What’s in Your Rivian Wash Kit? Here’s Mine. 🫧🧽🛻

[SenatorSteak]

I’ve got a new 2026 Forest Green Tri-Motor R1T and have been slowly dialing in my wash setup.
Figured I’d share what I’m using so far — still tweaking things, so open to better ideas or what others are running.

🫧 Foam Cannon & Pressure Washer Setup

1. Chemical Guys Big Mouth Foam Cannon Essentials Kit — View on Chemical Guys
   This is my current setup for pre-wash foam and getting the truck clean without dragging a ton of dirt across the paint.
2. Greenworks 2100 PSI Electric Pressure Washer — View on Amazon
   Solid entry-level pressure washer. Works well for pre-rinse and foam cannon use.
3. Terry Cloth Towels
   Basic drying towels I rotate through for rinse and dry stages.

Exterior Washing & Protection

1. Chemical Guys HydroSuds Ceramic High Foaming Car Wash Soap — View on Amazon
   Good foam, good lubrication, easy rinse and leaves a nice finish.

🛞 Tires, Trim & Application Tools

1. Chemical Guys VRP Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Dressing — View on Amazon
   Keeps tires and trim looking clean with a natural satin finish.
2. VIKING Tire Shine Applicator Brush — View on Amazon
   Makes applying dressing even and mess-free.

Interior & All-Purpose Cleaning

1. Chemical Guys Nonsense Colorless & Odorless All Surface Cleaner — View on Amazon
   Great for dash, doors, seats, plastics, and general interior cleaning without residue or strong smell.

Interior Cleanup Tool

1. HOTO 4-in-1 Cordless Handheld Car Vacuum — View on Amazon
   Quick grab-and-go vacuum for crumbs, dirt, and pet hair. Also fits perfectly in the R1T’s speaker drawer and I can run a USB-C cable to it to keep it charged.

Sponsored

 

[EricT]

Brown Bear car wash.

 

[tdrew55]

I’ve got a new 2026 Forest Green Tri-Motor R1T and have been slowly dialing in my wash setup.
Figured I’d share what I’m using so far — still tweaking things, so open to better ideas or what others are running.


🫧 Foam Cannon & Pressure Washer Setup

1. Chemical Guys Big Mouth Foam Cannon Essentials Kit — View on Chemical Guys
   This is my current setup for pre-wash foam and getting the truck clean without dragging a ton of dirt across the paint.
2. Greenworks 2100 PSI Electric Pressure Washer — View on Amazon
   Solid entry-level pressure washer. Works well for pre-rinse and foam cannon use.
3. Terry Cloth Towels
   Basic drying towels I rotate through for rinse and dry stages.

Exterior Washing & Protection

1. Chemical Guys HydroSuds Ceramic High Foaming Car Wash Soap — View on Amazon
   Good foam, good lubrication, easy rinse and leaves a nice finish.

🛞 Tires, Trim & Application Tools

1. Chemical Guys VRP Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Dressing — View on Amazon
   Keeps tires and trim looking clean with a natural satin finish.
2. VIKING Tire Shine Applicator Brush — View on Amazon
   Makes applying dressing even and mess-free.

Interior & All-Purpose Cleaning

1. Chemical Guys Nonsense Colorless & Odorless All Surface Cleaner — View on Amazon
   Great for dash, doors, seats, plastics, and general interior cleaning without residue or strong smell.

Interior Cleanup Tool

1. HOTO 4-in-1 Cordless Handheld Car Vacuum — View on Amazon
   Quick grab-and-go vacuum for crumbs, dirt, and pet hair. Also fits perfectly in the R1T’s speaker drawer and I can run a USB-C cable to it to keep it charged.

Car wash and a credit card.

 

[SwampNut]

An RFID sticker that lets me roll through the wash tunnel. Also that tiny tire brush is far from ideal for big tires. There’s a better version that’s wide and curved.

 

[mkg3]

Get the vehicle fully ceramic coated (PPF for the front and the side mirrors at least) and the wash is so much simpler and easier without doing all of the above.

 

[SenatorSteak]

An RFID sticker that lets me roll through the wash tunnel. Also that tiny tire brush is far from ideal for big tires. There’s a better version that’s wide and curved.

That brush is just the applicator for the VRP - just a few second a tire. Have a large wash brush too

 

[SenatorSteak]

Get the vehicle fully ceramic coated (PPF for the front and the side mirrors at least) and the wash is so much simpler and easier without doing all of the above.

Well you have to keep the inside clean too and a ceramic wash with a foam cannon gets it really clean in just a few minutes. $5k+ for PPF is silly.

