When and How to Wash?

So I've recently bought my Tacoma (first month or so), and I really want to take good care of it. Coming from an '09 Honda, I kind of beat it up and neglected a lot of things on it, and I'm trying to curb that poor habit as this new truck was a big investment. Living on the coast and coming from an aviation community I know how bad salt water and different contaminates can be on metal surfaces (i.e. corrosion/rust). With that being said, what are your guys' tips for how often I should wash my truck, with what products, and with what techniques?

Thanks!

 

There's is a Detail sub forum, plenty of great info there!

 

Oh sweet! Okay, I didn't see that when I tried searching. I'll look in there for sure.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/detailing.32/

 

I got the filter so I don't have to dry it. I wash it with a pressure washer and chemical
Guys products once / months

 

It rained yesterday, id say I got a couple of months until the next one.

 

The detailing thread has some super detailed and useful info as mentioned, but it gets a little overwhelming.

Here's my basic rules for maintenance washes:

1. Always start with a rinse to get the big (yet invisible to the naked eye) particles off.

2. Use car wash soap and a soft mitt to get the contaminates/dirt to come off. I use Zip brand car wash.

3. Wash in sections from the top down.

4. Rinse the soap off with low pressure. Like a cascade. Power washing will just spray it all over the other parts of your car unless your technique is on point.

5. Try to wash in the shade. Sun dries stuff fast.

6. Immediately dry. I used to use old towels. It works if your towels are old enough to not leave lint. Nowadays I use a chamois in one hand to do the heavy lifting and a microfiber in the other hand to get the streaks left behind.

7. Most people don't dry the inside of their doors... it gets wet and a ton of dust accumulates there. I clean those crannies and weather stripping!

8. I never use chemicals on the inside. If you park in the sun mostly you might think about some sort of dash protection but in my exp, your interior lasts longer if you use a wet rag to wipe off dust. YMMV.

9. Vaccuum!

10. Spray your tires with tire foam if you like that look.

11. Cruise town to show off your clean ride.

 

YouTube chemical guys good videos

 

Also check out pan theorganizer and Larry kosilla who owns Ammo NYC.

what color is your taco??

 

IMHO, you can spend lots on fancy chemicals, or use what works. Water, a bucket, car wash soap, not dishwasher liquid (it will strip your wax) good rags, dry it off and a sealer/wax once a year. Maybe twice since you live by the coast. That about all there is to it. Enjoy the savings, for more accessories!

 

Pretty much some great advice here, post #7 is detailed.

My biggest issue here in the Gulfsouth region is bugs!! Tons of them. I use a tip offered from my mentor, so I start there first and sometimes I do it daily, as a must. The first order of business is to get some warm water (110*) into a hand held container with a little car wash soap. I then hit it with a stream of water to soften things up.

But my secret weapon is to use a used fresh linen fabric softener sheet from a previous cloth wash/dry.

This will knock those buggers off easier than any expensive product I know of for nothing. But you must be sure to use immerse it into the handheld soap container as mentioned above, and the vehicle should be fully wet in the areas windshield included, as it is coarse and if dry could cause microscopic scratches. I've used this for some 20yrs, no scratches ever using it as described.

I then proceed to the wash

The way I do it to be more specific, is that I use two buckets & two thick mitts, one for the cleaner top portion of the vehicle and one for the nastier bottom of vehicle.
I then (after washing) use a third thinner mitt to do the rims and dirty under fender laymen of vehicle. I never have to buy expensive wheel cleaner sprays, only tire shine and my wheels always look as great as the rest of the vehicle.

Hope this helps
Cheers!

 

I hit a brushless car wash for $12 about once a month, vacuum it out, and aerospace 303 it. If I'm feeling fancy I'll hit the tires with shine and if there is something specific like tar or bird shit I'll make sure I get it off and clay bar it.

I'll get it detailed really well including a wax in the late fall so the salt comes off easier.

I've owned, bought, and sold too many cars to know that it makes very little difference when it comes to sell it. So then it's really just "how much you care about your trucks looks?"

I care enough to do the above.

 

Since mine is black, I wash it every week, and use the two bucket method.

I also spray wax almost every wash, between full polish and waxes.

 

I like to use a Leaf Blower after my final rinse, gets most of the heavy and trapped water off and lessens the chance of scratches.

 

I do this too. I use it to get the water out of the scoop and all the trim. Then I water blade the bulk of the rest. Then microfiber to finish.

 

I do the same damn thing
Less you touch your paint the less scratches

 

Hire a midget with a fur coat. Apply soap to coat and spray with water. Have midget spin as he walks around truck. Rinse and dry with microfiber

 

Wow! Thanks for the huge turnout, and all the advice everyone. Much appreciated!

And I've got a Grey TRD Sport!

 

Two bucket wash is the best way to avoid scratches - I usually do that during an OCD super TI wash once every 2 months. Waxing regularly also helps with those bad particles not sticking to the car. I've been using Meguire's Ultimate Liquid Wax lately because water beads off it for a while, and it's hella easy to wipe off.

 

Watch these

https://adamspolishes.com/video

A friend of mine was way into his stuff and basically made me a convert. I have been super happy thus far.