Detailing?

A dirty surface contains hard particles, too. They can cause scratches, when pushed around with a sponge.
I would say: the more water, the less scratches.
Waterless wouldn't be an option for me.
A bucket with washing water and one or two with clean water for rinsing and then drying with some soft cloth/rag should do, too.
Without rinsing there will remain more tensides on the surface. They're like magnets for new dirt.

 

I put my Prius through a car-wash twice a year (start of summer, start of winter), but here's how I do all the glass (whenever it's needed (about every couple of months):

…I've found it to work even better than the "0000 SteelWool followed by Rain-X" treatment which I used to use before I found the "Clay Bar & wax" method!

 

Are you referring to just detailing, or a complete one, that includes the engine bay?


Dxta

 

Any friends or relatives with a house (with driveway, hose etc)?

 

I'm going to say, what I've said repeatedly for years.
Having been someone who when younger, really enjoyed cleaning and detailing their vehicle, I'd say you get out of it, much of what you want to put into it. Or can put into it.
Hand washing, hand detailing and hands on finish maintenance and protection is the best. If you use good products and do it right.

I have reached a living situation where I also do not have access to a hose, faucet, and room to wash my vehicle.
I have also reached an age, where the real proper effort and energy that goes into washing and detailing and applying such products just seems too daunting. I can't really do it anymore.

So I compromise as best I can.
Which means using the admittedly a compromise, drive thru car wash. I pick one that is active, used by many, and seems as well maintained as possible.
This I do once a month...or maybe more, if the vehicle get's extremely dirty for some reason.
Also, I haven't done this yet, but I plan to pay a detailer to do a REAL hand waxing at least once every year.

I also at least twice a year use a "Easy" product. There are many instant spray on waxes, and finish protectors that are pretty much wipe on and wipe off. I don't really have the time or energy to really buff and wax my vehicle properly, but I still can spray on and wipe off.
The one I'm currently using is Meguiars Ultimate Fast Finish. I would say it's OK, perfectly acceptable. It's best for a finish that is newer and in pretty good shape to start with, and as a quick protectant. Kind of a keep a new finish, looking new type of product.
Pro's- I think the vehicle looks pretty good after application. It pretty much is a wipe on, wipe off affair with no buffing.
Cons- It's an aerosol product, which I don't really like. It's also such a light product, clear nearly invisible, that for me it's kind of hard to gauge coverage area, or how much I'm actually applying and where. -Younger eyes might not have this problem.

I have also used Meguiars and Turtle Waxes "Instant Waxes" and they are fine products as well.

But ultimately, the more money you invest, the more energy you are willing to expend, the better the possible results. And it comes down to figuring out how much time, money and energy you want to invest.

There was a time when I shunned drive thru car washes. Now even in relationship to the risk and damage I know they can do, it's an occasional compromise I do make.
I think I would rather live with some potential swirl marks...than a dirty vehicle year round.

 

Our nearby dealership has a pretty sweet carwash, where the car rolls in and stops, then the apparatus passes along it. We've had the car through it once or twice when in for warranty issues, and it seems to do a decent job. I've got some free carwash coupons from them, might take it through sometime this winter. Especially if we get a real temperature dip.

 

…and, by the way, I don't mind driving a dirty car, but I absolutely detest driving anything with dirty windows, especially at night! So, if I'm short of time, I'll do the glass and not bother with the paintwork! …but that's just me!

 

…but be warned washing your car when the nights are sub-zero! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has washed the car, left it out overnight, and found the locks and/or the door seals frozen solid next morning. Solution is to lubricate the locks with graphite, and treat the door-seals with ski-binding lubricant!

 

I usually dry the car with a leaf blower, think that helps. Very rarely I'll be washing the car and have it starting to freeze up during the drying process; that's always unsettling.

Pretty lucky on the west coast, with ocean air usually moderating temps. It's just the occasional Arctic outflow from the interior deep freeze that gets us.

 

That's another part of the compromise or change in myself over the years.
I've come to accept living with a dirty vehicle...more than when I was young. Now if my vehicle looks a little dusty? Dirty even? I can ignore it for a week or two...
When I was young? If it wasn't show room, or the cleanest vehicle in the parking lot, then I went into detailer mode.

My compromise now? Is also, if it IS dirty, I still keep the windows as clean as possible.
That way, at least when I'm sitting IN the vehicle looking out...I can pretend it's all clean.

 

…sounds like someone needs to invent a hot-air leaf blower! (…I think I might even have an appropriate name: "The Washington Leaf-blower" ) Have at it, @Mendel Leisk !

 

Oh. That's Open Road Toyo in Port Moody. Maybe other dealerships have sim.

 

Good Luck.
The funny thing is, I've used a LOT of products over the years. From classic waxes to instant spray products.
BUT...
About the one thing I've never used, is a rinseless wash type of product. Could never bring myself to trust the concept that you wouldn't need water.
So I can't really give too much advice or experience comment on how they work or don't work.