Good wax for Barcelona Red?
- Thread starter RobS10
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BadTrainDriver
New member
Gyeon Wet Coat.
Google it.
It is the easiest, longest lasting, spritz on and spray off "coating" that I've ever used.
Shine is amazing!!!
Waxing by hand is old school...
Google it.
It is the easiest, longest lasting, spritz on and spray off "coating" that I've ever used.
Shine is amazing!!!
Waxing by hand is old school...
Too Stroked
Member
I've detailed vehicles for over 25 years out of my home. I just retired last year as the lead detailer at a medium sized Toyota dealership. That said, I've been there and done that with Barcelona Red and just about any other Toyota color.
First off, congratulations on your new T4R. Barcelona Red is one of the sexiest colors available on a T4R - and it's also fairly easy to take care of. Your desire to protect it immediately is admirable. Here are a few things you might want to think about.
1) Protecting your paint is only half the battle. The other half is not doing things that will damage your paint. How you wash and dry your vehicle is right on top of the list. Lots of good information on what to do (and not do) on places like Autogeek.com.
2) For protection, you basically have three choices: 1) Traditional wax, 2) Synthetic sealants, and 3) Ceramic coatings. Wax is the least expensive, but doesn't last very long. Figure a couple of months tops. My favorite is still Collonite 845. Sealants last longer, and go on / come off easier. Figure 3-4 months tops. My favorite is still Menzerna / Jescar Power Lock. Ceramic coatings are the most expensive, but properly applied, last much, much longer. They also provide a much richer / deeper shine. A good, professionally applied coating can last years. BTW: Do not fall for the "spray on / wash off "ceramic coatings. They look great - for about 2 weeks.
I could go on for hours on this topic, but I'll stop here. Hope that helps.
RobS10
Member
Thanks Stoked! I always hose my truck off before the soapy brush/mitt/sponge touches it and let it blow dry by driving it a little, but used to use a chamois. But in the last few years we've been driving older vehicles who's paint wasn't worth the time and effort to wax.
What's the difference between a sealant and wax?
Is the ceramic coating that's worth a s**t the kind a shop puts on, costing hundreds of dollars?
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Ceramic is all in the prep. There's a YouTube channel that tests all the common one's over a year or two. Worth a watch.
Humble Leader
Senior Member
I'm no pro detailer but I am meticulous about keeping my vehicles looking as good as can be
I've used meguiars paste wax after a good wash for a few years now. I recently purchased the new turtle wax graphene to give that a try as well. don't forget to touch up any stone chips too. a clear bra might be a worthwhile investment too. had mine from toyota for 10 years, no yellowing or peeling. can hardly tell it is there
I've used meguiars paste wax after a good wash for a few years now. I recently purchased the new turtle wax graphene to give that a try as well. don't forget to touch up any stone chips too. a clear bra might be a worthwhile investment too. had mine from toyota for 10 years, no yellowing or peeling. can hardly tell it is there
RobS10
Member
When you say bra, do you mean the paint protection film?
Too Stroked
Member
Let me see if I can answer all of your (good) questions. First, the difference between a wax and a sealant is that waxes are (generally speaking) carnauba based. Sealants are polymers. Many folks think waxes give a "warmer looking" shine while synthetic sealants give a "Saran Wrap" looking shine. Personal preference there. Personally, I'll take easier to apply and lasts longer - which is the sealants.
Your washing routine is not bad, but I'd recommend the "two bucket method" (Google it) and ditch the chamois for some high-quality microfiber towels. I'd also dump the brush and sponges for anything but wheels and use nothing but microfiber mitts on any painted surfaces.
Finally, the only ceramic coatings I recommend are applied by professional detailers and yes, they cost quite a bit. As somebody else has said, the biggest component of a professionally applied coating is the hours of prep work required to coat a vehicle correctly. Done correctly by a competent detailer, they look awesome and last years.
I recently lost a potential customer when I quoted him almost a thousand dollars to correct and coat his vehicle. (It was a roach.) He laughed and said he could buy the coating at Walmart for $3.99 a bottle and do it himself in less than an hour. I wished him well. (At least he was a happy idiot.)
