Nope. Use QD, it less expensive and you're just cleaning off dust prior to waxing. UQD has additional properties you don't need prior to waxing, but it too will work fine if you already have it.

[ethereal45]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

Not a stupid question at all. There has been some talk of polymers interfering with applying a product afterwards like a compound, polish, or wax. Since UQD does have polymers in it, theoretically you could run into this. I don't know how much of a concern it is.

I personally would use plain old QD, as it will not leave much on the surface. You shouldn't run into any problems with QD. If you are concerned about interference with either QD or UQD, an option would be to wipe down the paint with a 50/50 or so mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water (after using QD, of course). This will make sure the paint is super clean and ready for wax to bond.

[ajb39oh]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

I've done that several times. No big deal. Just wipe off new dust, bugs, etc. before you start polishing.

[mis3]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

In this occasion, I would use the California Duster to remove the dust first before waxing. Then wipe the bottom portion of the car with UQD.

[reddarin]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

"wipe down the paint with a 50/50 or so mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water"

I like that idea but is that safe for the paint/clear_coat?

[Murr1525]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

It is safe... not really needed...

[reddarin]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

Did you use QD of UQD ajb39oh?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

As others have mentioned, this is neither a stupid question nor a stupid proposition. As long as you're not driving home in the rain (which we assume you wouldn't since you were just out washing the truck) or driving many miles down a dirt road, then the dust you pick up can be easily and safely removed with some Quik Detailer and a few microfiber towels. We would stick with QD rather than UQD because it's cheaper and you don't really need the polymers in UQD just before doing other work on the paint. The IPA wipedown isn't the best way to go either since it's not going to add the lubricity you want/need for removal of the dust - stick with QD.

Now, if you're seriously worried about picking up too much dust or bugs, you could quickly rewash the truck once you get home using our Rinse Free Express Wash. Just an ounce of product added to a couple gallons of water, a good wash mitt and a couple of drying towels and you'll do an excellent job of cleaning everything off the truck before you start working on it. In fact, unless it's covered in mud, you could just do the entire wash that way and never even leave the house.

[ethereal45]

Re: Wash remotely - drive home to wax?

Sorry I may not have been clear -- I was suggesting an IPA wipedown after the quick detailer to ensure there was nothing there to impede wax bonding -- but again, this is a superfluous step.