What to bring on a crosscountry roadtrip???

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CleanGeek12

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Greetings! I am happy to be part of the AGO community!
I will try to keep this post short and to the point. I am doing a cross country road trip with my brothers in late July. We're starting in Southern California to Florida (roundtrip). We plan on it taking 8+ days.
One of the cars we are using is my 2014 ford focus (performance blue :xyxthumbs:). Right now its got Natty's Blue Paste Wax over DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant (applied a couple of weeks ago).
I'm considering bringing ONR as a QD and a few MF towels. Is there anything else I should consider bringing along with me, especially for bugs? Is there something I should 'prep' my car with?
Any help is appreciated,
CleanGeek12




 
I'd skip ONR an bring a 22oz bottle of UWW+. It can be used waterlessly and as a rinseless - all in the same product. It's what I always bring on the road because it's versatile at both tasks and also a class leader at both. It also works well to wipe down interiors and makes a pretty good glass cleaner.

ONR can do some of those things - but UWW+ does them better.

Don't know how far you want to get into this, but if you plan on cleaning wheels or doing anything that requires a bucket - pick up some collapsable buckets from eBay for like $10. They work fine in a pinch, but can be a PIA to fill up with a pressure washer, as they wanna fly all over until they have some water in them.

I'd probably bring some type of bullet proof spray wax as well - Sonax Brilliant Shine is one of the best here. Keeping the car freshly waxed or BSD'ed will make the bugs spray off with a pressure washer. Nothing is going to make bugs easy or safe to remove with a QD.
 
I would coat/seal your glass before leaving and bring a quality glass cleaner like sonax.

I'd also put on an extra layer of wax etc. on the front end of your car
 
Both Wolf's Chemicals (The Mask) and Griot's Garage (Bug Barricade) make temporary spray-on coatings for road trips. I've never used either one but they might worth a look. Supposedly they both simply wash off without harming the underlying LSP.

I completely agree with Swanicyouth's comment re: UWW+

As far as the windscreen goes I'd invest in some better windshield washer fluid. Both 1Z and P21S offer fluids that are more effective than the generic gas station blue juice. Make sure your wiper blades are in good shape too. If you want to go with a windscreen treatment I've used Rain-X (rather long ago), Wolf's Glass Guard and GTechniq G1. IME none of them last as long as claimed but any of them should be adequate for your trip. I didn't find Glass Guard to be as durable as G1 but it probably represents a better value. I haven't used them but you could also look into Aquapel or Nanolex Glass Ultra. I've heard very positive comments about the latter from people I tend to trust.
 
Take a waterless wash and lots of microfiber towels.

Every time you pull over to a quickie mart or gas station wipe the front of the car down. Keep it simple and you'll keep it fast and save your paint job.

Take two large plastic bags. Put your clean microfiber towels into one bag. As you use up your towels place them in the second bag. If needed, stop into a laundromat and wash a load of towels to keep a supply of clean towels with you on the trip.


:)
 
I would bring my 2 buckets, grit guards, large drying towels, Aqua sponge, all to do a rinseless whenever I want/need to. It wouldn't hurt to have wheel cleaner and glass cleaner also. Now before all that, a complete exterior detail is order for sure!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
You might want to consider one of these in case you get the "bug." It will fit on your 5 gallon bucket.
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Seat Cover
 
ezriderga said:
You might want to consider one of these in case you get the "bug." It will fit on your 5 gallon bucket.
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Seat Cover
Click to expand...

I used to work in the oil field. I had one of those. Put a garbage bag in first, do your business, and tie it up.
 
I plan on driving from Wyoming to Illinois this summer with my PB Focus ST. Once I get to IL I will have access to a hose and buckets. My plan is to get some small travel size containers at Walmart in the cosmetics/shampoo section. One is going to be soap. I only need one or two washes so I won't need much, and a spray bottle of bug stuff. A few years ago I picked up a Meguiars gift pack that had a few 6oz spray bottles, I still have them and just refill them as they are a nice small manageable size. I have one for QW that I will bring, one for quick interior cleaner that will come, one for Interior protectant, one for glass cleaner. I got a sample size 303 carpet cleaner here, a sample size leather cleaner/conditioner from here, and with my last order I opted for the sample size APC (I hope that is what actually comes and not something else). So in small 6oz size bottles I will have soap, apc, carpet cleaner, interior cleaner, leather stuff, spray wax, bug stuff, glass cleaner, and interior protectant. Besides some wheel cleaner that I could put in a travel size spray not sure what other chemicals I will need for 8-10 days. I should also have access to a garage once there. Now all I need is towels a couple drying towels a couple for the spray wax, and a handful of the small cheap not for paint ones. I will have access to a washing machine so I don't need many, just enough for one wash and dry.
I have a hatch not a real trunk and I think the chemicals will all fit in the foam cubbies under the floor around the spare tire. Towels in a small bag to keep them clean and I am good to go.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys.
Im not sure if I would have enough room for two buckets (we are helping a friend move so cargo room is needed). But the UWW+ and a lot of MF towels sounds good. Also, two separate bags for clean and dirty MF towels is a great idea! I don't think I want to do any correction beforehand but I might after I get back, judging by the condition of the paint. I will do another layer of Natty's Blue before I go for that extra bit of protection.
Thanks everyone!
 
