When is it OK to wash a new truck?

I've heard the paint needs to cure so not to wax and seal for the first 30 days but I want to get some pollen and dirt off, is it OK to just rinse and shampoo? Just bought the truck last week

 

You should be fine to wash a truck even after picking it up from a painter. Even if you custom ordered the truck the paint on it's likely been cured before it ever left the plant so you should be able to wax/sealant/coat now.

 

When the build date on your truck? Most likely was built, then off to "Port" for any port-installed goodies (added profit margin for your region & dealer). By the time it's offloaded at the dealership, it's a month old.

I use Meguiar's spot detailers & microfiber cloth for bird poop. Don't let it sit on the finish any longer than necessary.

 

Wash away. More than likely it got washed on the dealer lot at some point. Regardless the paint was cured out at the factory.

 

My childhood best friend and his brother own and run a body shop that their dad started. I’ve been hanging around that shop for 35 years. They wash every car they paint after they take off all the masking paper and tape before giving it back to the customer. They do tell the customers not to wax the new paint for about a month.

 

That doesn’t apply to factory paint jobs. You have to remember the paint is already applied and baked on, then the vehicle is put together. This process allows them to bake the paint at a higher temp than a body shop.

 

True, I’m just saying it’s perfectly fine to wash it.

 

but you are spot on about body shop work. Last time I had anything done, the shop told me 90 days. Sure it varies by shop.

 

What painter's and bodyshops mean is off gassing. It gives the paint a chance to breath and harden. You should be good to go for washing and waxing/sealant if your truck is at least 30 days old, but keep in mind the paint on newer vehicles is very "soft" as all new cars use water-based instead of solvent based paints and clears. (Meaning clear scratches relatively easy.) I could tell our 2020 TRDOR 4Runner's Black paint was still pretty soft for a couple months, but most wouldn't notice.

All you need is some high quality microfibers from theragcompany.com (higher the gsm rating equals thicker and softer) and any soap from Walmart or wherever should be fine. Meguiars, Mother's Polish, Turtlewax, ect. Ceramics, graphene and Si02 are the bees knees in the detailing industry now.

I'm partial to Adam's polish. Their blue shampoo and detail spray will give you pretty stellar results and they contain gloss enhancers and Sio2. Adam's H20 Guard and Gloss works exceptionally well too. It's up to you on how much time and money you want to invest. Also, avoid the drive through car washes.

 

Thanks for the reply! I'm looking at that microfiber website you posted and they have a sale atm. Which ones do you reccomend or like using?

 

the eagle edgeless is a popular one. Usually all their products are pretty solid.

 

You might order a variety pack of their microfibers and see which ones you like best for your applications, but...

The eagle edgeless 500 is great for removing wax and sealants
https://theragcompany.com/collections/wax-and-sealant-towels/products/eagle-edgeless-500

These are made by the rag company exclusively for Adams polishes, but are the same thing as the eagle 500 (550gsm vs 500gsm)
https://adamspolishes.com/collectio...roducts/adam-s-borderless-grey-edgeless-towel

I also like the Adams single soft and double soft (more expensive)
https://adamspolishes.com/collectio.../products/adam-s-double-soft-microfiber-towel
https://adamspolishes.com/collectio.../products/adam-s-single-soft-microfiber-towel

For drying I'd recommend any of these
https://theragcompany.com/collections/drying-towels/products/the-liquid8r
https://theragcompany.com/collections/drying-towels/products/the-gauntlet?variant=37726064476343
https://adamspolishes.com/collectio...wels/products/adam-s-ultra-plush-drying-towel (what I use)

For interior:
I use generic microfibers anything 200-300 gsm rated would be fine. I like to use an interior cleaner such as P&S and follow up with 303 aerospace protectant or Adams interior detailer
https://theragcompany.com/collectio...ts/ps-detail-products-xpress-interior-cleaner
https://theragcompany.com/collections/leather-cleaning-towels/products/edgeless-300
https://theragcompany.com/collections/leather-cleaning-towels/products/edgeless-365

And this will help keep the microfibers clean of wax and sealant and fluffed up.
https://theragcompany.com/collections/ps-detail-products/products/ps-detail-products-rags-to-riches

It's basically a laundry detergent designed for microfiber towels. Wash separately (by themselves, don't mix with other laundry) in warm water and dry low or hang to dry. (no dryer sheets) Don't use fabric softeners of any kind as they will clog the microfiber towels and cause streaking if you do.

If you want any recommendations on foam cannons, deionized water tank setups, ect. let me know. I've really gotten into detailing my cars over the last several years and I'm always trying new products searching for perfection.

 

The chances of the truck going from factory -> your dealer in the clean state you bought it in is zero. Regardless of if the truck cured or not when it left the factory (more than likely did cure if Toyota is like any other car company), your dealer definitely washed it after the offload. Probably threw a fat glaze on it too if there were a few scratches

 

The day you bring it home you can clay, polish and wax.

It will look much better than what the summer students at the dealership did to it with their pre delivery car wash.