Easy, Safe in-between Paint Protection?

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NYYYCEandEEEEZY

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Frankly, I haven't waxed any of my cars in a long time. I buy them new, don't generally keep them very long, don't put too many miles on, and they stay in the garage when they're not being driven. I do wash them regularly by hand (recently using Meguiars), and rarely drive in bad weather.

Recently purchased an '89 MB 560SL and, among other things (Leatherique, RaggTopp, Ultima Tire & Trim, etc.), I recently hand rubbed the 3 steps of Mothers California Gold. Probably not a "top shelf" choice with some of you, but it certainly worked very well compared to the Turtle Wax and Nufinish products that I used years ago.

I plan on keeping this sunny-day driver for a while and, now that I have a half-way decent layer of protection on the paint, what can I do in-between that's easy and safe for the finish, and won't disturb what I've already done?
 
I don't know if this is the same situation as your vehicle, but I have a 76 jeep that sits in the garage. I haven't given it a full wash in maybe 4 months, but I do keep up with the cleaning using a quick detailer. I like ONR diluted for a quick detailer because it's safe and won't swirl your finish. I also like to use a spray wax to keep the finish feeling nice and slick. That way I don't have to wax it so much.
 
Once you washed and dried the finish, to keep that shine looking great for extended periods try a spray wax like Optimum Spray Car Wax or Duragloss Aquawax. Both are so easy to use and ideally suited for this situation...
 
BobbyG said:
Once you washed and dried the finish, to keep that shine looking great for extended periods try a spray wax like Optimum Spray Car Wax or Duragloss Aquawax. Both are so easy to use and ideally suited for this situation...
Click to expand...

+1 on OCW.... it is more than just a typical spray wax. I have used it as an LSP and it lasted for several months.
 
+2. OCW and AW work a little differently but both give good results. The application method for both is to spray on (to the vehicle or your towel) and wipe in until the product disappears. OCW with its carnauba content requires a little more work to get it to disappear.

There is also an OTC solution (which I haven't used), Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax--a lot of people seem to have good things to say about it.
 
Since you say your cars rarely get dirty and you wash them regularly, I would suggest something like Duragloss Rinseless wash with AquaWax. It works like most rinseless washes but has the added benefit of containing AquaWax which is one of Duragloss' best products. It is not really a wax but a "topper" sealant that is usually applied to a LSP and for touch ups and boosting shine. It bonds to most sealants (at least those made by Duragloss and I assume others) to give a little more protection and added shine between details. I guess it could be considered sort of a quick detailer on steroids except it needs to be applied on a clean car. If you don't like rinseless wash products you can always use the spray AquaWax as Bobbie suggested. The only real benefit to this rinseless wash is that it would save you that step of spraying and buffing after washing. Just don't try to wash a really dirty car with it as it has its limitations. AquaWax in whatever form is really good stuff!
 
In the mid-60's, when I was in college, I had a '62 Chevy Impala Convertible that I had purchased new a couple of years before (wish I still had that car now!). After washing and "detailing" the car a few day before the way I used to i.e.: dishwashing detergent wash, family bath towel dry, and something like Turtle Wax, I stopped to visit my father. We were in the yard talking, and he casually leaned against my car by placing his fanny against one of the front fenders. After a couple of minutes of almost jumping out of my skin, I had to ask him, "Please don't lean on the car. I washed it a few days ago, it's probably a little dusty, and I don't want the dust to accidentally get ground into the paint."

He never forgot that and told that story more than once over the years. Unfortunately, I've never changed the way I feel about that sort of thing and, because of that, I know I could not comfortably use any kind of rinseless product without first washing the car! How stupid is that?

But, I do like the suggestion by Bobby and others that I could use something like Optimum Spray Car Wax AFTER FIRST washing and drying the car.

Thank you to all of you for your thoughts. After some thought and research of my own following reading all of this, I've decided to get some Optimum to use in these circumstances. As Bobby said, it sounds "ideally suited for this situation".
 
Ahhhh, but once you use a rinseless wash,you'll never go back to regular washing your garage queen again. Rinseless is used with water and a bucket, so no worry about scratching or marring the paint and drying is a brease. Then wax with the Optimum Spray Wax and the car will look great. I haven't hose washed my Mustang since spring when I first detailed it.
 
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