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How to Properly Detail a Vehicle

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Dave333, May 6, 2015.

  1. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:55 AM
    #91
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    What are these 6 magical "supplies" you speak of? Something from the guy who says he has a wax that lasts a year. How are you deciding it lasts a year? How often is truck outside? Driven? Some high quality sealants dont even last a year.
     
    HecticEnergy likes this.
  2. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:57 AM
    #92
    HecticEnergy

    HecticEnergy New Member

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    Winjet Rear brake lights, leather seats, BackFlip tonneau cover, Spyder headlights, Pro Grille, pop&lock
    You ask too many questions...


    :rofl:
     
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  3. Jul 7, 2018 at 8:01 AM
    #93
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    I'm thinking list goes like this
    1. A bucket
    2. Dish soap
    3. Sponge
    4. Towel you just used to dry off(multi purpose)
    5. Magical 1 year wax from grandpas garage
    6. AmourAll, lots of amour all
     
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  4. Jul 7, 2018 at 8:04 AM
    #94
    HecticEnergy

    HecticEnergy New Member

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    Winjet Rear brake lights, leather seats, BackFlip tonneau cover, Spyder headlights, Pro Grille, pop&lock
    :eek2::eek:
     
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  5. Jul 7, 2018 at 9:12 AM
    #95
    Yzed608

    Yzed608 New Member

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    Please excuse my dumb questions, I've never done a full detail on a car before as far as wax etc. I was given some products as gifts, and after reading through this I have a few questions about them...
    [​IMG]

    Directions say to "apply with a foam applicator or 100% cotton terry cloth towel, spread a thin even coat over vehicle and let dry. Remove excess with a microfiber towel or 100% cotton terry cloth towel." Does this mean I can use a microfiber to apply also I'm guessing? What constitutes as excess vs. just spread it around more to other areas? How thin is thin, does it look different when you apply it wet vs when it dries? Obviously I could just try it out and see but I'd rather know going in what it's supposed to look like.

    Also, are buffing wheels necessary for any of this or do they just make it a faster process than by hand? Or are they for a different purpose? These guys:
    [​IMG]

    Waxaddict: I see it's made for tires but has good results on other plastic trim etc: https://www.tundras.com/threads/wax...ner-vs-aerospace-303-marine-protectant.14560/

    One of the other gifts I got was this stuff:
    [​IMG]
    Info says you can use it on wheel wells, but also says can stain some surfaces from spin off. I'm just wondering if this could be used in a similar manner as the waxaddicts in the link above.

    I normally use Dawn when washing, but wasn't aware that it removes wax. Are you only supposed to use the Dawn when prepping for the full detail, and other soaps/washes between waxes?

    I also plan on picking up some RainX treatment for the windows. Should you use something like Invisible Glass to clean first, or is the regular wash with Dawn sufficient?

    Sorry for the dumb questions, I just want to try to use what I have already correctly and not waste them, but don't want to hurt anything if these aren't the correct products to be using.
     
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    #95
  6. Jul 7, 2018 at 9:24 AM
    #96
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    The experts will know better but a microfiber should be fine to apply the wax. Excess just means like thick white residue or wet puddle. You'll know once your doing it.

    I know nothing about buffing pads of buffers. And avoid them cuz I think I'll damage my paint. I no idiot when it comes to detailing but don't trust myself with a power tool on my paint lol

    The tire wet is something I'd not use. I love waxaddict because its versatile and just way better. You can use that stuff on your tires. I probably would since it was free lol. Just be sure to wipe it down after you spray on, if you dont it'll sling down you car and onto paint. Looks bad so wipe it down a bit.

    Only use dawn with the intention of stripping waxes. Get some decent car wash soap from now on, it's cheap.

    I have used rainx before, works pretty good, probably best to wash it good with a cleaner first but your dawn wash is probably fine. I like to use clay on glass now to clean it.
     
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    #96
  7. Jul 7, 2018 at 9:45 AM
    #97
    HecticEnergy

    HecticEnergy New Member

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    Winjet Rear brake lights, leather seats, BackFlip tonneau cover, Spyder headlights, Pro Grille, pop&lock
    I’m with @Pudge

    I’m still novice, but had done windows (I think it’s important to see through the windows, not see the windows... evidently my wife doesn’t agree unless I’m the one doing the cleaning LOL)
    Wash the exterior with some cleaner (dawn, clay, whatever). I personally prefer the foaming sprays using news paper. No, I’m not homeless :)
    Then apply the rainx per the label.

    As for the wax, check out some YouTube videos and you’ll get the general idea of how thick/thin it should be. Basically you want it to dry relatively quickly and evenly, but not to thin to be ineffective.

    Again, I’m novice, so wait for the detail gods responses to be sure :D
     
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    #97
    Yzed608[QUOTED], driverdog and Pudge like this.
  8. Jul 7, 2018 at 10:38 AM
    #98
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    limited wannabe, suspension and tire improvements
    Yeah man. Usually turns out alright. I can cut to 1.5 hrs if I don’t iron X / foam cannon strip/wash.
    EBDCB572-EC4F-4371-B88E-4E9CFD1A806B.jpg
    408348E3-8562-4050-941E-8EFBE9DE015C.jpg
     
  9. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:05 PM
    #99
    joesTundra

    joesTundra New Member

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    Pinnacle cleaner
    Collinite double coat wax last a full year
    Sprayway window cleaner
    Top quality wash
    Wheel cleaner
    Tire dressing
    That’s the six things you need to keep your truck beautiful
     
    classiccat likes this.
  10. Jul 26, 2018 at 5:28 PM
    #100
    SAN DOG 34

    SAN DOG 34 New Member

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    TRD Pro Air Intake, TRD Pro F/R Sway Bars
    What do y’all recommend for cleaning the exhaust tips? I have some black residue that’s built up on the edges and want to take it off without stripping the chrome on the tips if that’s such a thing.
     
