How OCD are you about car washing and detailing?
Comments
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I hand wash only, wax and Armor All regularly (i.e., better than 99% of the general public)
I think Toyota does great with paint and clear coat. My old 4 Runner was outside most of its 17 life span (before I sold) and the paint had zero fading, peeling, etc. Most GM, Fords and Dodges I've seen of the same age didn't hold up as well. Their undercarriages are great too. Zero corrosion whatsoever. Not even minor cosmetic rust.
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1st Place in the local car show level detailing
Also, for my guysms who keep up on the car washing (which it sounds like is just myself and Yella), I highly recommend having a good waterless / rinseless car wash option. Very handy in summer if the car only sees dust for weeks at a time and a full hose and bucket wash is overkill. So long as you have a nice set of 6 microfiber towels (I think the size is 12" x 12") you can get away with spray on, wipe off car washing and not scratch the paint.
This has been my go-to for waterless washing for years.
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1st Place in the local car show level detailing
And when washing / drying your microfiber, get a microfiber detergent, wash them separate of all other laundry, dry on low heat, and do not use dryer sheets.
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1st Place in the local car show level detailing
Triple shit post incoming. Yella got me started up here. I need to take a long walk for perspective.
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I hand wash only, wax and Armor All regularly (i.e., better than 99% of the general public)
Depends on the car for me. The Highlander (aka Kluger) doesn't get washed that often. It's predawn gray and actually hides dirt well. Yes, I take that through Brown Bear every now and then.
The Mercedes is obsidian black and, obviously, is very challenging to keep clean. I hand-wash regularly with a microfiber mitt and also hand-dry with microfiber towels. I have not waxed it since got it in January. I'll probably treat it with ceramic spray going forward.
I have two foam cannons, which makes car-washing easier. One is for the pressure washer and the other one just attaches to the garden hose. The latter is very convenient and is also fantastic for washing motorcycles.
There you go Yella, you asshole. I was trying to stay away from this shitpit for a while, but you dragged me back in. Happy now?
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I go to the Brown Bear Car Wash a few times a year and use the scratchy brush and/or drive through
It was the Taylor Swift thread that pulled you back in.
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I go to the Brown Bear Car Wash a few times a year and use the scratchy brush and/or drive through
So 17 years outside and the 4Runner was fine? Sounds like cars are pretty waterproof. I've never owned one for 17 years. Closest I've come is the 325i I bought new and put 275K on over 15 years. Lived outside its whole life and probably would have given me another two or three years.
Besides, nobody cares what I do with or where I park my cars because my little compound is tucked away. Correction: the water district cares in that they care if I wash my car at home. I'm in the watershed, so I'm fined if I'm caught washing my car. It's drive through carwash for me.
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I hand wash only, wax and Armor All regularly (i.e., better than 99% of the general public)
The most time-consuming thing about washing this car are the wheels. They get dirty very quickly and are hard to wash and keep clean.
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I hand wash only, wax and Armor All regularly (i.e., better than 99% of the general public)
Never leaked on me, just didn't look as pretty after 17 years vs being garaged the entire time.
Apparently those 4 Runner sunroofs were prone to leaks but mine never had an issue. My theory is that I never used it and staying closed the entire time might have helped with the seals?
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1st Place in the local car show level detailing
@PurpleBaze have you tried ceramic brake pads? Cut down on 90% of the brake dust on my wheels (which are almost black in color).
