Detailing regiments

Hey everyone I just recently bought a 2021 4Runner and it’s black and I have never really been a huge deatail guy before just have always washed when dirty haha…so this new car is somewhat of my baby so will everyone give me your regiments that you use to detail what steps you use and why also include any products you may use I am trying to keep clean and the ultimate goal is to try to prevent any swirl since it is a black car.

 

Sorry no real tips just wanted to say I think black sucks (for keeping it clean that is.) I had a black Camaro years ago never again! They look great 10 minutes after their washed and that's it. All I could offer if your doing it yourself is wax, wax, wax. Good luck with it!

 

Power washer
Foam cannon
Two bucket method for rinsing your mitt

wash in a back/forward motion instead of circular to avoid swirl marks.

I don’t get crazy with a bunch of products. The only things I use are 303 interior/exterior protectant and 303 touch less sealant to keep it clean

 

Agree with this ^ Only thing I'd add is make sure to change the water in the buckets a couple times through out the wash (depending on how dirty the 4R is). I use CG products and they have been fine for me.

I think another thing is that drying is typically where a lot of the swirl marks come from. Make sure to use reliable microfiber towel(s) or an air blower of some sorts.

 

Wax on. Wax off.

 

Personally I like my Boars Hair washing brush not that I wash it very often!

 

I always wash in the shade and when paint is cool. Just adding this to what's been already posted...black looks great, but very tough to keep it that way. Just take your time and don't cut corners.
I like Mcguires products.

 

Do you use the 303 wash??

 

I don’t. Didn’t know they made one. I’m still on a one gallon bottle from chem guys. I think I’ll give it a shot though.

One of my favorites is the maguiars wash and wax (yellow). Always gives great results.

 

ONR rinse/wash(blue) rinse/wax(green)
I’ll even use them when it has morning dew/light rain on it
Easypeezie

great in between waxes

clay bar is vital

mcguiars has been great

big things as mentioned are taking your time n getting comfortable with the size of this truck n “common sense”...in the shade, clean water n cloths(they come in packs of a billion so don’t skimp)


BUT it is a 4Runner.....

 

Power washer to knock down the big dirty stuff before you even make contact with the paint. Power washer with foam cannon to provide tons of lubricant so when you do make contact with the paint the soap is picking up the particles of dirt off the paint. And wash top-to-bottom horizontally, flip the wash mitt and then wash in vertical up-down motion, i.e., two passes each panel. You might even choose to use multiple mitts so you can use a mitt to tackle the very dirty lower doors/rockers and another mitt to hit the roof, hood, trunk, etc.

Your rinse water and drying towels make all the difference. Get grit guards for your rinse buckets so particles fall below that and don't come back up to contaminate your wash mitt. Towels - You cannot go wrong with Griot's Garage PFM Terry Weave Towel - perfect towel for dying. When you're drying, use horizontal and vertical wipes and, I think this is key, get something like Meguiars Xpress Spray Wax to spray on the panel before wiping. A little extra lubrication. But, also spray a little on the towel first...this makes the microfiber even more absorbent than when completely dry.

Oh, once youre done washing and if your 4R has some wax on it, Id suggest using your hose to just run water out (no nozzle) freely over every panel...I find this typically reduces the amount of water left on the panel and makes drying a cinch. I use 2-3 of those MF towels noted above for the whole job with another for the door jambs.

Wash soap - Meguiars Hyperwash - tons of suds, long-lasting, reasonably priced and doesnt leave behind waxes or others fillers.

 

I’ve done preliminary test with a bunch of different products which, in hindsight I should have video or at least took photos but, this has been a process that’s spanned many years.

products used:
Meguiars (yellow wax)
Chemical guys (green “melon” foam)
Griots Garage (red car wash)
Mother’s (gold classic)

(bit of bias here as the addition of the foam cannon has not been used with Mothers.)

from the resulting list,
1. Meguiars
2. Griots garage
3. CB/mother’s did about the same. (The melon scent of the CB attracts hornets where I live; stopped using.)

Every 6 months or so I will clay bar the vehicle. I use griots garage “speed shine” and associated clay bar. I believe the efficacy of these products to be on par for this application.

Now, here is where I have true recommendations. I’ve used 303 in the past for my exterior/interior but have since switch to “Lithium” products. HOLY SH** this stuff works amazing!!

I am still in the testing phase of lithium interior leather cleaner and without a doubt, the most effective product I’ve used to date!!

Now, I usually wash once a month as I don’t frequently drive (4Runner is black though) and clay bar ever 6 months. (personally think this make the most difference with black exterior)

I did at one point own a super white 2020 ORP and there was a paint restorer and protectant that came with the vehicle (the bottle also stated that my paint warranty was only valid when applied at instructed intervals.)

Hopefully you find some good advice within these replies. Keep in mind, your cleaning needs will be different from the next, so what I may do could be overkill to others. Cheers!!