  11. Jul 27, 2018 at 6:00 AM
    #101
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    I've had success with P21S polishing soap
     
  12. Aug 17, 2018 at 11:33 PM
    #102
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    The darkest
    It's really dark
    Reading this kind of stuff makes me feel so bad for my poor foggy looking black first gen, wax bi weekly? Mine gets washed every other month. Apartment life. o_O
     
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  13. Aug 18, 2018 at 8:20 AM
    #103
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    It's really dark
    I've seen a few people doing this but never tried myself, that's something worth looking into, thanks Steve!
     
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  14. Nov 17, 2018 at 6:13 PM
    #104
    joesTundra

    joesTundra New Member

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    sos pad works well
     
  15. Apr 14, 2019 at 1:46 PM
    #105
    Ironsights

    Ironsights New Member

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    Dave that truck looked fantastic. I always start with a new vehicle swearing I’m going to take care of it like Dave knowing full well it ain’t going to happen. My wife might have helped when we first got married 45 years ago and we waxed our cars with Johnson’s paste wax. (Same stuff we waxed and buffed the floors with in the Marine Corps.)
    I love my truck but never had time or energy and I live down a dirt road. I have four wheel drive for a reason. It still looks pretty good for all that.
    The cautions about the fresh body shop paint must be followed. My wife got a new car and it immediately got a huge scratch. Got it out of the paint shop and I complained it was orange peeled. Paint guy said leave it for 6 weeks and he’d paint it again if I wasn’t satisfied. Six weeks later it was slick and shiny. Took that long to get the VOC’s out.
     
  16. Jul 12, 2019 at 1:58 AM
    #106
    joesTundra

    joesTundra New Member

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    Dawn dish work to clean just about anything, grill, garage floor and good for stripping wax from your vehicle.
     
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  17. Nov 10, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #107
    toyofan87

    toyofan87 Beer thirty

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    Toytec 2.0 Aluma 3/1.5 lift with JBA's UCA Falkens AT3 295/70/18

    That 08 Nautical Blue color is the Shit!!! Digging it!
     
  18. Jan 14, 2021 at 2:55 PM
    #108
    Runway

    Runway New Member

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    Dadgummit guys. I joined the forum to learn about how to update the OS on the sound system and have now spent two weeks reading and learning about detailing. Have bought a few products, but mostly setting up to “do it right for best results.” Thanks for sharing your experiences and product knowledge. I had thought about learning to do this to pick up a few bucks in my upcoming retirement, but I’m not sure I’ll live long enough to learn it all!
     
  19. Jan 14, 2021 at 3:08 PM
    #109
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    Welcome to the obsession. As far as living long enough to learn it all...no one will. Just when I think I've settled on a product or process, someone introduces me to something new, and more of my hard-earned income goes elsewhere. It went from a hobby to a side hustle for me now.....still very therapeutic.
     
  20. Mar 2, 2021 at 5:52 PM
    #110
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    What makes you think you're screwing up the finish? If your wash and subsequent drying process are sound, you are at least limiting the damage. I'm guessing you probably have some light swirls.....they are inevitable, with soft Toyota clear, even if you're careful. I'm also guessing they do not bother you. How often are you applying the Lucas Speed Wax? Are you applying it to a dry vehicle or using it as a drying aid?
     
  21. Mar 3, 2021 at 11:15 AM
    #111
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    If you're wiping dust off....dry....you're definitely gonna have more noticeable scratches/swirls. I'd recommend something a little more permanent, like a quality sealant...Jescar Powerlock, Woflgang SIO2 sealant...something along those lines. Keep the speed wax around and use it as a drying aid after washing. If the truck gets dusty....rinse it
     
  22. Mar 3, 2021 at 4:39 PM
    #112
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    Not a fan of the California Scratcher....umm...I mean Duster. Years ago, I belonged to a Corvette club....every car had one of those things in it. That being said, they also washed their cars with old bath towels and dried them with a chamois. Here's a link to an interior cleaning thread started by CKatz53....he is the man to ask about interiors

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/interior-detailing-helper-thread.71041/
     
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  23. Mar 3, 2021 at 4:44 PM
    #113
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Cool slaps and plastiDip
    X2
     
  24. Mar 3, 2021 at 4:44 PM
    #114
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    This whole thread is a bit painful
     
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  25. Mar 4, 2021 at 6:11 AM
    #115
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Cool slaps and plastiDip
    Both griots and rag company make great products for drying a vehicle
     
  26. Mar 4, 2021 at 6:23 AM
    #116
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    I'm a huge fan of the Griots PFM drying towel....one of the earlier twisted loops design towels....Rag Company Twistress is also very good. PFMs are more expensive.....but to me, some things are expensive because they're worth it.
     
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  27. Apr 2, 2021 at 10:05 AM
    #117
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Cool slaps and plastiDip
    DONT BUY FROM AUTOGEEK
     
  28. Apr 27, 2021 at 7:00 AM
    #118
    Ckatz53

    Ckatz53 Newish

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    www.fouroneodetailing.com
    Start 'em young. God awful employee though. Distracted easily, taste tests most of the detail products, and prefers to spray the boss with the pressure washer instead of the vehicle.

    IMG_20210426_175832_596.jpg
     
  29. Apr 27, 2021 at 7:02 AM
    #119
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Best kind of help right there.
     
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  30. Apr 27, 2021 at 8:43 AM
    #120
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    Greatest helper you will ever have
     
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