How to Wash Black AT4 in AZ

[ZJB]

Changed it up and bought a black at4 (live in AZ). And it’s awesome. However, not sure where to wash it. I have a hose in the front yard but time is limited. Some say do it yourself, some say any car wash closest to you works.
So Looking at car wash memberships - one (Quick Quack) says they have a brushless system. Thoughts?
Anything helps!!

 

AT4 Forum Fav 👍

The Original Short Rubber Replacement Antenna - Grab one through Amazon!

[Dennis’s Canyon]

Get the membership. As a previous black car owner I found that black will never ever stay clean.

 

[ZJB]

Any membership or brushless one? Thx!

 

[Hatche90]

If you’re taking it through a car wash then I highly recommend a touch free car wash over a brush style car wash. With a brush style car wash your truck will show ALOT of swirl marks due to picking up all the dirt from the previous vehicles that went through. I personally would prefer to wash it at home by hand and with a 2 step bucket process followed by a wax coat or ceramic coat to prevent and keep the black paint from showing the minimal amount of scratches. However, I know that washing a truck is very time consuming so I’d find a touch less car wash and get a membership since it’ll look dirty 30 minutes after washing it (lol).

 

[CDNSS]

I have a Black AT4 and winter in Arizona it has been Ceramic coated which I highly suggest
However Arizona has very hard water and will leave water spots unless you wipe it down Without a good coating im sure the water spots will be very hard to get out of paint
So find a touchless wash thats has a spot free rinse for sure

 

[yzf1999]

Trade it in on a white truck..that’s the best advise.
lol

 

[Hatche90]

Trade it in on a white truck..that’s the best advise.
lol

Getting it wrapped is always an option too.

 

[pinebaron]

Although my wife frequently takes her CRV through the car wash she swears by, I have never taken my truck or car through any car wash. I have always hand washed, prepped and waxed my two black vehicles. No ceramic or wrapping etc. I use the best carnuba waxes, paint sealers, tools etc. Admittedly it can be a workout following messy drive but I love it.

 

[Hatche90]

Although my wife frequently takes her CRV through the car wash she swears by, I have never taken my truck or car through any car wash. I have always hand washed, prepped and waxed my two black vehicles. No ceramic or wrapping etc. I use the best carnuba waxes, paint sealers, tools etc. Admittedly it can be a workout following messy drive but I love it.

I’m going to assume that you’ve tried ceramic coats on your vehicles? i prefer a ceramic coat over a wax especially if you let the vehicle sit in the garage for a day or so before driving it and exposing it to the outdoor elements. The ceramic coat seems to bead off the water (even hard water) better than wax and stays on the vehicle for a long period

 

[pinebaron]

I’m going to assume that you’ve tried ceramic coats on your vehicles? i prefer a ceramic coat over a wax especially if you let the vehicle sit in the garage for a day or so before driving it and exposing it to the outdoor elements. The ceramic coat seems to bead off the water (even hard water) better than wax and stays on the vehicle for a long period

Nope! Never tried ceramic coat or intend to. Its a matter of personal preference. Our seven stage R/O water purification removes 100% contaminants in the water and leaves no trace following a wash. Good swissvax carnauba waxes I use, keep the vehicle looking prestine longer even between home car washes.

 

[Snakeboyaz]

I’m in Az too, I have a black at4 nnd my wife has a black Yukon. I have a pass for Jackson’s that’s $40 a month, it’s touch less, they clean the interior and do a pretty good job. I usually go once or twice a week. My wife goes to cobblestone which is all mechanical seems to be hard on the paint, pays $35 a month and they don’t do the interior.

 

[pinebaron]

Mines still looking good , Comparitively less tire debris spray with mudflaps installed.

 

[xOperator]

Mines still looking good , Comparitively less tire debris spray with mudflaps installed.
View attachment 7318 View attachment 7319

which mudflaps are those?

 

[pinebaron]

which mudflaps are those?

Gatorback CA Mud Flaps - Black/AL specifically for the 2024 2500HD AT4X AEV Edition which seems to have a little different fitting. This was a no-drill install.

 

[Azgasser]

Although my wife frequently takes her CRV through the car wash she swears by, I have never taken my truck or car through any car wash. I have always hand washed, prepped and waxed my two black vehicles. No ceramic or wrapping etc. I use the best carnuba waxes, paint sealers, tools etc. Admittedly it can be a workout following messy drive but I love it.

I lived in AZ for decades and once the ceramic coating improved I went that route. The challenges with waxes it the heat/UV rays breaks the wax down very fast (think leaving a candle outside in 110 degree heat). If you don't have much dirt/dust on your vehicle look for waterless washes or something similar and you can knock it out in 15 mins or less. A good ceramic coating and a quick detailer will take you a long way in a state that typically gets less than 10" of rain/year.