Everyone loves a fresh car wash, but not everyone loves washing their car. Like most enthusiasts, if your car is heavily modified, you can forget about those automated drive-in car washes. It's like playing Russian Roulette with the risks of it damaging something, and chances are it won't be show-quality clean anyway. I'm getting anxiety just thinking about it.
What about taking your car to a professional detailer? Well, that can cost you $100 or more each time — not something your wallet will be too pleased about after your third trip within a month. If you want a clean car, you are basically setting yourself up for a couple hours of manual scrubbing, drying and waxing at the least. Your car will look great, but your clothes will be uncomfortably damp and your fingers sore from getting in all the nooks and crannies.
Fancy going off-road? Then you're all too familiar with mud and dirt getting everywhere. You can't leave it there to set and ruin the paint. Update your Facebook status, because you're going to be busy for the rest of the night. There has to be a better way, right? Luckily, there is.
"Nano technology" is no longer a saying in sci-fi movies; it's actually being used in real-world things today — like car washes. Motoshield Pro is a new company that asks consumers the question, "How would like to wash your car every three years?" Water and dirt won't stand a chance after you've coated your car with their products, which include Paint Nano Protectant, Wheel Protectant and Color Enhancer and Upholstery Nano Protectant. Put that scrubbing sponge away; a quick rinse is all you need to keep your car looking brand new.
To see how easy the application process is and witness how well Motoshield Pro works, we brought out a familiar test subject. This vehicle makes so many appearances that it constantly has to stay show quality, but there's no denying that it was built to tackle mud, dirt and all of nature's elements: the first-responder-ready, Nitto TireRidge Grappler-equipped Reach Out World Wide-Inspired Ford F-150.
Fortunately, you're only three simple steps away from leaving the car wash life behind, with the help of Motoshield Pro products.
STEP 1: PAINT NANO PROTECTANT
Say goodbye to your wash bucket; proper application of their Paint Nano Protectant will keep your car looking clean for up to three years. Their solution is a liquid glass coating formulated to repel water and dirt, and create a shiny, cleanable surface. See how easy it is to apply.
• Pre-Clean
It is highly recommended to rid the surface of any grease (including wax), dust, dirt and scratches. The protectant will seal anything it is applied to, including imperfections, so make sure you get rid of those first! In most cases, a one-part isopropyl alcohol with four parts water mix in a spray bottle is all that you need.
• Apply Solution
Now comes the fun part. Apply a few drops of the solution onto the applicator, pick a panel and get ready to work. For best results, start with a horizontal line, and then wipe vertically downward, dragging the solution down from the horizontal wipe. Repeat this until you've covered every inch of the vehicle's body.
• Wipe Off Residual
After about five to 15 minutes, take a clean microfiber cloth and buff off any residual coating. Repeat these steps for a second coating.
Once you are all set, wait about 72 to 120 hours for the solution to properly cure. That means no car washes during this time, but who's complaining? For the tuners out there, Motoshield Pro also has a special solution for carbon fiber surfaces. For those dirt daredevils, they have an extreme off-road kit just for you.
STEP 2: WHEEL PROTECTANT AND COLOR ENHANCER
As long as you drive your car, even if you're careful, your wheels will always get dirty. Brake dust makes any wheel go from "wow" to "yuck" in a matter of seconds during a drive and is one of the most annoying things to clean. Thanks to Motoshield Pro, the brake dust will literally blow away all on it's own.
• Pre-Clean
The Motoshield Pro Wheel Protectant and Color Enhancer includes a pre-cleaner, and the application is exactly the same as the Paint Nano Protectant. The last thing you want is to trap any brake dust under the solution and be stuck with it forever.
• Apply Solution
This is the one time you will have to sacrifice for sore fingers, but if you do it correctly, you won't have to experience it again for the next three years. Again, apply a few drops onto the applicator and start spreading it onto every surface of the wheel. Depending on the wheel design, it might be easier to rip off the applicator (blue) part and just go with the more flexible foam (gray) piece only.
• Wipe Off Residual
Once you've got all your wheels coated, give it 5 to 15 minutes to set before wiping off any residual coating with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat these steps for a second coating.
To really seal in the solution, you must let it cure for 72 to 120 hours. With the Paint Nano Protectant also applied (because why wouldn't you have?), give your vehicle a break while you rest up yourself. Maybe start planning what you're going to do with all the free time you have for the next 3 years.
STEP 3: UPHOLSTERY NANO PROTECTANT
But wait, there's one more thing. Motoshield Pro doesn't only protect the outside, they have your seats covered too, literally. Whether you have a messy toddlers or that one messy friend always insists on riding shotgun, their Upholstery Nano Protectant is a clear, non-toxic solution designed to protect all types of materials.
• Spray
Here's the easiest application of them all. Make sure the seats are completely clean and dry, then simply spray your seats until everything is coated evenly. Keep the spray handy, because this solution lasts about three months, so you will need to reapply it every so often.
• Wipe to Clean
No use crying over spilled milk, because it will just bead up, you can wipe it away with no problem at all. Another great feature is that once the solution cures — which only takes about 15 minutes — it is extremely durable and breathable, which means it won't alter the look or feel of your seats. It's like it's not even there.