When was the last time you cleaned your Taco's engine?

After 4 years. I finally did it today. Was impressed with the results with minimal effort.

 

Yes, removed mine and installed a Volant CAI within a month of delivery. That was five and half years ago. The plastic engine cover makes a better shelter for mice to nest under the intake manifold and chew on wires.

 

Today. Engine detailing by Lemon Pledge
2014 DC / 134K

 

Curious how did the lemon pledge hold up ? Did it leave sticky residue? Discolor?

 

Nope! That's the nice thing about it: It just slowly evaporates over time, leaving just the dust to take over again eventually. No residue, no build-up and you really can't put too much on. It holds on for about 6-months, then it's ready to do again. I have also been using it on a vintage car for years because it doesn't attack or cloud plastic. More important: it also won't remove the silkscreen printing on the wiper stalk, cruise control switch or the aux switches and other bits: a lot of things do: spray it, wipe it and the printing is instantly gone. This has happened to me in the past on older cars, and to be honest, I have just dry dusted them ever since with a terry rag or microfiber wipe like the ones that come with Oakley sunglasses.

Since the product is made to be used on wood surfaces, it makes sense that plastic can handle it. I use it on the dash and hard plastics inside the truck as well, and it also removes the black door gasket lines onfamily the body inside on the door jams with no effort. It works on the clear instrument plastic as well, but I never feel comfortable spraying that plastic.

Note/Disclaimer: I am not associated with nor a family member or employee of the SC Johnson Family of Companies..

 

Be glad they didn't. Seriously. Dealers hire some $15/hr dropout, have them run these trucks with their fragile paint though a raggeddy ass tunnel car wash and wipes them down with goodwill T shirts. Does more harm than good. I'll take rail car dust and diesel soot over scratches. Even if it means a 3 hour cleanup when I get home.

Spent hours fixing the damage from a bad wash prep on mine. Never having the dealer wash the car again. And never taking delivery of a dealer-washed truck or vehicle if I reserve one.

I see dealers having guys dust wand cars on the lot after a wind storm. Might as well give them 800 grit and clean the cars.

 

Did my first clean at 175k just using some pre-soaked cleaning rags and micro fiber towels on a slow weekend. It's not perfect but looks good enough for me considering it's over 12 years old at this point.

 

I use something similar to this with 50/50 Purple Power/water mix then rinse and then use the cordless leaf and blower to get the water out of nooks and crannies. I try to do it with hot water straight off the hot water heater if possible.

HARRIS Continuous Hand Pump Pressure Sprayer for Home, Lawn, Garden, Car Detailing and More, 1.5L

$16 HARRIS Continuous Hand Pump Pressure Sprayer for Home, Lawn, Garden, Car Detailing and More, 1.5L

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TDS7GLX

 

We use pledge to clean the windshields of our helicopters, it does a really good job, and works as a water repellent when in the rain.

 

May.

 

Thats the 4 Runner 18 months later

 

This was my 2014 at 3 yrs old

 

I miss my 4.0 My engine bay looked like yours. Nice showroom clean.

 

Look's nice, Good Job!!

 

Good to see others take care of their vehicles.
Not the only OCD case on the planet I realize now.
I also hand clean the hell out of my undercarriage and drive train front to back 2 or 3 times a year.
Kinda a PITA in the driveway laying on my back.


But a good way to kill a couple hours when bored on a nice day.

 

how do you go about your under carriage clean.

I usually can only reach so far to apply soap and power wash off. With out lying on my back getting a wet ass.

 

Use some degreaser and a brush and do a small bit at a time. These work well, from the Chemical Guys. Check their site for great products and videos.

 

$75 VIGRUE 2-in-1 undercarriage Pressure Washer Attachment,24" Pressure Washer Water Broom with 7 Nozzles,Under Car Washer Cleaner with 3 Pieces Extension Wand,4000 PSI,Orange

https://www.amazon.com/VIGRUE-under...491-a141-d42f0f8da569&pd_rd_i=B0CJM4JPBB&th=1

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld! t

I get under there and spray it with my garden hose. At the end of the winter/early spring, when we get a good rain and I'm out in it, I make a conscious effort to hit every big puddle I see. It rinses away most of the salt and sand, especially at each end of the bumper. It's kind of fun too. Everything gets Fluid-Film in the spring and touch-up in the fall. So far so good under there. Passes the annual frame inspection at the dealer.

 

. Considering car wash spray for this when I go wash rest of body and undersides.
Rinsed out most of the mud, still muddy in crevices...drying in sun