Car Wash Products

[Mudhorn]

For those that clean your Runner, what products are you using?

I saw some old threads, but didn’t see any good answers. I did see a video of someone using an aerosol can that sprayed a white foam on the car. It looked very effective, but I could not figure out the brand.

 

[18 trd off road]

I use Adams polishes and love all of there products

 

[JsinLegacy]

Chemical Guys, Adams, Dr. Beasley

All are good products. Although Beasley's is on the high side I feel.

 

[foxtrot]

another vote for adams polishes. their stuff is top notch, and their customer service is awesome too.

 

[Edison_chen]

I just purchased the Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating. I can’t wait to try it with CG Jet Seal once the weather gets warmer.

 

[jhguth]

sometimes when i'm feeling fancy i pay for the second to cheapest drive through car wash instead of the cheapest one

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

sometimes when i'm feeling fancy i pay for the second to cheapest drive through car wash instead of the cheapest one

Not a bad way to go about it. I'm not a fan of machine operated washes because it'd destroy my paint over time since I have Modesta coating added to the entire body and my wheels. There's just something about handwashing your baby while drinking beer that always makes you feel good in the end when you see how clean your baby is

 

[weezykid]

Meguiars Ultimate Paste wax about every 6 months. Meguiars gold soap and then Meguiars D15601 Ultimate spray wax after I towel dry it. For the interior and tires, I use 303 Protectant.

 

[MSRP.]

The actual car wash soap doesn't matter a whole lot.
Two bucket washes/foam cannons if you wish
Claybar/claymit/claytowels
Machine polishing is the most significant change (optional on off road vehicle)
Wax/Sealant: I recommend any si02 "hybrid ceramic" coatings. You can now buy one from Turtle Wax/Meguiars/Mothers at most Walmarts, and that's what I would recommend. Same (or more) durability as the best "old school" waxes, on par with old school sealants, but with 90% less effort when you "spray and rinse off" to apply. $13-25. One bottle will last a few years if you apply 2-3x a year.

Ignore the $100-1000 ceramic coatings unless it's a garage queen. Obtain 90% of the results, in 90% less time, at a microscopic fraction of the price. More than sufficient for 99% of the general population.

 

[jhguth]

Not a bad way to go about it. I'm not a fan of machine operated washes because it'd destroy my paint over time since I have Modesta coating added to the entire body and my wheels. There's just something about handwashing your baby while drinking beer that always makes you feel good in the end when you see how clean your baby is

luckily all the linear pinstripe scratches from trails really breakup any micro-scratches and makes them hard to notice

 

[Charlievee]

Purple power straight for the undercarriage and engine. 50/50 for the rest. Stupid cheap and can find it anyplace. Its not ph balanced, so it cleans dirt. 70% alcohol and Lava soap makes short work of water spots on the glass and prevents them for a few weeks. Getting ready to do a full paint correction and ceramic myself. Everthings ordered, but won't have the time to set aside for two weeks.

I've also been rocking the three wash mitt method. Once used, they get set aside. Never go back in the wash bucket.

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

You’d be better off going to AutoGeek and doing some reading, then making your own informed choice. They have a ton of info/write-ups there as well as reviews.

 

[patkelly4370]

Fresh oil organic rainwater whenever God thinks my 4runner needs it.
I protect the paint from the Arizona sun with a layer of Arizona dirt.
If I lived in a city or town, with paved roads, it might be different.
If we take it on a road trip I may run it through a car wash when we get to our destination. Maybe.
It rained while I was parked at work in town. Truck looked purdy. Got home and took this photo

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[MSRP.]

Purple power straight for the undercarriage and engine. 50/50 for the rest. Stupid cheap and can find it anyplace. Its not ph balanced, so it cleans dirt. 70% alcohol and Lava soap makes short work of water spots on the glass and prevents them for a few weeks. Getting ready to do a full paint correction and ceramic myself. Everthings ordered, but won't have the time to set aside for two weeks.

I've also been rocking the three wash mitt method. Once used, they get set aside. Never go back in the wash bucket.

I respect that type of dedication on a 4Runner, I really do, but you're probably better off washing with a rinseless wash and microfibers at that point instead of binning 1+ washmitt per wash.

If dirty enough, I presume you are powerwashing off most of the dirt before even touching the paint.

Rinseless washes are really made out of voodoo magic, but they're well regarded with respect to not imparting new swirls into paint.

 

[Charlievee]

I respect that type of dedication on a 4Runner, I really do, but you're probably better off washing with a rinseless wash and microfibers at that point instead of binning 1+ washmitt per wash.

If dirty enough, I presume you are powerwashing off most of the dirt before even touching the paint.

Rinseless washes are really made out of voodoo magic, but they're well regarded with respect to not imparting new swirls into paint.

Full foam presoak, pressure rinsed and the mitts get cleaned and used again.

 

[flynap]

Optimum No Rinse.
3-5 costco gold microfibers and 1 clean ONR/distilled water bucket.
1-2 plush microfibers for drying.

Fold the ONR towel into quarters. Turn to a clean side frequently.
Set aside the dirty towels as you use them.

Pre-rinse with spotless at the quarter car wash if needed.

Wish I had found the microfiber and no-rinse technique sooner.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

Pressure washer 25-deg nozzle - rinse truck.
Use a 10:1 citrus all purpose cleaner from CG on tires and wheels, scrub with wheel brush.
Rinse each wheel/tire + spare.
Foam cannon with 3-4 oz of honeydew snowfoam.
Use two wash mits one for the top of the truck, one for the bottom half of the truck.
Rinse with power washer.
While I'm at it power wash out the mits on the sliders.
Use air hose or leaf blower to get some of the remaining water off.
For sealant/drying aid, I use P&S Bead Maker and 4-5 costco microfiber towels with the tags ripped off.
Usually start with the hood-roof-front-diver-rear-passenger.
Spray on panel, wipe off with one mf towel, then use a clean mf to level it off or "polish" if needed.
For tires, I use this as a tire dressing as it leaves the tire looking new without the "wet" shiny bro-look. Spray on tires, let sit while I dry the truck and wipe clean with a damp throw-away towel.
Interior I use 303. I use the same thing to refresh exterior plastics when they look tired.

I debate paint correction all the time, but its an off-road truck, so its not worth the effort most of the time.

 

[jrandom]

For tires, I use this as a tire dressing as it leaves the tire looking new without the "wet" shiny bro-look. Spray on tires, let sit while I dry the truck and wipe clean with a damp throw-away towel.

I'll give a bottle of this swag a hot.

I have been looking for a good matte rubber protectant ever since the Einszett/1Z factory burned to the ground. I have one bottle left of there old formula Vinyl-Rubber protectant. Man, Utah sun trashes plastics/trim/rubber.

 

[chester4Run]

I use chemical guys brand from amazon. Works well, inexpensive, and readily available. Their wax sealant is really easy to use too...on trucks, gas grills, stainless appliances, shower doors...

 

[EZBR.]

anyone ever use Aero Cosmetics wash wax all?

I like the idea of after washing the vehicle, while wet, spray the stuff on and dry it.