RobS10
Member
Thanks for the advice on what not to use.
I'll call the local, highly recommended detailer here and get a quote and see if ceramic is in our budget.
LOL on your Walmart shopper! I love people that assume they can do something a Professional does for 4 bucks!
What do you think of the Suntec self-healing film for the leading edge of the hood, mirrors and bumper?
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Too Stroked
Member
Although I don't have any personal experience with that particular product, I'm assuming it's a paint Protection Film (PPF). That said, generally speaking, those products work pretty well if applied properly. Again, not cheap though.
RobS10
Member
Correct, it's a type of PPF.
Humble Leader
Senior Member
yes I think it's the 3M brand that toyota uses
RobS10
Member
Is that all applied by the local dealers, or at the port?
I'm not a professional detailer either, but have been using Zaino products for years now, and am very happy with the results. It's all mail order, and first application can take the better part of a day, but I think the feel and shine are worth it. I've also had good luck with the Griot's garage equipment, and some of their products.
BadTrainDriver
New member
Gyeon WetCoat. $19 delivered from Amazon, and one bottle will coat a 4Runner a half a dozen times. Glass, paint, and wheels safe. It takes five minutes to apply it once every 3-4 months. It literally doesn't get easier than that. If you won't trust my opinion, research it. Tons of professional detailers use and recommend it.
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My 4R is Classic Silver, but here is what I have been using for mine with what I feel are good long lasting results. Would love some opinions as I have no professional experience, but always took great care of my vehicles and detailed them when I could.
- Hose down vehicle well
- Wash with very soapy Meguiar's Gold Class Wash and Microfiber mitt. I use a different MF mitt for the wheels
- Air dry with leaf blower and then a Meguiar's water magnet microfiber towel that I wash after every use. Let air dry for a bit and pull into garage.
- Coat of Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Sealant with orbital buffer and MF pad.
- Coat of Car Guys Liquid Wax with supplied foam pad by hand. Let dry for a few hours and remove with the MF towel Car Guys supplied.
- For the Softex seats I just got Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner and Conditioner and it is awesome (cleans great, seats have a nice soft feel, and smells amazing). Invisible glass for the windows, Armor all for the dash, but that leather cleaner I found works great too.
Looking forward to doing it again when it warms up a bit more and get the final road salt off the car from the winter.
- Hose down vehicle well
- Wash with very soapy Meguiar's Gold Class Wash and Microfiber mitt. I use a different MF mitt for the wheels
- Air dry with leaf blower and then a Meguiar's water magnet microfiber towel that I wash after every use. Let air dry for a bit and pull into garage.
- Coat of Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Sealant with orbital buffer and MF pad.
- Coat of Car Guys Liquid Wax with supplied foam pad by hand. Let dry for a few hours and remove with the MF towel Car Guys supplied.
- For the Softex seats I just got Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner and Conditioner and it is awesome (cleans great, seats have a nice soft feel, and smells amazing). Invisible glass for the windows, Armor all for the dash, but that leather cleaner I found works great too.
Looking forward to doing it again when it warms up a bit more and get the final road salt off the car from the winter.
RobS10
Member
Sounds like a great routine, thanks!
Humble Leader
Senior Member
I'm not sure where mine was installed. ask your dealer for the genuine ppf they can probably install it if they have a detailer
I have had Red trucks and white trucks and blue trucks but never a black truck ( Black is not a color its a hobby)
That said, For the last 28 years I have used a product that I found at a boat show in Los Angeles. " Driven to Perfection" they make a full line of auto and boat detailing products. its a polymer type polish that works well.
I also use the marine polish on my 30 year old boat and it still looks new.
You can get it at amazon or from there web site.
This is one of those guys that started out small and has expanded into a full product line. Its not cheap but I have tried all the big brands and this beats them all.
That said, For the last 28 years I have used a product that I found at a boat show in Los Angeles. " Driven to Perfection" they make a full line of auto and boat detailing products. its a polymer type polish that works well.
I also use the marine polish on my 30 year old boat and it still looks new.
You can get it at amazon or from there web site.
This is one of those guys that started out small and has expanded into a full product line. Its not cheap but I have tried all the big brands and this beats them all.