Coopers ST said:
I plan on driving from Wyoming to Illinois this summer with my PB Focus ST. Once I get to IL I will have access to a hose and buckets. My plan is to get some small travel size containers at Walmart in the cosmetics/shampoo section. One is going to be soap. I only need one or two washes so I won't need much, and a spray bottle of bug stuff. A few years ago I picked up a Meguiars gift pack that had a few 6oz spray bottles, I still have them and just refill them as they are a nice small manageable size. I have one for QW that I will bring, one for quick interior cleaner that will come, one for Interior protectant, one for glass cleaner. I got a sample size 303 carpet cleaner here, a sample size leather cleaner/conditioner from here, and with my last order I opted for the sample size APC (I hope that is what actually comes and not something else). So in small 6oz size bottles I will have soap, apc, carpet cleaner, interior cleaner, leather stuff, spray wax, bug stuff, glass cleaner, and interior protectant. Besides some wheel cleaner that I could put in a travel size spray not sure what other chemicals I will need for 8-10 days. I should also have access to a garage once there. Now all I need is towels a couple drying towels a couple for the spray wax, and a handful of the small cheap not for paint ones. I will have access to a washing machine so I don't need many, just enough for one wash and dry.
I have a hatch not a real trunk and I think the chemicals will all fit in the foam cubbies under the floor around the spare tire. Towels in a small bag to keep them clean and I am good to go.
Click to expand...


Klasse Act said:
I would bring my 2 buckets, grit guards, large drying towels, Aqua sponge, all to do a rinseless whenever I want/need to. It wouldn't hurt to have wheel cleaner and glass cleaner also. Now before all that, a complete exterior detail is order for sure!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I'm surprised neither of you suggested bringing a Rupes too. :dblthumb2:



Oh, and a long extension cord too, to hook into the soda machine receptacle at the rest stop.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it. With a good coat of wax on already, your paint isn't going to melt off that quick.

Then again, is it love bug season? If so, bring everything they said.
 
Get a kit of that spray on bra stuff. I know it looks terrible but who cares? It will protect your paint from all the acid in the insects that you are going to be exterminating during your drive.
And you can wash them off the coating without having to worry about being gentle. After your trip is complete remove the protective coating and the paint underneath will be just like it was before you left.
NOTE. This stuff does very little to prevent rock chip damage. And is absolutely useless for protecting against deer, or armadillos.
 
ducksfan said:
I'm surprised neither of you suggested bringing a Rupes too. :dblthumb2:



Oh, and a long extension cord too, to hook into the soda machine receptacle at the rest stop.
Click to expand...

Now you are thinking. :props:
 
oldmodman said:
Get a kit of that spray on bra stuff. I know it looks terrible but who cares? It will protect your paint from all the acid in the insects that you are going to be exterminating during your drive.
And you can wash them off the coating without having to worry about being gentle. After your trip is complete remove the protective coating and the paint underneath will be just like it was before you left.
NOTE. This stuff does very little to prevent rock chip damage. And is absolutely useless for protecting against deer, or armadillos.
Click to expand...
Another alternative to the spray on bug protectant is temporary paint protection film. Griot Garage is one source that has this. It will also give you some protection against small rock chips.
 
may want to consider either plasti dip or 3m's equivalent to protect the front end from any rock chips or what not, it'll keep it safe and will peel right off after your done
 
the 3m spray film may be a good thing to have.

Does anyone have any other good ideas to try and prevent/resist rock chip damage? My brother suggested taping up panels that are likely gonna get hit with rocks. Anyone else do this for long trips?
 
Any true AG person would have the vehicle repainted after any long trip :)
 
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