Waxing a car tomorrow that was washed today

**prr** · 07-20-2018, 11:45 AM

Heat wave in my neck of the woods, wasn't sure I'd get the wax on before the surface was 80, so I just washed my minivan this morning (with my other car as well), and I'll wax early tomorrow. Doing it tonight isn't an option--by the time ambient temperature is below 80, it will be dark outside.

My question: when I wax tomorrow, should I rinse the van off first, then dry it, before waxing--or would simply using a mf towel to push off any bits of dust be ok?

Is using water to push dust off, and then a mf to dry off the water, better than using the mf itself to push the dust off? It will be more labor for me to rinse & dry, rather than just wipe dust off dry paint, but if it would make it less likely that I'd get scratches, I'd do it. So would that just be wasting elbow grease, or is there a benefit to rinsing off with water (then drying), before the wax job?

**SATracker** · 07-20-2018, 11:53 AM

I'm in the same situation. If I wash at night, to avoid 100 degree temps, I use ONR before waxing the next day before applying my wax or sealant.

**derass** · 07-20-2018, 11:56 AM

I'd use quick detailer or waterless wash and a MF towel, and wipe down the whole car. Instead of wiping the dust off dry.

**prr** · 07-20-2018, 01:22 PM

OK two votes against just using a mf to wipe the dust off.

**TTQ B4U** · 07-20-2018, 01:29 PM

If the vehicles is garaged you should be fine to just lightly wipe it off. Unless you're dust is like dust-bowl like dust. Otherwise, I always prep my cars the day before and begin polishing them the next day.