Proper steps for exterior detailing for someone who doesn't want to spend all day

Hey everyone,

As I am thinking about debadging I've been reading a lot about how people prefer to wash and wax their vehicles after using goo-gone or others to get rid of the adhesive. The reason I asked is because I'm thinking about debadging and I'm concerned about "shadows" or whatever you want to call it by the badges and or stickers.

I haven't decided if I'm going to take off the stickers because it's so much bigger and if they're is shadows I want to be sure I could actually remove them which is why I'd likely do badges first. Some people have said goo-gone works and then some have said some meguires scratch-x help removing the shadowing but they made sure to wax after as it is a mildly abrasive chemical.

So, as someone who 1) doesn't want to spend all day washing and waxing a vehicle with a million different steps and 2) doesn't have anything other than my scrawny arms to do the work - what is the best way to go about waxing your Taco?

Is there a certain type of wax that would work better for me given I don't want to spend all day and a million steps waxing? Would I just use a microfiber towel or is there anything specific?

I plan to pretty much just go to a self serve wash and wash the heck out of it but waxing is very much new to me.

Sorry if this is a somewhat dumb question but this is my first vehicle I've actually "cared" about so just want to be as educated as I can be before I go ruining my Taco. Thanks!

EDIT: Just realized there is a detailing section - sorry about that. If a mod/admin wants to move this to the proper section that would be great.

 

I'm a fan of Meguiars Ceramic Hybrid Wax for the reasons you listed; spray and rinse. Although, it does reccomend the initial application be applied like a traditional spray wax; spray and buff off.

 

It depends on how old your truck is, that you're de-badging. If its old and has been exposed to the elements much more than a new truck's paint...youre going to need more than elbow grease. you will need a polishing machine(and need to know how to properly use it, as to not swirl your clear)
I de-badged my 2016 about a month ago. Luckily I was able to hand polish/wax that out. Then a week in the sun did the rest of the work. I was about to take it to my friend who is a professional detailer though.
So what year is your truck, OP?

 

Mine is a 2017. Truck has been in New England it's whole life from all I know so it hasn't been in Florida or somewhere with "constant" sun.

 

I think you'd be ok to de-badge and give it the ol' elbow grease treatment then. You may still notice some very slight paint deviation, but like I said...give it a week and it should be fine.

 

If you don't want to spend all day waxing then don't go with a wax, go with one of those nano coating spray sealant like Hydrosilex or F11 Top coat. They last way longer than a wax and the water beading and shine is ridiculous. I personally use Hydrosilex and love the results. Last around 4-5 months compared to a few weeks with a wax. Id recommend the following:

Wash the truck, and while washing, use something simple like Meguiars Speed Clay 2.0 to remove contaminates. You can do it while washing the truck. This will allow whatever product you use for protection afterwards to adhere better making it last longer. It will some help remove some water spots.

 

Get a spray sealant, much easier than waxing and they last much longer. Stay far away from F11 I recommend carpro reload or optimum optiseal. The market is flooded with options. $35 for a bottle of something you spray on and wipe off once every 6 months seems kinds nuts but that bottle will last years on once vehicle

 

Pull the badges and or stickers off and see if you can even see a difference considering it's not that old. I pulled the badges on mine that would have been on there approx 2 years and I couldn't see the difference.

If you own a vehicle long enough and it lives outside and gets daily driven the sun isn't the only thing that will discolor the paint. Eventually enough road film will build up on the paint even with weekly washes and layers of protection. At some point in time only a light polishing will remove this. This is what "cleaner waxes" were for, now they call them "all in ones" where it's a hybrid polish that leaves a wax or protection as it finishes down.

Example:



From this post: https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...s-/68100-heres-why-you-need-polish-paint.html

 

Hydrosilex---Yes. Top Coat is a NO. Freaking snake oil.

OP forget a "wax" and find a sealant. Opti-seal is easy to use and super easy to remove. If applied properly there will be nothing to remove. Wipe on and walk away.

 

Definitely agree on going with a sealant instead of wax. The technology is there, they last longer, are easier to use, and some even look better. Also no worried about leaving behind a white film of dried up wax on plastics and in nooks and crannies

 

After reading about Optimum Opti- seal in detailing thread ordered and used for first time this week .Love it . Been using Klasse Aio several years and really like the Optimum .Got the ONR and Opti-seal last week and the Optimum car wax this week. Will be using Klasse Aio for polishing .

 

Lotta knowledge in these forums. Lots of opinions, I mean, everyone has a belly button, right? Sounds like everyone here is offering the same advice as they gave me. Ugh, dried wax in nooks and crannies. I like the Blackfire SiO2, although many similar sealants. Wait for a 25% off coupon from autogeek. I was using Meguiars Cleaner Wax and cotton bath towels, I've seen the light. The sealants last way better - like wow, impressed. The BF SiO2 did last longer than the

$20 Duragloss 105 Automotive Total Performance Polish - 16 oz.

Duragloss 105 (one on hood, one on roof, same weekend) and way easier application.

Method modification:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/optimum-poli-seal-not-slick.559297/#post-19935937

Sealant:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3-mos-in-blackfire-sio2-now-what.617529/#post-20994485