External van cleaning products

Just looking for some product recommendations from any of you guys/girls that you use for the external washing/waxing of the van.
I’ve got a shed full of Meguiars GRP stuff from motorhome and some combined wash/wax shampoo and neutral snow foam, all allegedly better for GRP - will probably offload to mate with motorhome 
If it helps I do like to keep the van clean but it might jut be a quick wash/dry day before going away, don’t always have time to do full detailing on it, every time.
Main things was just wondering with it just been same as the car now, mostly metal & paint.
Does anyone recommend these hybrid ceramic type sprays or are they just a similar finish to a good wax coating?
What about the huge amount of plastic - sure we’ve probably moved on from the old back to black in tins, seen these new liquid types or pads - do they work.
Or just a few Autoglym bits to see over winter and give it to someone decent in spring.
Recommendations usually better than trial and error I find
Thanks in advance Sheppy

Hi Shelly. I have tried pretty much everything to keep the plastic trim looking nice but haven’t found anything yet that lasts although I must say mine is 9 years old and probably not well looked after by the previous owner. Best so far auto glym plastic & trim gets it looking nice but doesn’t last worse I tried was boiled linseed mixed with white spirit. Did not last and a real pain to get off the paintwork. If you find something decent please let us all know. Kevin

I don't think you beat liquid shoe polish but it only works if your plastics are black and not dark grey, lasts months on mine. 
As for bodywork, I use Silky to clean traffic film and general grime before a polish application.  In between good cleans I use waterless polish, easy to apply and buff up.

Kevin   I bet, I use various oils for the worktops and a pig to get off anything it gets on and skins over, that must of being almost old school gloss without the white…
Paul, actually that’s a fair shout, I wonder if all these new liquid stuff is much different from shoe polish.yes used to use that greased lightning in the old caravan days, just always a bit dubious of not washing it first, ours always looks like it’s been rallying by the time we get to 1st site.
Cheers Sheppy
Cheers Sheppy

I was a taxi driver before I retired and used waterless polish while waiting for corporate clients at airports, could do entire car in under 20 minutes, was always complimented on the cars cleanliness.  Now I hate cleaning the car and the van , so the quicker the better.

Autoglym Bumper & Trim Gel 500ml Restore Revives Colour Car Valeting Plastic
Purchased off Ebay. ( sorry can't copy and paste link)

Lasts very well on ours.
Ex chauffeur here, RR & Bentley etc. Used to enjoy cleaning the things " every day". But then I was being paid to do it.
Now I like to keep the van smart but "life is to short". Once a year polish with Mer polish ( blue bottle lasts years 1lt)
Then one cap full in washing bucket, every time you wash the van.

My theory now is....don't clean van before adventure trip, then the weather will be kind for you.
Clean van like mad before trip and it will rain like mad before you get 10 miles up the road.

Like most here I've used hard, soft and liquid wax but I've chucked all that away and just use cheap car shampoo followed by Autoglym ceramic polish, lasts ages and water just beads away - not sure if it works on black trim as I don't have any.  As usual, read the instructions.  
Rich..

Used to use standard autoglym, shampoo, polish and top coat. This year changed to Autoglym Polar series, snow foam, shampoo, polish. Getting good results on all our vehicles for minimum effort, great advantage with advancing years

Cheers guys
Just been to the van actually and the plastic trim more grey than a good black or it’s tired already
Looks like some autoglym trim gel and try some of that ceramic polish every couple of washes just to see over winter at least.
Cheers Sheppy

I use normal car shampoo for everything.  I wash the alloys with a tooth brush and sponge every month after a trip so about 12 times per year.  I wash the front, back and sides nearly as often and the roof probably half as often.  I only use polish and other potions to remove stubborn marks.  I find this keeps the van pretty clean.

For any black plastic, just dip a rag in diesel and wipe it. Comes up just like new but shinier. And smells nice. Remember chaps, that Diesel is a lady's perfume so don't accept any complaints about the smell.
Works for tyres as well. Just don't go round corners too fast.

Diesel fuel on tyres is a really bad idea as it takes out the plasticisers and damages the tyre wall - its very unsafe - with enough exposure it could make the tyre wall collapse. If you want to clean the tyre walls use a proper tyre wall black. Diesel fuel also damages vinyl trim so I'd suggest not to use it on the trim if you want it to last.

Standard oils and grease are very damaging to natural rubber.

The best thing I have found so far for the plastic trim is [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] best done on a dry day with a couple of dry days after, if that is possible this year!! Keep the rag you use in a plastic bag to rub out any streaks after rain. My previous Peugeot van was a pain, the plastic parts were all different shades, the Fiat is a lot better.

Tim

I am thinking of actually spraying my bumper with a textured black spray paint

Having also been round all the normal tryouts for bodywork on my panel van I have stuck with demon shine. Never found anything easier to apply,spray onto wet washed van and dry off with micro fibre,job done.

Those responses sound as if you thought I was serious!

KDC what about the black plastic. Kevin

Kevin ….Not yet needing serious attention but go over plastic at same time as bodywork with demon shine, no ill effects.

Thanks, next time I am up near you and your home I will call in and say  hello we have friend's that live 2 up from you be nice to put a face to a name. Kevin

The best product I've found for the wheel is Bilt Hammer wheel cleaner. I used to use Autoglynm but found that the Bilt Hammer is much better and easier to use. It turns purple as it dissolved the metal deposits from the brake pads and washes off easily. Fast and a lot better value than any alternative I've ever found because it actually works even on the hard to remove baked on brake dust thats attacked the wheels. It appears to be made in the UK by a firm based in Chelmsford.