Car washes equal paint death.
If you really can't wash your van at home, use a reputable hand car washing service or a pressure washer - do NOT wash the paint with a brush.
Two buckets (one for soapy water, one for clean water), a wash mitt and a grit guard in the bottom of the rinse bucket is what you need.
Do small areas at a time and rinse the mitt any time it looks at all dirty - that dirt will scratch your paint. The top of the van is usually quite clean and needs few rinses but as you work your way down, rinse the mitt more often.
And be sure to hose off the soap before the water dries off.
Also try and dry it with an MF towel if possible to avoid water marks.
With regards to products, it's easy to overdo it and over the years I've realised what is needed and what isn't - my aim isn't to have a permanently show shined van/car because that's simply not practical; I keep mine polished and cleaned to protect it and make it easier to clean next time; it doesn't need to take an entire day - just some practical steps to keep your van looking good while at the same time retaining your sanity (and your other halfs).
Essentials:
A good pressure washer; I'd say only snow foam if the van is REALLY bad - I find a good blast off actually does a pretty similar job to the snow foam when it's not too bad.
Two buckets one with a grit guard.
A good wash mitt.
Car shampoo - don't go super expensive; they're all pretty similar.
At least half a dozen MF cloths - grade them keeping the "worst" for wheel drying/interior wiping and the best for polish removal/window cleaning.
A multi purpose cleaner - absolutely brilliant all round cleaner - I use Bilt Hambers one at about 1:4 with water - it does almost everything from the wheels (spray, agitate, wait, rinse off) to the slightly annoying plastic floor (spray, agitate with a softish brush, wipe off), the door plastics and the tyres. It's also VERY cheap.
Protector spray for the carpets - most car brands do one - I use the BMW Mini one (half the price of the BMW one!).
A good glass polish - loads do them, some are a total pain to get off. You can do the dash plastics, satnav, all sorts with it.
A good, easy to use polish - Dodo Supernatural Hybrid for me - polishes AND seals, easy to remove, leaves a great finish. Not the cheapest but the best value IMO.
Things I've found I don't use a lot are:
Detailing clay - yes it's a good thing to do but it doesn't need doing often and it's actually quite easy to do more damage with it than good.
Harsh wheel cleaners - just too strong. I tend to just use multi purpose cleaner. I occasionally do the Subaru Wheels with some but they are a right pain to clean. Not used any on the van with it's easy clean Devonports.
Wheel polish - I was an avid fan for a while but realised they don't last long at all. I don't bother any more.
Detailing sprays - again I used to use it but don't bother any more. You can't clean with them (wash it) and if your van is polished well, they don't add any protection. They can be useful for getting rid of spot marks of bird muck but you're not being kind to your paint rubbing bird muck off - use warm/hot water in a sprayer, gently lift the bird cack off. If it's the welded on brown stuff, you'll need your trusty pressure washer.
Tyre dressing - yes I do use it occasionally but it lasts about three days then looks poor again. Use the MPC regularly and the tyres should be okay.
If a regular clean and dry off is taking you more than an hour, you're doing it wrong. Allow a couple of hours for a polish but taking an entire day is approaching "oh dear" territory.
It's REALLY annoying when you get your van looking spot on only to have a short journey muck it up but it happens - round here it happens a LOT!!
Bored yet?
