Wait to wax 2024? What to use?

Folks, I'm not up-to-date in any way on protecting paint. The last paint I protected was my 2011 FJ Cruiser, which I bought new back then. All I did was apply Meguire's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax (paste) every 6-9 months, and after 13 years of sitting outdoors under a tree for shade 100% of the time, the white paint still shined up pretty well. The rubber trim all rotted, but the paint was OK.

My 4R was built the last week of February, so the paint is 7 weeks old. Do I need to wait to apply something? When I was growing up (a long time ago) we were told to wait 6 months, but paint isn't the same now.

Also, I have no idea what these "ceramic" coatings are or if they work. I don't want to put on something that doesn't really work or is a pain in the arse to apply. I put a cheap cover over it for now, after washing off fresh bird droppings! They know EXACTLY which truck to go after!

 

No need to wait to apply a coating or wax. My experience with ceramic coatings is that they do work although don't expect miracles. They make washing easier and should last for years. I've never applied them myself though.

 

Is there some sort of "permanent" or "very long term" application that I should consider before doing anything else to the paint? Some sort of sealant or something that goes on before wax?

 

One thing about white paint: If there is a wet leaf on it (it sits outside) there always is a brown stain that sometimes is hard to remove. It's especially hard on the roof. I need a ladder to wash and wax up there.

Just Line-X the whole thing. I remember when some people were doing the bottom half and/or the roof on new FJ Cruisers. Well, it didn't scratch at least. Not for me.

 

If you have the supplies, time, and patience, do a paint correction yourself. Then you can apply whatever paint sealant, ceramic coating, or PPF on top.

 

What is a paint correction on a truck with less than 200 miles?

 

Basically, you are removing any imperfections from the factory. Scratches, swirl marks, etc. You can go as far as wet sanding to get rid of the orange peel. Just be careful not to take off too much clear coat, as Toyota paint and clear is thin.

 

People tend to refer to most paint sealants as wax but they aren’t the same. I’ve used Wolfgang paint sealant for 20ish years now and have had great luck with it. When I traded in my burgundy 2003 Yukon in 2013 the paint graded at 96% and the sales guy said “yeah, this will be sold immediately”. I didn’t wait to do my 2023 either, car wash and Wolfgang second weekend after buying it. I never did understand people who spend what it costs to buy a new 4Runner (or any new vehicle) and then never take care of the paint.

 

I have always wondered if there is some truly new miracle sealant that permenently or semi-permanently bonds to the paint or if it's all just snake oil. I can't complain about how my FJ Cruiser looked after 13 years of sitting outside every day with Meguire's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax (paste) applied every 6-9 months. 13 years of sitting outside is a pretty long test.

 

How often do you apply the Wolfgang paint sealant? Thanks

 

If you are looking for the new merical in "waxing" your vehicle look no further than graphene spray wax by Turtle Wax. Its there hybrid solutions Pro Flex Wax.

I have been blown away with how resilient it is and how easy it is to use. With all the salt/Snow here and 6 months since i did it last, water still beads up, i think its even prevented scratches when i off road.

 

Ripper238 is correct, the Turtle Wax Graphene is the way to go, I buy it at Walmart and is very reasonably priced, I’m sure Amazon has it too.

 

I also use Wolfgang paint sealant on my vehicles. I've been very happy with the ease of application, shine, and longevity of it.

Even with a fairly new vehicle, I suggest using a clay bar to prep all painted surfaces, then hitting it with two coats of Wolfgang paint sealant, allowing 12 hours of curing time between coats. It is important to let the sealer cure somewhere where it isn't subject to moisture.

I just tried the newer Wolfgang paint sealant (Wolfgang Concours Series SiO2 Car Paint Sealant) on my wife's car. It's a little more expensive than the non-SiO2 "Deep Gloss" sealant, but I liked the results.

See for more info.

 

I'm in the same boat. Picked up a 2024 on Saturday. I drove for a bit on Saturday and Sunday and it's been parked in my carport ever since! I'm too scared to drive it until I figure out my plan with paint and the underbody

 

It will be controversial here, but at 200 miles I had mine treated with Tectyl 2102. It covers everything underneath now including both sides of the skid plates. I will be treating the frame internally with 3M "cavity wax" as described here:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/corrosion-protection-inside-the-frame.37761/page-2

Paint protection will be from the same Meguire's NXT paste "wax" that kept the white paint on my 2011 FJ Cruiser stored 100% outside fine for 13 years.

Rubber and plastic trim will be protected with 303 Aerospace. It works.

A $140 cover from Budge will provide ultimate paint and trim protection when I can deal with using it, which is a huge pain in the neck.

 

Every spring i do a bottle of iron remover for orange brake dust spots then coat of meguiars liquid ceramic wax. Seems to do the job. Nothing like a professional ceramic coating you are talking about though.

ill have to look into that turtle product