Any recommendation for washing?

[ChitownRivianFan]

I am in suburbs and don't want to drive all the way to downtown every time to get the car washed (expect for that windshield fluid fix ).

Any recommendations on frequency to wash and what type of car washes are better.
I don't have Protective film or Ceramic coating - felt too expensive so cheaped out. so wondering if regular car washes will damage paint.

thanks

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[TexasCrane]

Why would you have to drive downtown to wash your car?

 

[madgrey]

I think it's important to use PH balanced soap, and there are a few good ones. Look at price per application (not necessarily per oz) if you are value conscious. Chemical Guys CWS207 was the last one I purchased.

 

[R1Tom]

I use touchfree automated washes all the time for the daily drivers. Never had an issue with any of them.

 

[elektrode]

You do have to have a pressure washer for those composite side bottom panels. You have to blast the F out of them to clean them.

Edit: just spent $11 with pressure wand on my truck and the bottom composite panels STILL are DIRTY. WTF. Hardest plastic to clean I have ever owned.

 

[crashmtb]

not Rivian specific but universal:

In winter: Cheapest level of touchless automatic wash that does an underbody spray.

not winter: two bucket method, the cheap pink meguiars car wash soap.

dry with a blower.

lazy not winter: closest coin op car wash to home. Dry with a few 0-100 launches.


if you are ambitious, apply a good sealant like the Klasse twins. Do it beforecand after winter. Maybe there’s better stuff now but it’s inexpensive, works really well, and lasts.

if you’re less ambitious, have the car polished and waxed professionally on the same schedule.

 

[electruck]

You do have to have a pressure washer for those composite side bottom panels. You have to blast the F out of them to clean them.

Edit: just spent $11 with pressure wand on my truck and the bottom composite panels STILL are DIRTY. WTF. Hardest plastic to clean I have ever owned.

I've already got some Cerakote Trim Coat ready to apply as one of the first things I do after delivery. I'm hoping it will help out with that problem.

 

[mkg3]

I usually wash it by hand myself. It's a great time to see if any small chips or hits from road debris. Also look for scratches and road grease.

At the same session, check for fluids, accessible filters, also clean all interior surfaces and vacuum. On my non-EVs, check the engine oil, power steering fluid, coolant level and K&M engine air filter check.

Having lived in the northeast, I am painfully aware of winter issues, to which I no longer deal with.

Sincere we pay extra weather tax to live in SoCal, least I can do is to clean my own vehicles - And I still sort of like it

When I was younger, I used to wash the cars every week but now, probably once a month on a weekend morning.

Btw we have several mobile carwash services that come to your house or business with their own pressure washer and supplies. Maybe one of those would work for the OP.

 

[elektrode]

I've already got some Cerakote Trim Coat ready to apply as one of the first things I do after delivery.

Thanks for that tip! I gotta try something. First have to get them clean at least once.

 

[Craigins]

I am in suburbs and don't want to drive all the way to downtown every time to get the car washed (expect for that windshield fluid fix ).

Any recommendations on frequency to wash and what type of car washes are better.
I don't have Protective film or Ceramic coating - felt too expensive so cheaped out. so wondering if regular car washes will damage paint.

thanks

Let me know if you find a place. I've been meaning to ask on the forums as well. I'm out in the west suburbs.

 

[RedDragon]

Let me know if you find a place. I've been meaning to ask on the forums as well. I'm out in the west suburbs.

If you are in the west suburbs the best automated car wash is Fullers in Countryside as you may be aware. Their employees drive your car through the wash. And they do a significant vacuum before and window wash after.

As and aside, I recently took my Jeep Wrangler (with steel bumpers thank god) through the automated wash nearby in Brookfield. The driver in front of me knocked his car in park during the wash and the rollers slammed my jeep into the back of his car repeatedly until they stopped the wash!!!

I have taken my rivian thru that one before but wont do it anymore.

 

[iansriv]

It depends on your tolerance level and the colour of your car. If it's black then that is a separate conversation. White and silver or similar colours will show dust/dirt/swirl marks less. I've skated the edges of relationship destruction with the amount of time I've spent on my cars and the unhealthy obsession I had. My silver R1 should cure all that and I just plan to hand wash it once a month. Enjoy the car and spend your time where you best think it deserves. Cheers.

 

[jasonphoto01]

Hmmm…could you use the onboard air compressor to blow dry?

 

[ChitownRivianFan]

planning to use has car washed by my home - they charges vary but not too expensive. Saw some for $35 exterior, good price esp. during winters.

 

[Thedude]

My average so far is one wash every two months at a drive through touchless wash.

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