Road Trip Supplies

[otter]

At the end of September my wife and I are taking a road trip through southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.

I want to put together some detailing supplies to keep the car looking good and handle any spills or mishaps that occur.

I was wondering what everyone recommends.

[CCMADONNA]

CarPros has a great bag for your Waterless Wash, detail spray, interior/leather cleaner, glass cleaner, and microfiber towels. http://www.carpro-us.com/carpro-deta...horized-store/

[JTruck]

APC, detail spray, waterless wash and some microfiber. Maybe some bug/tar remover. Other than that if you have a well maintained clear coat there's no need to carry much else.

[LIM3]

Bumper bra.

[Desert Stealth]

We just went on a road trip through NV, CA and OR. I used a flexible wine carry bag (the kind from grocery stores for 6 packs of wine) to carry my supplies. Detail spray, glass cleaner, interior detailer, waterless wash, and microfiber towels. The bugs on the front end are the worst part. I stopped by three different self serve car wash places to keep the bug level down to a reasonable level.

Have fun. We loved our trip.

Marcus

[myold88]

Has Anyone else staying overnight in a motel gone out at 5 AM with the trash cans full of water and several wet motel bath towels ?
I've done this several times to keep my Camaro clean on long trips. Just can't drive this car dirty.... lol

[JTruck]

Originally Posted by myold88

Has Anyone else staying overnight in a motel gone out at 5 AM with the trash cans full of water and several wet motel bath towels ?
I've done this several times to keep my Camaro clean on long trips. Just can't drive this car dirty.... lol

A motel bath towel would never touch my car let alone my own body.

[DylanVK]

If you can spare the room in your trunk a bucket with Rinse-Free Wash supplies is a must! Nice part is if you get a bucket with a lid it can travel with everything inside and limit the amount of wasted space.

5 Gallon Bucket
16oz bottle of Rinse-Free Wash & Wax
8-10 plush microfiber towels

That right there and you have everything you need to wash on the road (bring more towels if you won't have a chance to clean them at any point)

We actually have a kit that includes the basics -
http://surfcitygarage.com/scg-profes...-wash-kit.html





You can also easily fit a bottle of tire dressing, glass cleaner, detail spray, and anything else you might need on the road trip in that bucket. Just up to you on how many processes you think 'need' to be done - if your wife is like mine the amount of time I'm allowed to disappear to the hotel parking lot to clean is limited on vacation

[Splitter]

I am a mobile auto detailer and ALWAYS have a kit in the trunk that i consider the "road trip essentials".

Quick Detailer (w/ Clay Bar ready, great for road tar, bugs, dirt, etc)
Quick Spray Wax
Window Cleaner (Invisible Glass, by far the best stuff, read more below)
Tire and Trim Spray (Lucas makes some really good stuff)
Quick Interior Detailer & Cleaner (not necessary, imo)
Polished Wheel Cleaner
Scratch-X
Chrome Polish (for the tips and small strips of chrome on the car)
High Quality Chamois (for any precipitation)

I honestly think this covers everything for exterior wise.

ALWAYS CARRY CLEAN MICROFIBERS!

For EVERY step, I require at least 2 microfibers. One to apply and buff in, and one for the "final wipe" and removal of any remaining product. ESPECIALLY INVISIGLASS! I see lots of people complaining about this product and how it "streaks". It streaks because you MUST make sure all of the residue is gone. This can't be done with the microfiber you used to apply it. Always use a "dry" and fresh microfiber cloth to do the final wipe.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Those no water wash deals make me nervous. Can't do it.

[charlietuna]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Those no water wash deals make me nervous. Can't do it.

I'm with you I only use waterless wash to hose down bugs after a drive.

[Cldgin2]

California Duster is my best friend. (the real ones, not cheap knock offs)

I use Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detailer... Its safe on the paint, prevents swirls and deepens shine.

I have a small vacuum that plugs into my cigarette lighter, even has a small light on it.

I keep MANY microfiber towels in the trunk.

I have a container of invisi glass that has those towelettes in it. Quick, easy and streakless

Oh, and I have a mini California duster for the interior

[myold88]

Originally Posted by JTruck

A motel bath towel would never touch my car let alone my own body.

They are not motel towels, they are 100% cotton towels. Not going hurt your car...
I keep my car looking good on long trips... If it was black, would not be possible.

[its a syn]

Change your cabin filter if you have not done that since ownership. They cost about 30-35 dollars, nice to have clean one before a long road trip. Interior freshener also is nice after being in the car that much.