fit_of_vanity
New member
How am I going to clean the top part of the 4R?? If I stood on the running boards I'd only be able to get the sides... so the front and middle would still be dirty. How can I get all the top clean?
I'm short...
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The facetious answer is that you need to get a tall boyfriend. Tell him that if he does a good job of washing your truck you may consider letting him drive it.
Or, you could buy one of these and perhaps use a step ladder:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1001&SKU=10220
If you don't want to spend that much money then perhaps this:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1001&SKU=92567
Or, you could buy one of these and perhaps use a step ladder:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1001&SKU=10220
If you don't want to spend that much money then perhaps this:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1001&SKU=92567
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tkr128
New member
Check out this thread.
fit_of_vanity
New member
Also this is the first time I've ever washed a car/anything so is there anything I should avoid? Like any kind of chemical, ingredient whatever in products? I'm looking forward to washing it cause I can get some sun while I'm at it. :too cool:
A number of people like Mequiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash:
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_list.cfm?store=meg&line=auto&catagory=1&subcatagory=1
and it is inexpensive and widely available.
If you really want to do something nice for your truck then you should apply a "wax". I don't think the paint has been waxed as it comes from the factory. You can use either a traditional carnuba wax such as Griot's
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1005&SKU=11171
or a synthetic polymer such as Zaino's
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Zaino
Both of these types of paint protectant are also available from local stores, Mequiars makes both carnuba waxes and synthetic polymer types of paint protectant:
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_list.cfm?store=meg&line=auto&catagory=1&subcatagory=4
http://www.meguiars.com/DealerLocator/DealerLocator_template.cfm
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_list.cfm?store=meg&line=auto&catagory=1&subcatagory=1
and it is inexpensive and widely available.
If you really want to do something nice for your truck then you should apply a "wax". I don't think the paint has been waxed as it comes from the factory. You can use either a traditional carnuba wax such as Griot's
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1005&SKU=11171
or a synthetic polymer such as Zaino's
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Zaino
Both of these types of paint protectant are also available from local stores, Mequiars makes both carnuba waxes and synthetic polymer types of paint protectant:
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_list.cfm?store=meg&line=auto&catagory=1&subcatagory=4
http://www.meguiars.com/DealerLocator/DealerLocator_template.cfm
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First of all, wash in the shade. The sun causes the metal to heat up rapidly and you can wind up with spots as the water dries.fit_of_vanity said:
Use a car wash detergent (lots of good brands)...some folks will tell you to use liquid dishwashing detergent, but don't do it! It will strip all wax off the truck. Use it just before you really wax it.
There are several good threads in this sub-forum to give you cleaning and weaxing information. One particularly good thread is http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1045
fit_of_vanity
New member
I found some stuff that called wax as you dry. I couldn't find any kind of polish so I just didn't bother looking at all the other waxes. Is this wax as you dry thing okay to use or should I not even try?
Personally, I've never used it. The last brand I used from a store was Meguiar's -- pretty good stuff. Then I found Zaino's -- expensive initially, but well worth it. Other members here swear by Griot's.fit_of_vanity said:
Look at the posts, too, about claying the truck. Well worth the time to do the first wash and wax properly. Wish I had known about claying years ago.
Be careful that you understand the 2 different meanings of the term "polish". People will often use the term "polish" as in "I am going to polish my car" when they really mean that they are going to apply a protective coating of wax or synthetic polymer to the car. This use of the term polish is not really correct. Strictly speaking, a polish is an abrasive substance that is used to remove fine scratches and oxidation from the paint by removing a layer of paint. While it is fine to "wax" your truck frequently you only want to "polish" your truck rarely.
fit_of_vanity
New member
dcampen said:
Well this would be the first time I would polish it. I heard/read/whatever that you shouldn't wax if you don't polish it. So.. since I didn't find any polish, I didn't look for any wax. Am I correct now? Or am I still missing something? LoL
I don't think that there is any reason to use polishing compound on your new paint - does it have swirl marks or other scratches? At most you might want to clean it with a clay bar before waxing.
http://www.meguiars.com/faq/_index.cfm?faqCat=Paint Care&faqQuestionID=46§ion=_46#_46
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tkr128
New member
You can use a light polish on new paint and then wax it, but it isn't really necessary depending on your paint condition.
Here are two detail-oriented sites that are very helpful:
Autopia
Detail City
The information might be overwhelming at first, but there's a lot of good stuff about how to take care of your paint. Good luck and have fun!
Here are two detail-oriented sites that are very helpful:
Autopia
Detail City
The information might be overwhelming at first, but there's a lot of good stuff about how to take care of your paint. Good luck and have fun!
fit_of_vanity
New member
Oops..
I hate being a nieve (spelling??) teenager.
But it's half my mom's fault.. I feel bad for saying that. LoL.
You can buff out those scratch looking things right? hehe
I hate being a nieve (spelling??) teenager.
But it's half my mom's fault.. I feel bad for saying that. LoL.
You can buff out those scratch looking things right? hehe
