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Would you put 28 hours into detailing your Tacoma?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by kiteboarder, May 21, 2013.

  1. May 21, 2013 at 10:11 AM
    #1
    kiteboarder

    kiteboarder [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I recently decided to put to the test all the wealth of car detailing knowledge I've been gathering over the last few years. Given I finally bought a new 2013 Tacoma earlier this year (after having been a member of Tacoma World for like 3-4 years!) I decided it would be the best canvas to work on.

    So basically, the entire detailing job took 28-hours and the results were outstanding.

    I wrote a full article about it on my blog. Note, it's 4,000 words long, so make sure you have food & drink before you start reading. :D

    This is it... Let me know your thoughts.

    Ultimate 28-Hour New Car Detailing – RallyWays Toyota Tacoma TRD
     
  2. May 21, 2013 at 10:44 AM
    #2
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    Good job.
    I don't have 28 hours to put into a job like that at one time, but I like to spread it out over several week-ends. Engine bay cleaning one week, body the next, inside the next etc. That way it all gets done eventually, but only takes a few hours every time.
    I have even cleaned and waxed my chassis, drive shaft and oil pans one Saturday just because everything else had been cleaned and waxed already the previous weeks.
     
  3. May 21, 2013 at 11:05 AM
    #3
    hillbillynwv

    hillbillynwv Well-Known Member

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    Just read the blog......I'm getting too old to do that much rubbing on a truck......I wouldn't been able to use my arms the next morning. But, if I ever hit the lotto and buy a Lambo I'm letting you detail it!
     
  4. May 21, 2013 at 11:10 AM
    #4
    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    Wow, what a great write up! +1 and I will be putting this much time into detailing my truck.
     
  5. May 21, 2013 at 11:10 AM
    #5
    kiteboarder

    kiteboarder [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's how some of my friends do it. In fact, it's probably a better way because you can take more time on each section and end with an overall better result. This is specially good for daily drivers and cars that you are not actually showing (at a car show for example).

    But if you are attending a show, which is what the techniques I wrote about in the article are mostly based on, then you have to do it all at once. Or you have to be able to not drive the car for 2 weeks while you work on it, so that you can do it all in parts without getting it dirty again before you are done.

    Haha. I'll hold you to that. I'm looking forward to detailing a Lambo or a Ferrari soon. :)
     
  6. May 21, 2013 at 11:14 AM
    #6
    kiteboarder

    kiteboarder [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you. Some people will argue with, "It's a truck! Why would you want to make it so pretty? It's meant to be dirty"

    In which case, they have missed the point of the write up.

    This can be applied to any car. And even if it's a truck that will be getting dirty, at least it'll be protected and easier to wash after you're done getting it dirty.
     
  7. May 21, 2013 at 11:17 AM
    #7
    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    The way I look at it, I paid a lot of money for my truck and keeping it new and clean is something that I like. I don't wheel my truck much. Hell when I wash my truck I always get on a creeper and power wash under it. My buddy asked me why and I said "It's dirty, why not?".. I enjoy a clean ride.
     
  8. May 21, 2013 at 11:59 AM
    #8
    127.0.0.1

    127.0.0.1 AKA ::1

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    no way

    I paid over 36,000 for a 4runner limited in 1998 and have yet to wash it once,
    still going at 220,000+ miles...

    think of all the trees I have hugged since then :anonymous:


    my 2013 trucky gets an occasional no-touch wash that is all.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2013
  9. May 21, 2013 at 12:01 PM
    #9
    somethinboutayota

    somethinboutayota Dorthy left Kansas for a reason

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    Hell no since i work on the farm... that would be a waste of time, i have about an inch of dirt on my dash about 24/7
     
  10. May 21, 2013 at 12:07 PM
    #10
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    I hardly have time to shit and eat each day. And I cannot garage my truck at my current house. My detailed program: wash every couple months, wax and vac ~2x year, clean glass when interior smut appears, park far away from others to minimize door dings.
     
