wax

[rshea]

I will be buying a 4runner in the late fall of 2008. I live in the north east (road salt).
I was thinking of spraying the under body with wd40 when I first get it. Then in the spring doing a wax job on her. I an leaning towards mothers. Should I remove the factory wax first? Go with mothers , something else? Not afraid to take 2-3 days to do. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

 

[jharris2]

Look through the detailing forum and you'll see lots of good information and lots of opinions. Better to do your research first so you can ask more specific questions.

 

[josh220]

My first question before you choose Mothers, is do you have a lot of dust, pollen, etc where you live?

Carnuba wax attracts it like a magnet. You should research Zaino's on this forum and see what you think. It's pricier though, so if you just want a basic finish on your truck then Mothers will do fine. I don't recommend it if you have a dark colored vehicle though.

 

[wolfgang]

I can't see where WD40 would do much of anything - except maybe start it on fire and destroy rubber bushings. There is a waxy substance that is used for rust proofing that could be used - JC Whitney used to carry (Eastwood probably does too). I used several cans of the black spray on rubberized undercoating where I thought stones would fly up and hit the under carriage. I think you'll find very little wax from the factory - I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[HiImSean]

when ever i washed and waxed my cars i went in this order,
rinse
wash with dawn
rinse
clay bar
rinse
dry
polish

the dawn, or any other dish soap, will remove any old wax or stuff on the surface. the clay bar will remove any dirt particles from the surface that may scratch the paint or give it a grainy feel

i use to use mothers on my old car but then i purchased tropi-care and like it alot better. it gives the car a deeper gloss than mothers did. tropi-care and zaino are a lot alike. some people claim tropi-care looks better on lighter color cars while zaino looks better on darker colored cars. i've never used zaino but on my pewter trans am tropi-care looked amazing.

as for clay baring, they are all the same and i love the mothers kit you can get at most auto part stores.

 

[oilburner]

I use mothers on my stuff. But don't go get the cleaner wax and call it a wax job. Clay bar if you need to. Pre wax cleaner, then sealer and glaze, then carnuba. The sealer and glaze is key to making it pop. When I want a deep, deep gloss, I follow all that up with Mother's FX spray wax. Only takes about 5 minutes to wipe down the whole truck. I would definitely steer clear of dish soap.....Even after rinsing, that soap can still embed itself in very minor imperfections that will break down your wax job from the inside out. And it's also not gentle enough for paint. Car wash soap is formulated to remove dirt from paint and then leave when you rinse it.

 

[dingo]

My new regimen:

- wash / dry
- Mothers claybar
- Klasse AIO polish (acrylic) with Porter Cable 7424 with blue or black CCS pad
- Klasse HGSG sealer (acrylic) 2 coats
- LSP with Pinnacle Souveran wax (carnuba) 2-3 coats for the sacrificial layer and wetness
- Pinnacle Crystal Mist QD for touchups and upkeep after washings
- Griots Speed Shine for in between washes

I want to try Zaino but damn that stuff is expensive. Various products are also highly subjective to different owners so one may not appeal to another. Go with what works best for you.

 

[dingo]

Just finished detailing the SR5 this afternoon. Started yesterday morning with a wash and then full body claying (not so fun). Thank god for the Porter Cable DA 7424 too. Mmmm...Klasse acrylic AIO & HGSG sealer topped of with layers Pinnacle Souveran carnuba...delicious shiny wetness...

 

[AK602]

I have been using Mothers for years. It is still by far one of the best products for the money. I have used it on my black runner for 4 years and it looks showroom.

 

[CannondaleMan]

Just did the 4Runner today with dish soap, then the Zaino line.

Looks better than I have seen other vehicles that I have owned look. Took a lot less time too.

Should be able to post in a few days after I rest a bit from my shift tonight. Ugh.

 

[wizzells]

I've had the best luck with the following combination:

Rinse
Wash with dishsoap
Clay with Mothers claybar kit
polish/glaze with Meguiars #7
Wax with Meguiars #26 paste

This combo seems to work really well on darker colored cars. The #26 wax tends to hold up better than most Ive used and is incredibly easy to apply and remove.

 

[kartl]

Wash it then apply some wax and it will do the job and in addition have your car for a 3 step detailing once a year.
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[jeffs2006]

I have been using colinite fleetwax for years, it lasts and is easy to work with. I get it at west Marine, its expensive, but worth every penny. I haven't found anything better and i've used it All!!! I'm detailer in Naples and i get shipped "new" stuff to try all the time. The only thing that come close is product called "toughguard" it lasts longer and looks better but it needs to be kept in the garage at night and washed weekly. If this is all done i've seen it last 4 years now!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it needs to be taken care of.

jeff

 

[tomhaney1]

I have been using colinite fleetwax for years, it lasts and is easy to work with. I get it at west Marine, its expensive, but worth every penny. I haven't found anything better and i've used it All!!! I'm detailer in Naples and i get shipped "new" stuff to try all the time. The only thing that come close is product called "toughguard" it lasts longer and looks better but it needs to be kept in the garage at night and washed weekly. If this is all done i've seen it last 4 years now!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it needs to be taken care of.

jeff

You can get it on the Ebay for pretty cheap, like 15 dollars. I also use the Collinite 845 Insulator wax which is great here in Las Vegas because it doesn't attract dust like carnauba and it holds up well in the heat.

 

[Odd Eddie]

Does WD-40 destroy rubber bushings? I've never heard that before, but I'm wondering if it's possible.

 

[tomhaney1]

Does WD-40 destroy rubber bushings? I've never heard that before, but I'm wondering if it's possible.

WD-40 is mixed with a petroleum distillate so it will eventually harden and dry the rubber and it will crack. They say it shouldn't do this but time and time again it has proven to do so...

 

[tomhaney1]

I have been using colinite fleetwax for years, it lasts and is easy to work with. I get it at west Marine, its expensive, but worth every penny. I haven't found anything better and i've used it All!!! I'm detailer in Naples and i get shipped "new" stuff to try all the time. The only thing that come close is product called "toughguard" it lasts longer and looks better but it needs to be kept in the garage at night and washed weekly. If this is all done i've seen it last 4 years now!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it needs to be taken care of.

jeff

Jeff, follow this link for the collinite fleetwax. I have purchased from them before and they come through quickly.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...226265634&_trksid=p3984.m106#ebayphotohosting

 

[MikesToy]

I use Meguiar's to detail mine once a month. My ride WILL get dirty anyways within 3 days especially in CO. And when i get lazy especially during winter, i just take it to the Car Detailer Shop and hand them my Meguiars stuff so they can do the elbow work. :lmao: