How to speed up Car Washing?

[Tall Tail]

I live in Southern CA and drive on dirt roads with very fine dusty frequently (~every week). See Picture.
The dust can inhibit some of the sensors and obstruct my view.
The dust doesn't rinse off easily with just water and a hose with jet nozzle.
So, I wash my truck once per week and it typically takes ~4 hours.
I use the two (5-gal) bucket (Rinse and Soap) method.
I generally start with a thorough rinse including the under body with a garden hose and nozzle on the the jet settings.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Melnor-Heavy-Duty-Thumb-Control-8-Pattern-Nozzle-00452-HD/204506937

I then wash the truck from top to bottom using the following equipment.

• Car Wash Soap: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXF...H7FOPQIM&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it
• Microfiber Wash Mitt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086HKHWZ...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
• Step stool

Then i dry it with a Chamois Cloth:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AY69...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I wax it top to bottom every 3 to 6 months with a Ceramic Spray Coating:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XYPS3P...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I then put it away in the garage.

What are some products, tools, and techniques to get the same level of clean and protection in less time?

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[Ricksc]

I use a touch-less drive thru car wash weekly. 10 bucks and 8 min done

 

[pappcam]

I use a touch-less drive thru car wash weekly. 10 bucks and 8 min done

Yep. These aren't exotic race cars that are only out for nice weather. They're meant to be used and a quick wash through the car wash is all I need, although I do need to scrub off bugs after some highway driving.

 

[Riddick]

A foam cannon may help you a little bit. You can spray the truck down and let it sit. Might loosen up the dirt a little more. If you have a pressure washer I'd definitely use that with the foam cannon.. I use a fairly cheap foam cannon with my pressure washer, and it works very well. I think it's a Armor All Brand foam Cannon.

What brand ceramic spray are you using? I've had pretty good luck with the turtle Wax brand, it's definitely not as good as a true ceramic coating but works great for what it is. You may need to step up and have the truck professionally ceramic coated or devote a weekend to it and do it yourself. Also, they make ceramic coatings for the glass. I bet that would help with the dirt sticking on your back glass.

 

[Graygoose2021]

Get it ceramic coated...while wont help the dirty road shine...will make cleaning easier.

 

[Magician]

I think I’d try a good pre rinse with a small pressure washer and then foam it down and let the soap loosen everything up the rinse didn’t get. It’s quicker to wash when half or more of the dirt and grime is rinsed off before you start the bucket step. I’ve personally never been a fan of the “two bucket” method but to each his own. Pre rinsing or foaming kind of takes the need for that away. Just my opinion.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

How speed up the car wash?

Like this.

 

[Tall Tail]

A foam cannon may help you a little bit. You can spray the truck down and let it sit. Might loosen up the dirt a little more. If you have a pressure washer I'd definitely use that with the foam cannon.. I use a fairly cheap foam cannon with my pressure washer, and it works very well. I think it's a Armor All Brand foam Cannon.

What brand ceramic spray are you using? I've had pretty good luck with the turtle Wax brand, it's definitely not as good as a true ceramic coating but works great for what it is. You may need to step up and have the truck professionally ceramic coated or devote a weekend to it and do it yourself. Also, they make ceramic coatings for the glass. I bet that would help with the dirt sticking on your back glass.

I use the Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating on the windows, plastic, metal, fiberglass shell, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XYPS3P...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[Tall Tail]

Any guidance on the spray nozzle type, pressure setting, distance from sprayed surface for a pressure washer?

I have been tentative about using the pressure washer due to concerns of paint adhesion to the aluminum body.

 

[JumboJVT]

Just don't. Easy.

 

[jhelrey]

Stop driving on dirt roads!

 

[Davidwnuc]

Pressure washer
Foam canon
Leaf blower to help dry it

 

[RcFlyer330]

Any guidance on the spray nozzle type, pressure setting, distance from sprayed surface for a pressure washer?

I have been tentative about using the pressure washer due to concerns of paint adhesion to the aluminum body.

40° spray nozzle in a size that puts the pressure around 1000 psi.

This calculator can help
https://www.mtmhydroparts.com/pages/nozzle-size-calculator

But you really need to measure it expecially with high psi pressure washers.
If you want to do the reasearch imjoshv and carswithkeav on youtube do pressure washer tests.

https://youtube.com/@carswithkeav?si=IZDCY6NXPiR1Bl1Y
https://youtube.com/@imjoshv?si=eYdRfB2NWvhr0QI6

It takes me ~2 hrs (ceramic coated and this speeds it up by a lot) depending on what i do with my pressure washer and foam cannon. For how close you can get to the paint my one nozzle puts my pressure washer ~1300psi and you can get less than 2 inches to the paint without causing problems. My other nozzle is right around 1100psi and you can hold it an inch away and not hurt the paint but use caution.

I also follow a modified thedetailgeek's ( https://youtube.com/@thedetailgeek?si=poVN8H8LDMhaDd5Q ) wash process. I spray off as much dirt as i can first, foam it, then contact wash, I should use the two bucket method but i dont i just have a dirt guard with dirt guard sides where i can really scrub my wash pad to remove trapped dirt and clean it after every panel or every half panel depending on dirt load.

 

[Riddick]

Will confirm a 40 degree nozzle works great. My pressure washer is rated @ 3300 psi and I run it about 1/4 throttle when washing vehicles. No idea what the pressure is but I keep it a couple feet from the paint at least and never had an issue. Also use this same pressure washer on our dirt bikes, pressure was entire bikes and never any issues.

I pre rinse entire vehicle washing off all mud and anything stuck to paint. I then use foam cannon to apply a thick layer and let it sit on paint for a minute or so. I use a microfiber wash mit and also use a grit guard in my bucket. Takes me an hour to wash and dry truck, 2 hrs If I use the turtle Wax hybrid solutions ceramic spray.

 

[Tall Tail]

Thanks for the YT links. I'm going down the rabbit hole.

Do you guys have any links for products you recommend?

Grit guards
Washers
Nozzles
Car wash soaps
Foam cannons
Pressure washers
Etc.

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