  11. May 21, 2013 at 12:08 PM
    #11
    Anteupp

    Anteupp Mega Member

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    never, I barely spend 15 min washing my truck when i do.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2013
  12. May 21, 2013 at 12:13 PM
    #12
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I wash my truck regularly and will detail it twice a year (usually spend 6-8 hours each time). No way I'd spend that much time detailing my truck. It's a daily driver to me, not a show truck.
     
  13. May 21, 2013 at 12:40 PM
    #13
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

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    I haven't even spent 28 hour modding my Taco.
    Lift, sliders, skids & some extra lights for now. Finish CB & OBA with 5 gallon tank is still on my to do list.
    My Taco has never been detailed & never will!
    Wash, wax, wipe & vac from time to time is all is all it ever needs.
     
  14. May 21, 2013 at 12:46 PM
    #14
    RearViewMirror

    RearViewMirror Saw things so much clearer once you... were in my

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    Good write up! I haven't spent 28 hours in one time detailing my truck but I do spend plenty of time keeping it clean. If it rains I rinse mine off (top and underneath) as soon as I get home or at work even in the rain. Makes it much easier to clean when you do get to wash it. I'm pretty OCD when it comes to the way that I take care of things. I use a lot of the same products that you use and I got turned onto the 303 products on this site a while back. That shit is awesome! At least once a month I crawl underneath my truck and start at the front with cleaner and move all the way to the back. The underneath of my truck is as clean as the top. This is important to me for a couple of reasons. First... I just like it to be clean. Second and more importantly, I can check for any signs of any problems that need to be addressed (leaks, etc...). The more I am underneath my vehicles the more I am likely to notice something out of the ordinary should something come up.

    I used to show cars so I suppose that has carried over into my daily drivers even though I don't show them anymore. But I get comments all the time about how nice my truck and car look.

    I've got the time so why not? ;)


    Picture I took when I shortened the exhaust but it gives you an idea of how I like to keep things relatively clean

    DSC_0330_82ed0151ab073dab2daf740007d16d550dab2f30.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2013
  15. May 21, 2013 at 1:01 PM
    #15
    yesmar

    yesmar Well-Known Member

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    I've sank more then 28 hours into detailing one of my cars before. Would I do it again? yeah, I enjoy it. Would I do it to the Tacoma? heck no. Its a truck, its my daily driver, it sees off road use, it sees messy jobs, and it lives out side. I love It, its the best tool I have ever owned. For what it is and how often I use it, a good old hand wash and dry, quick wax once or twice a year and I'm satisfied. ... often power wash underneath for peace at mind
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2013
  16. May 21, 2013 at 1:23 PM
    #16
    Clubs

    Clubs Member

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    That looks great! I don't think I could ever commit to that sort of cleaning schedule. Certainly a lot of good info in that blog though so thank you for sharing.

    I am curious about the comment you made about removing the mud flaps. I would imagine after all the work you just went through with the detail job you would be pretty upset to find a few rock dings that could have been prevented if you left the flaps on.

    Also, now that you went through all the work are you happy with the products you used and their performance? Are there any changes you think you might make for the next time?
     
  17. May 21, 2013 at 1:45 PM
    #17
    TRDsport253

    TRDsport253 Well-Known Member

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    Nice write up. I really need to detail my truck.
     
  18. May 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM
    #18
    sportsguy

    sportsguy searchgeek

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    Um, no offence, but you missed a spot...
     
  19. May 21, 2013 at 2:20 PM
    #19
    utahskierdave

    utahskierdave Well-Known Member

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    Wow...I love keeping my truck clean....but I can only dream of having it this clean. Nice work!:thumbsup:
     
  20. May 21, 2013 at 2:36 PM
    #20
    Tao Zero

    Tao Zero Well-Known Member

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    Yes, yes I would. Funny cause I have the exact same truck (year/model/color). I skipped the sealant this time but will apply next round. This time only sonnus ultra fine clay/Clearkote moose wax. Back when I had my 04 Silver Tacoma I put 5 layers of sealant topped with Carnuba. It looked like it was dipped in oil.

    I find it theraputic. Turn up the radio on the garage, stay up late waxing.
     

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