How do you clean your 5th gen 4runner?

I used to wash my BMW all the time (the first, and probably last, car I bought brand new).

With the 4runner, I feel so much better letting it sit for long periods of time....it's a 4runner, not a sports car, so a little bit of dirt doesn't bother me.

I do make a point a point of giving a thorough cleaning at least once every 3 months...and I try to clay bar and wax it at least twice a year. But outside of that, I don't do much, which is nice, because cleaning the BMW once every 2-3 weeks got old real quick.
 
I don't use a 2 bucket method but I rinse the rag/sponge before it goes back into the bucket. I feel an important area to get is the rear wheel wells. If you do any kind of mudding or winter driving reach up into that panel and there is a little "shelf" for dirt to accumulate. Need to rinse this area well with a garden hose, pressure washer is too big to get in there. Important on winter treated roads to rinse that area well in the spring.
 
I use a Hotsy



It is a pressure washer that heats the water. Hot water pulls off mud MUCH easier than cold water. Works like a charm
 
I like my black T4R.
So,keeping it clean is a hobby. :D

Sometimes I will use a high pressure spray wash to knock the heavy stuff off, but I never use automatic car washes with brushes!
We don't have any brushless car washes around here anymore, so I wash it by hand.

I use

after I was turned on to them by my Toyota Tech that also does my detailing to keep my 4Runner coating up to par. I work near several plants, so twice a year I take it to him to wash, clay, paint correction to remove any swirls and coat with quartz or another protective coating.

Washing it I use 2 buckets,
Adam's 10" Car Wash Pad (synthetic wool to ensure washing without introducing new swirls )
Adam's Car Wash Shampoo
Adam's Detail Spray
Adam's Great White Microfiber Drying Towels


Tires & Wheels
Adam's All Purpose Cleaner
Adam's Turbo Stick Wheel Cleaning Tool (tool to help you clean your barrel with ease)
 

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Typically in the summer I wash it once a week. I do it even when it doesn't necessarily need it since its nice out and I enjoy being on my feet as my job keeps me in an office behind a desk all day. In the winter I take it to a hand wash place that specializes in detailing but for $25 they do a quick old fashioned wash, as they call it. If I do detail it, I put my 10x10 tent over it or wait till about 3pm to start as its usually in the shade at my house by then. IMO, you shouldn't need to clay it more than twice a year.
 
Is blizzard pearl really hard to clean? I saw a Limited in blizzard pearl and I am in love <3 <3 <3 Also, how often should you wash a car in the winter when theres salt on the roads?
 
Optimum No Rinse. 2 bucket method with grit guard. Was using Big Blue Soonge but have moved back to microfibre mit (shaggy ones). Was doing this weekly but the last year is maybe bi-weekly. Once the snow and ice and slush hits the ground, ONR in the garage once a month with do it yourself high pressure spray washes once or twice per week.

Optimum spray wax in spring and fall. The front end might see an additional summer wax if I've been on multiple bug infested road trips.

Meguiars or Mothers Clay bar every spring before wax. Clay bar in fall if necessary.
 
Just a tip- Costco has really good deals on car cleaning gear. Huge jug of meguiars soap, and huge pack of micro fiber towels and you're all set.
 
i try to give it a super thorough hand wash and wax twice a year; spring and fall. Collinite 845 wax, Klasse AIO maybe, clay bar maybe.

otherwise mostly just high-pressure spray at self-serve bay; more frequently in winter.

i do think it looks better dirty. keeping it clean is just another necessary part of routine maintenance.
 
1000MPH said:
Clean and wax all you want but please don't drive your 4Runner with shiny tires. :)
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with shiny tires?

EDIT: Ok I see. I use a flat spray on mine. I assume the Shiny meant the greasy shine look that you get when your dealer first delivers your car. I prefer the clean, matte black look myself.
 
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When I traded in my Mazda5 I got complementary life time unlimited free car wash for my 4Runner at the dealer's car wash (and vacuum too). They gave me RF-ID (free pass) the the machine that gives me everything it has (including "wax") except the "extra foam" (whatever it is). I drive my 4Runner through dealer's car wash on my way to work any time I feel like it needs it.

Tap water is very hard in my area (a lot of calcium) so if I hand wash my car I have to dry it with towels otherwise there will be white dots very hard to clean off later. All fences in the area are white from sprinklers. Automated car wash recycles the same water that is free of that "tap-water-crap".
 
I like to wash the mud off after a good trip fishing. I also like to keep the interior clean--
It's a character flaw.


I use Zaino once a year to keep the pinstripes to a minimum, but I've given up on Zaino's soap in favor of Maguires gold. So far so good!

I use a leaf blower to dry it, and my cordless dyson to keep the dog hair and dirt from fishermen and dirty waders/boots in check. I don't use seat covers, and the softex has been amazing to standing up to damp waders.

I'm not fanatical about keeping the exterior clean, but I h8 mud on the underside, and black looks so damn good when it's clean. What can I say??
 
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