Best protection for lazy owner...

[mikeselectricstuff]

Just picked up a nearly-new GT in metallic blue. As I'm typically too lazy and/or busy to do more than run a car through a car-wash now and then, I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on what would be a fairly long-lasting wax product to use now while it's still fairly new as protection against bird crap and general grime, the emphasis being on paint protection as opposed to maximum shinyness.

[Jay Scott]

FinishKare FK1000P is a tough, long lasting and relatively inexpensive wax/sealant, its super-easy to apply and it comes in a big tin so you wont run out in a hurry either.
Auto Finesse Tough Coat is also a great long-lasting sealant worth considering as well.

It is important to bare in mind that the better you prep the car surfaces for the sealant, the better/long it will last...You would ideally need to properly clean and decontaminate the car prior to application

The only note with wanting long-lasting protection, is that I'm not sure it goes hand-in-hand with the likes of industrial car washes (or even the public hand-wash garages) as I would imagine most use fairly strong cleaning solutions to shift dirt quicker/easier...these strong cleaners are likely to degrade and eventually strip your sealant. (Plus the automatic car washes put a crap load of swirls in your paintwork).

[Paralla]

If the issue is just lazy/busy and not cost you should consider taking it to a detailer and getting it professionally done.

Tell them your needs and they will be able to advise on what products are suitable, prep your car and apply them for you.

They will also be able to give you a plan to keep it in reasonable shape taking into consideration your relative neglect due to time/laziness. They might recommend 6 monthly visits for example to reapply the protection.

Stay away from automatic car washes, at the very least use a hand car wash.

[whiteDevil_170]

If the issue is just lazy/busy and not cost you should consider taking it to a detailer and getting it professionally done.

Tell them your needs and they will be able to advise on what products are suitable, prep your car and apply them for you.

They will also be able to give you a plan to keep it in reasonable shape taking into consideration your relative neglect due to time/laziness. They might recommend 6 monthly visits for example to reapply the protection.

Stay away from automatic car washes, at the very least use a hand car wash.

What he said !!

If your looking for an easy way of protection then tough coat is the easiest option. But that still involves washing , decontaminating the whole car then prepping car followed by sealent. Now that could be to much work your willing to do because your ' lazy ' or it might be fine. If it sounds like to much then defiantly get a professional detailing company to do it for you.

[Topaz]

If the issue is just lazy/busy and not cost you should consider taking it to a detailer and getting it professionally done.

Tell them your needs and they will be able to advise on what products are suitable, prep your car and apply them for you.

They will also be able to give you a plan to keep it in reasonable shape taking into consideration your relative neglect due to time/laziness. They might recommend 6 monthly visits for example to reapply the protection.

Stay away from automatic car washes, at the very least use a hand car wash.

Excellent advice and well worth it in the long run.

[skyblues11]

if the car is well sealed, then using just a power washer from a petrol station is enough. This is because the dirt is not so stuck on and will just get pushed away. i find even a garden hose is powerful enough.

5 min/ week should be enough, especially in winter where salt is more damaging than general mud.