I work in the industry zone in a town about 30 miles from home. I have a Black 2013 2500 Cummins that I’ve owned for a little over a month now. I park In gravel right up about 20 feet from a railroad track. There is also a foundry on the other side of the tracks so I get Industrial fallout as well as Rail dust and gravel dust daily. I tend to wash my truck every Friday after work. I’m taking vacation next week and I think I’m going to deep clean claybar And polish my truck one of the days I have off. What would be the best way for me to protect my paint from all of the fallout it’s subjected to? Should I just wax it again or try a ceramic coating? My 2001 Ram that is my beater truck has had the paint absolutely destroyed on it from neglect and I don’t want to do that to my good vehicle. I plan to drive the old dodge through the winters but I’d like to be able to actually drive my new truck the other 8 months of the year without completely eating the clear coat off of it

 

I've had great luck with synthetic waxes like Meguiars but lately ive been hearing about the wonders of ceramic coatings. So in a few months i'm going to clay the truck and go ceramic and see how that works.

The biggest thing is longevity. I have yet to find a wax that lasts as long as they say it will. For reasons like you say, with all the pollutants in the air and the UV they just don't last. I try and talk to car detailers when i can and people who are obsessed with cleaning their cars and they all pretty much say the same thing. Whatever wax you choose expect to wax your truck 2-3 times a year if you want good protection. The main difference in waxes it seems as how easy they are to apply and whether they stain dark plastic.

 

Yeah I’m trying to actually take care of this truck it’s a 2013 from down south and is spotless underneath I’d like to keep the rust at bay and keep the paint in good shape for as long as possible. Like I said if there is salt on the highways the truck is staying parked at home it’s just the parking at work that worries me. The rail dust is horrible and I know it embeds in wax and clear coat. I can already feel the impurities building up in the paint with my hand. I was thinking ceramic might resist this a little better. I don’t hand wash which I know is the better option. I just use the spray wand at the car wash nearby my job but I do wash it weekly. Im not opposed to hand washing it’s just inconvenient at my house. I’m considering giving it a quick rinse on Tuesdays because after 2-3 days it really starts showing the dust.

 

Have a read here. Some interesting information. (I am not affiliated with anyone or anything on that site.)