Washing tips if you don't live in a shady area?

[Scooter McGoo]

I don't have any trees or access to shade where I live.  I live in a townhouse so we don't have a proper driveway, so much as we have an alley.  There is no shade (other than what the buildings provide at certain points of the day), and even so, my F150 is so big it's never even half way shaded.

 

Any tips from those of you without shady driveways or parking spots would be much appreciated.  It's tough as the truck temp is always high on one side, and everything drys so quickly.  

[Beemer]

Get started before sunrise. Dry it off before the sun gets high.

 

Sometimes you have to sacrifice for the shine.

[falcaineer]

Don't apply any water to the car until absolutely necessary. Here's a basic outline of the process of recommend:

 

1) Clean wheels, tires, wheel wells and exhaust tips first, spraying only those areas

2) Foam Gun/Canon (if you have one...and if not, get one!) the entire car with Adam's (pH neutral) CS or W&W. If it dries on the car, no worries. The soap will NOT harm your car.

3) Wash car with Adam's sponge/pad/mitt, only using the soap and water that's in the cleaning tool

4) Now, hose rinse the car, and start the clock to get it dry

5) Dry with DS as a drying aid, using either of the drying towels; HGG is another awesome option to dry, seal up and add shine!

[Rich]

One of those larger pop up canopies could help if you can find one that's not way out of line in price and it's big enough.  Nobody has a garage you can use for a day?  How about a parking garage?  Once your ride is washed,  you could always head there and detail it. My son in law is in the same situation, only he has a 250 and it's black.  No shade.  I have to agree with Roger and say start as early as you can, and get as much done as you can early, even if it takes more than one day.

Of course............you could always move!

[Last_cast]

I'm in the same situation..

Gonna pick up a canopy and do it in the streets of nyc..

Gotta work with what you got I guess.

[Nathan]

Washing at night seems to be popular here on the forums!

[vm1971]

I never have shade, never did. ... thanks to the Adams stuff though, it makes it workable. 

Very early on is good, and the post 3PM hours too. Ive yet to have any issues but i DID use a big Canopy once while doing a 2 day correction on my previous 2010 SS during a FREAK heatwave. that was fun...   grrrrr

 

For drying, I still do the old school "pooling rinse"... after rinsing the car with the normal hose "gun", i take it off and just "pool" the hose water down the entire car, ... creating the big pools of water that roll off, and make drying MUCH easier. I also recommend getting the BEST drying towel, and believe me... the NEW Adams towel (super plush, not waffle) is a God Send. Griot's makes similar and even that one is a beast. (Most likely the same material and density - they are powerhouses). It really makes a world of difference.

 

[Chadley]

No shade here either, I'm a fan of early morning before it gets too hot. I have good results with pooling rinse and detail spray. My black truck seems to get too hot for good results with the H2O

Adam's products are the best I've used for working in direct sun.

[vm1971]

No shade here either, I'm a fan of early morning before it gets too hot. I have good results with pooling rinse and detail spray. My black truck seems to get too hot for good results with the H2O

Adam's products are the best I've used for working in direct sun.

Ya, a couple of my customers that I travel to... also have no shade, so I start around 7am and pack a lunch! And they are always blown away and love the outcome.  

[Chonke]

H2o guard and gloss is great when it comes to drying your car quickly. It literally takes one wipe with a damp towel to dry in the sun. Without it, i have to use two towels, one to remove excess water and the other to finish drying

[Scooter McGoo]

One of those larger pop up canopies could help if you can find one that's not way out of line in price and it's big enough.  Nobody has a garage you can use for a day?  How about a parking garage?  Once your ride is washed,  you could always head there and detail it. My son in law is in the same situation, only he has a 250 and it's black.  No shade.  I have to agree with Roger and say start as early as you can, and get as much done as you can early, even if it takes more than one day.

Of course............you could always move!

Good idea about the parking garage, but there aren't any near by and i fear most of the truck will try by the time I get there.  There is a park near by that may offer some shade if i can find a parking spot.  Maybe I pull up there and detail there.  I just hope the trees don't drop crap.

