What is your washing/waxing schedule?

Got my 4R 3 weeks ago. This is the first vehicle I've had since the late 90's that I give a shit how it looks. The nautical blue looks so damn sharp when it's nice and shiny - I'd like to keep it that way.

What do y'all recommend for washing/waxing/etc?

If it matters, I'm in South Carolina - more sun than snow, plenty of rain. No salt on the roads, not near an ocean. I don't play on trails/dirt roads as often as I'd like. We do get a TON of pollen every spring.

 

I don't have a schedule, I just do it in the warmer months when I get a chance. I also check the weather first, I'm in New England where there's a decent chance of rain on any given day.

Luckily mine is silver, which is super low maintenance.

For product, I'm VERY impressed with the Turtle Wax ceramic spray. Super easy to apply, and lasts months.

 

I do it every 3 months. I clay once a year close to the day I bought the truck

 

Wash every 3 months or wax?

 

I try and wash it weekly. Wax every 3 months.

 

I’m in NC, and I get the pollen too. I run all mine through the automatic wash. I know people will hate on that, but it keeps the fleet looking pretty good.

 

I used to do it all the time! Just don’t have an automatic wash near me.

 

I wash both the 4Runner and Tacoma with an Unlimited Wash Membership from Tommy Express Car Wash near me about 3-4 times a week, and wax both once a year.

Cheers,

Sean

 

Does the automatic car wash leave brush marks?

 

+1 for this! I love that stuff! It can get rained on and look like it just came out of the carwash.

I only use the touchless type. If you have a roof rack, or any exterior modifications, I recommend avoiding the scratch-o-matic type.

 

Turtle wax ceramic is something I've got my eye on. Looks easy enough to apply and seems to get some good reviews. Is this an every 6 months thing? Every 3?

 

Have not seen any in 5+ years.

 

I end up going closer to 6. Last wash of 2021 was in October, and I washed and reapplied again for the first time in 2022 in early June. Toward the end the paint wasn't slick to the touch, but water was still beading well.

I'll probably was and reapply sometime this month

 

Here's a shot from late March 2022. This is after a snowy/rainy winter.

 

I wash when dirty/salty. Could be twice a week or could be 3 weeks between washes. Depends on the weather. Wax twice a year.

 

Whenever its dirty.

 

Wash as needed and typically wax 2 times a year. Just sold my 2019 Tacoma looked good as day 1 after 3 years.