Car Wash or DIY

[Trailman]

You have to tilt your head to see them. I guess once you see them, you cannot unsee them so I’d like to try to take care of them. On my next detail.

I ordered this Griots Garage polisher kit prior to my LC arriving. G8 & G9 Ceramic Kit
When I got my LC home from the dealer I noticed scuffs on the hood in the clear coat where the protective white transportation film had been. I was annoyed and thought about calling the dealer but they are 2 1/2 hours away. I could have taken it to one of the local Toyota dealers I'm sure but decided to use the polishers to see if they would be less hassle. They are super easy to use and the polishing compound included in this kit buffed them right out. Still waiting to apply the ceramic spray but if you read reviews, it's much easier to apply than a traditional ceramic coating (which I've done in the past DIY) and you can apply it 2 times a year to keep the coating up. A lot of the traditional ceramic coatings need to be topped periodically to keep their water beading/shedding properties so to me, the ease of application and maintenance was the deciding factor. You can order a clay bar towel to make the clay bar process even easier than using the clay putty. Worth a try if you're willing to do some of the work yourself. I find it relaxing and it's nice to be able to remove light pin striping / scratches in the clear coat yourself when it inevitably happens. Here is what I ordered. You can apply the code "shanks" for 10% off your order. I added a second bottle of the 3 in 1 Ceramic coating to have on hand and I also added the 5" orbital conversion kit as a lot of people prefer the 5" pad over the 6" pad. The smaller G9 has 3" pads which are helpful for getting into smaller spaces.

 

[ultane]

Everytime I visit this thread, that song from the 70’s pops into my head. And won’t leave me alone..

 

[JoT.]

I ordered this Griots Garage polisher kit prior to my LC arriving. G8 & G9 Ceramic Kit
When I got my LC home from the dealer I noticed scuffs on the hood in the clear coat where the protective white transportation film had been. I was annoyed and thought about calling the dealer but they are 2 1/2 hours away. I could have taken it to one of the local Toyota dealers I'm sure but decided to use the polishers to see if they would be less hassle. They are super easy to use and the polishing compound included in this kit buffed them right out. Still waiting to apply the ceramic spray but if you read reviews, it's much easier to apply than a traditional ceramic coating (which I've done in the past DIY) and you can apply it 2 times a year to keep the coating up. A lot of the traditional ceramic coatings need to be topped periodically to keep their water beading/shedding properties so to me, the ease of application and maintenance was the deciding factor. You can order a clay bar towel to make the clay bar process even easier than using the clay putty. Worth a try if you're willing to do some of the work yourself. I find it relaxing and it's nice to be able to remove light pin striping / scratches in the clear coat yourself when it inevitably happens. Here is what I ordered. You can apply the code "shanks" for 10% off your order. I added a second bottle of the 3 in 1 Ceramic coating to have on hand and I also added the 5" orbital conversion kit as a lot of people prefer the 5" pad over the 6" pad. The smaller G9 has 3" pads which are helpful for getting into smaller spaces. View attachment 12512

That’s cool- I do have some scuffs on the hood as well- so that may be helpful !!

 

[Syed117]

Did my first real wash today.

Power wash, foam soap spray, rinse, dry, and wax with collinite 476s.

I find the initial power wash rinse gets rid of all the loose dirt and grime. Soap and second rinse gets it clean. Wet towel and then dry makes it spotless. Don't need to do the whole bucket sponge thing.

 

[Masbirdies]

Can't speak for what the dealer did to my car before I bought it, but...it was on the showroom floor, so hopefully it was washed less than if it sat outside.

Since I've had it, my car has never been to a car wash and never will...not ever the spray wash kind.

Here's my routine:

1. Pre spray car with ONR. 2. Using a solution of 128:1 Water/ONR, I wash 1 panel at a time with Big Red Sponge and ONR solution. 3. Dry immediately with Big Red Towel.

If it hasn't rained in awhile, or the car is super dirty, I'll do the above but instead of the ONR pre-spray, I use a foam cannon and soap up the entire car using Maguires Gold soap. I don't use a rag here, just let it sit a bit then hose it off and then do the above.

Every 4-6 months, I use Griot's 3n1 Ceramic wax. In between, I use Griots Ceramic Speed Shine. I haven't needed to clay bar.

For the black plastic exterior and interior dash and trim that is non-leather, I clean with ONR solution (it's fantastic for interiors) and then use 303 Aerospace protectant. It doesn't restore faded black plastic but I've used it for years and my interior and exterior plastics never got cloudy, faded or turned color. I use either Griots Leather all in one or Lexol leather cleaner and their conditioner on the leather seats and trim.

The BEST window cleaner is Invisible Glass....I use both the pump and the aerosol versions.

My paint is super smooth and no swirl marks. The water beads like crazy when it rains. The paint reflectivity is mirror like.

 

[ultane]

1. Pre spray car with ONR. 2. Using a solution of 128:1 Water/ONR, I wash 1 panel at a time with Big Red Sponge and ONR solution. 3. Dry immediately with Big Red Towel.

What is ONR?

What is Big Red Sponge?

What is Big Red Towel?