 

PS- the South bay in LA is paradise.  I could never leave 

 

I'm in the same situation..

Gonna pick up a canopy and do it in the streets of nyc..

Gotta work with what you got I guess.

If you find one that works well let us know the brand/price.  I've yet to find one within reason.

Edited May 31, 2017 by Scooter McGoo

[Scooter McGoo]

Don't apply any water to the car until absolutely necessary. Here's a basic outline of the process of recommend:

 

1) Clean wheels, tires, wheel wells and exhaust tips first, spraying only those areas

2) Foam Gun/Canon (if you have one...and if not, get one!) the entire car with Adam's (pH neutral) CS or W&W. If it dries on the car, no worries. The soap will NOT harm your car.

3) Wash car with Adam's sponge/pad/mitt, only using the soap and water that's in the cleaning tool

4) Now, hose rinse the car, and start the clock to get it dry

5) Dry with DS as a drying aid, using either of the drying towels; HGG is another awesome option to dry, seal up and add shine!

 

H2o guard and gloss is great when it comes to drying your car quickly. It literally takes one wipe with a damp towel to dry in the sun. Without it, i have to use two towels, one to remove excess water and the other to finish drying

 

Great tips, thanks.  I just picked up some H20 G&G so I think this might be the route I take.  My truck is white and I start early, so washing/drying is hit or miss, but by the time I want to wax it's too hot/sunny.  However, being a daily driver that stays outside, I think I'll only go with H20 G&G instead of waxing for more protection.  Should arrive by Saturday, just in time for another wash. 

[Last_cast]

Good idea about the parking garage, but there aren't any near by and i fear most of the truck will try by the time I get there.  There is a park near by that may offer some shade if i can find a parking spot.  Maybe I pull up there and detail there.  I just hope it doesn't have trees with crap that falls off of them.

 

If you find one that works well let us know the brand/price.  I've yet to find one within reason.

https://www.thegazebostore.com/easy-pop-up-party-tent-10-x-10.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw07nJBRDG_tvshefHhWQSJABRcE-ZslceIpLnho7pAyQQ6Y8qjj9bN5Jh9XHfbdVFSCUJ2RoCIi_w_wcB#.WS70CdIrKM8

 

I have something like that for camping. super easy to put up.

 

When I try it, ill let ya know how it goes.

Edited May 31, 2017 by Last_cast

[Chadley]

Good idea about the parking garage, but there aren't any near by and i fear most of the truck will try by the time I get there.  There is a park near by that may offer some shade if i can find a parking spot.  Maybe I pull up there and detail there.  I just hope it doesn't have trees with crap that falls off of them.

 

If you find one that works well let us know the brand/price.  I've yet to find one within reason.

 

IMO, Caravan canopies are easier to set up and more affordable than the EZ up Canopy. I have one of each for the past 10 years that I use at BBQ events EZ Up has needed replacement parts a few times but the Caravan is going strong.

[Scooter McGoo]

IMO, Caravan canopies are easier to set up and more affordable than the EZ up Canopy. I have one of each for the past 10 years that I use at BBQ events EZ Up has needed replacement parts a few times but the Caravan is going strong.

What is a Caravan canopy?  They look the same as EZ Ups, so is it just another brand of canopy that you're saying is more durable/reliable?  I like that they have 10x15's.  That might be perfect for a truck.

[falcaineer]

H2o guard and gloss is great when it comes to drying your car quickly. It literally takes one wipe with a damp towel to dry in the sun. Without it, i have to use two towels, one to remove excess water and the other to finish drying

I second Vunce's inputs above - couple suggestions that should get your drying down to 1 towel...sheet/pool rinse first, and/or pick up one of the new ultra plush drying towels.

 

Great tips, thanks.  I just picked up some H20 G&G so I think this might be the route I take.  My truck is white and I start early, so washing/drying is hit or miss, but by the time I want to wax it's too hot/sunny.  However, being a daily driver that stays outside, I think I'll only go with H20 G&G instead of waxing for more protection.  Should arrive by Saturday, just in time for another wash. 

