Not a newbie, but I still want your thoughts on my maintenance process

[DigiDan]

I'm at a point in life with 4 young kids that I don't have the time to spend full days on washing, polishing, feeding, etc., so I'm curious what your thoughts are on this process. It's a bit minimalist, but given that I'm going primarily with synthetics and not carnauba, I'm trying to get the longevity out of the work. I have a truck and van, so there's plenty of surface to take care of.



1. Paint is extremely clean to begin with (clay bar it to do spot treatments)

2. Cars are garaged

3. Wash with foam gun and Meg's Gold Class

4. Dry with blower to get the lion's share of water, then final wipe down with microfiber

5. Final wipe with AquaWax, paint and glass

6. Maybe once a month I'll do some quick coats of Duragloss Total Performance Polish, or a quick coat of NXT 2.0

7. Rinse and repeat



I've found that the AquaWax gives such a dirt-repellent finish that I'm using that almost ALL the time. Base coat is either NXT or TPP, but AW is my go-to product. The gloss isn't SUPER durable, and I just will spot wipe with Meg's Ultimate Quik Wax, but it always beads to the extreme level.



Anything I'm missing by not using more carnauba?

 

[tom p.]

Dan, if you seek less time cleaning/polishing, avoid the carnaubas. They're short-lived.



Why not fly with the Duragloss 105 and keep it simple and pure? If not that, look at one of the long lasting sealants that are widely available.



It sounds to me like you could eliminate a few products which would permit you to evaluate what is working for you and what is not. Keep it pure so you can make that determination.

 

[DigiDan]

Thanks for the reply Tom. It's one of those things where you get into a process that really works, and you're so used to it that you don't consider varying from it.



I've been so impressed with the Duragloss products that I can't imagine trying to use anything else since they last long (especially in the sun). The TPP is great to remove the brake dust spots (orange specks) or other contaminates, and then follow up with some AW and it's set. I even use AW on my wheels and it helps repel the dirt from them as well.



If anything, I'm feeling cheated that I spend less time on the cars now Somehow I have to save that time...maybe just sitting in my clean truck and enjoying it more, even if I'm sitting in the garage!!!

 

[tom p.]

Somehow I have to save that time...maybe just sitting in my clean truck and enjoying it more, even if I'm sitting in the garage!!!

Absolutely nothing wrong with that since you're the only one that you need to please