Tips/tricks/life-hacks for washing & waxing a big truck?

[Martinjmpr]

I spent about half a day yesterday washing and waxing my new-to-me 2018 F-150. It's a nice truck and I want to keep it looking good, but man, washing and (especially) waxing is such a laborious, time consuming process that it makes it really easy to put off to another day (evidenced by the fact that I bought the truck almost 11 months ago in August of 2019 and this is literally the first time I've waxed it.)

I washed by hand and then used liquid wax (turtle wax.) And although it looks nice from a distance, up close I see streaks and swirls and a kind of "oily" look to the surface.

So does anybody here have an easier way to do this that you like? I'm skeptical of 'spray on' wax from the car wash because it just seems like it wouldn't be that good (and also because I see no reason to put wax on the windows - if anything that seems like a bad idea.)

Is there something that's better/easier to use than liquid wax like turtle wax? I'd probably wax the truck more frequently if it didn't take the better part of a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to do it. If color makes a difference my truck is fire-engine red with a color-matched fiberglass topper.

Thanks in advance!

[brutal]

Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic spray.

On a squeaky clean vehicle, spray on, wipe with a microfiber till dry (almost immediate). 2-3 sprays per 2-3 sq ft.

Wait 24 hours and spray it again and no wax needed for 6-12 months. Did mine a week ago so I'll see how that works out.

You can "stack" the ceramic spray with the ice spray wax for more pop. Ice tends to sheet water a bit more than the hybrid which will bead and can spot.

If you've only hand waxed it once, you probably need to strip off all the garbage first before doing anything.

[Irving]

Timely thread. I don't wax, but I was my cars at my house. I've got a jug Turtle Wax brand soap and it's terrible. I can't remember the brand of the last jug I had. Any recommendations on a decent soap?

[00tec]

I use Meguiars. Works great in the foam cannon.

[MrPrena]

Wax/buff when it is wet.

I use to use turtle wax to in-store brand. Now, whatever is on sale/clearance at walmart.

We also have 2 polishers.

I treat (now and past) all nice and 20yr old clunkers all same wax/buff.
Only difference is that I wax black cars little more. Black Car Matters on how you buff/wax.

[Erni]

Maguires liquid is nice. It cleans and waxed well. Last time followed it with carnuba wax on the hood and that popped. I am not up to speed on the new generation of polishes.


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[ray1970]

I can?t hardly keep two motorcycles clean. My truck gets washed maybe twice a year at the car wash. Next time I clean it up I?ll take some pictures. It stays parked outside year round and has four at least the past seven years or so and the paint is still nice and shiney. I think the constant layer of dirt and dust really protects the finish from the elements and UV rays.

[kidicarus13]

Meguires liquid wax once every year or two and then Turtle Ice spray after a regular hand soap or auto car wash when you want a shiny truck/car.

[brutal]

Meguires liquid wax once every year or two and then Turtle Ice spray after a regular hand soap or auto car wash when you want a shiny truck/car.

That's a good solution/combo.

When I was using wax, I used the Nu-finish polymer which I believe is pretty much the same stuff. $8.49/bottle at wallyworld and it lasts 6-12 months unless sandblasted.

[BPTactical]

I like using boat waxes, they hold up better and offer better oxidation protection than regular automotive waxes. I have used 3M Ultra Performance Boat wax and StarBrite Premium Polish.
Porter Cable variable speed buffer/polisher and HexLogic foam pads.
I still need to wax my truck, I just haven't had time yet but I did wax the trailer with the StarBrite and damn, it be slick!
It's a liquid, a little dribble on the pad and at low speed I do 6-8 feet. Simple wipe with a microfiber towel to finish it off.