 

[Julyz05]

Get the vehicle fully ceramic coated (PPF for the front and the side mirrors at least) and the wash is so much simpler and easier without doing all of the above.

DIY detail products. KISS principle. Wash mine weekly. Takes 20-30 min max to wash and wipe interior.

 

[SwampNut]

That brush is just the applicator for the VRP - just a few second a tire. Have a large wash brush too

I know, this is a better option, and also, this product lasts far longer than VRP on tires. It's only necessary every few months.

https://a.co/d/0eLy8zBW

https://adamspolishes.com/products/graphene-tire-dressing™

VRP is decent for trim though.

 

[Dasoss]

I’ve got a new 2026 Forest Green Tri-Motor R1T and have been slowly dialing in my wash setup.
Figured I’d share what I’m using so far — still tweaking things, so open to better ideas or what others are running.


🫧 Foam Cannon & Pressure Washer Setup

1. Chemical Guys Big Mouth Foam Cannon Essentials Kit — View on Chemical Guys
   This is my current setup for pre-wash foam and getting the truck clean without dragging a ton of dirt across the paint.
2. Greenworks 2100 PSI Electric Pressure Washer — View on Amazon
   Solid entry-level pressure washer. Works well for pre-rinse and foam cannon use.
3. Terry Cloth Towels
   Basic drying towels I rotate through for rinse and dry stages.

Exterior Washing & Protection

1. Chemical Guys HydroSuds Ceramic High Foaming Car Wash Soap — View on Amazon
   Good foam, good lubrication, easy rinse and leaves a nice finish.

🛞 Tires, Trim & Application Tools

1. Chemical Guys VRP Vinyl, Rubber & Plastic Dressing — View on Amazon
   Keeps tires and trim looking clean with a natural satin finish.
2. VIKING Tire Shine Applicator Brush — View on Amazon
   Makes applying dressing even and mess-free.

Interior & All-Purpose Cleaning

1. Chemical Guys Nonsense Colorless & Odorless All Surface Cleaner — View on Amazon
   Great for dash, doors, seats, plastics, and general interior cleaning without residue or strong smell.

Interior Cleanup Tool

1. HOTO 4-in-1 Cordless Handheld Car Vacuum — View on Amazon
   Quick grab-and-go vacuum for crumbs, dirt, and pet hair. Also fits perfectly in the R1T’s speaker drawer and I can run a USB-C cable to it to keep it charged.

I take my R1S to the local DIY car wash. It has stealth PPF and cerami coating. I don't use the high pressure rinse, high pressure wash, foam brush, wax, or blow dry features. I do use the low pressure rinse, low pressure foam pre-rinse nozzle and the spot-free rinse. I just don't pull the lever for high pressure. My kit includes a microfiber scratch free wash pad with a telescoping handle, a soft chenille microfiber wash cloth and a lot of large soft, scratch free microfiber towels. Also a silicone rubber squeegee, ammonia free window cleaner spray, a interior glass cleaning pad with a handle for the windshield and wet bags for the wash cloths. I put it all in a big duffel bag.

 

[mkg3]

Well you have to keep the inside clean too and a ceramic wash with a foam cannon gets it really clean in just a few minutes. $5k+ for PPF is silly.

There are interior ceramic coatings and it will keep the synthetic surfaces much cleaner and clean up easier.

As for the PPF, the front and side mirror only should cost around $2K and will save all the pitting and chipping that most likely will happen with the flat plate-like facia of Rivians, speaking from almost 3 years of R1S ownership.

 

[Mousetrap]

@James B. , @connoisseurr , @Gee Bee - this thread is calling for y'all!

 

[SwampNut]

There are interior ceramic coatings and it will keep the synthetic surfaces much cleaner and clean up easier.

Yup, much better than the old type products. I use this and love it:

https://www.chemicalguys.com/products/hydroshield-vinyl-rubber-plastic-ceramic-shine-coating


I also keep a dash duster in my front console organizer. I dust during car washes. They also provide some pre-wet towels to clean things while you go through.

 

[mkg3]

DIY detail products. KISS principle. Wash mine weekly. Takes 20-30 min max to wash and wipe interior.

I wash all of my 4 vehicles by hand. I have one PPF and ceramic coated, two just ceramic coated and one without anything. The ease of cleaning does differ significantly to get it to the same level of cleanliness.

All but one of my vehicles are garaged so they get washed about once every 4~6 weeks on a staggering basis.

 

[SwampNut]

Oh, and speaking of cleaning and the great Chemical Guys products, this is great for the Alcantara, and smells phenomenal (and light). I use a small or large generic suede shoe brush on it with this spray.

Sponsored