Have you applied PS? It's ideal for dailies, including those that stay outside a lot. Then, use HGG (or Ceramic Boost, according to many on here like Dan T.) every 3-6 washes or so for maintenance and added shine. My car is a daily driver that's white, too, and this regimen is working wonders!

[Scooter McGoo]

Have you applied PS? It's ideal for dailies, including those that stay outside a lot. Then, use HGG (or Ceramic Boost, according to many on here like Dan T.) every 3-6 washes or so for maintenance and added shine. My car is a daily driver that's white, too, and this regimen is working wonders!

I haven't, though it's on my list to get eventually. Is it doable/effective to apply by hand? I don't have a machine and don't really want to get one at this time.

[vm1971]

I haven't, though it's on my list to get eventually. Is it doable/effective to apply by hand? I don't have a machine and don't really want to get one at this time.

Ive done it both ways (by hand, and by machine...) and either way is totally do-able. 

by hand is much easier than you think, and still effective!

[Nathan]

I haven't, though it's on my list to get eventually. Is it doable/effective to apply by hand? I don't have a machine and don't really want to get one at this time.

The latest formulas allow PS to be applied by hand or machine.

 

A machine is nice for big areas and for getting an even coat, and a hand application is nice for tight areas.

Edited May 31, 2017 by Nathan

[Chadley]

What is a Caravan canopy?  They look the same as EZ Ups, so is it just another brand of canopy that you're saying is more durable/reliable?  I like that they have 10x15's.  That might be perfect for a truck.

 

They look the same but the buttons for adjusting the height of legs are sooo much easier to operate and it folds and unfolds easy enough I can put a 10 x 15 by myself. The EZ Up requires 2 people to pull in opposite directions in order to expand.

[Scooter McGoo]

Ive done it both ways (by hand, and by machine...) and either way is totally do-able. 

by hand is much easier than you think, and still effective!

The latest formulas allow PS to be applied by hand or machine.

 

A machine is nice for big areas and for getting an even coat, and a hand application is nice for tight areas.

Great to know.  I'll be sure to add it to my next order 

 

They look the same but the buttons for adjusting the height of legs are sooo much easier to operate and it folds and unfolds easy enough I can put a 10 x 15 by myself. The EZ Up requires 2 people to pull in opposite directions in order to expand.

Interesting.  I may have to think about one of these then.  Not only will it fit the truck, but it will be perfect for the beach.

[falcaineer]

Great to know.  I'll be sure to add it to my next order 

Yep, do that for sure. And don't forget the hex applicator (red or yellow), unless you change your mind about a machine polisher. Oh, and you'll need to strip wash the car before applying it, so pick up either the SW, APC (a few ounces with some CS works well), or you could use blue Dawn dish soap (not as good of suds, and some fret the potential drying out of the trim...but I've used it with no ill effects, so can only assume it's a potential long term effect of repeated usage).

[falcaineer]

Forgot...you should clay it, too, after the strip wash, if you haven't done that recently. And may as well polish it, too, since you have bare paint to work with. So much to buy, one would think it's an addiction. Oh, wait!

 

Post some pics when done. I think you'll be thrilled with the look.

[Scooter McGoo]

Forgot...you should clay it, too, after the strip wash, if you haven't done that recently. And may as well polish it, too, since you have bare paint to work with. So much to buy, one would think it's an addiction. Oh, wait!

 

Post some pics when done. I think you'll be thrilled with the look.

will do.  Clay & H20 G&G should be here this weekend. 

[mathews31]

Washing at night seems to be popular here on the forums!

Seriously! SO MANY PEOPLE Wash at night, I'm a little lotta tempted to try it

[Scooter McGoo]

Seriously! SO MANY PEOPLE Wash at night, I'm a little lotta tempted to try it

 

Yeah, but I can't tell you how much I look forward to washing my truck and drinking a beer during the day.  It helps me get through the week. I had never even considered doing it at night because it's so nice to be outside during the day, but it makes a lot of sense.  Maybe I'll give it a whirl.