Exterior Preservation (Keeping the Dang Thing Clean)

[Ultima Thule]

@EcoBoosted
Unfortunately, time is something I have very little of. I may try to get it de-bugged and washed, then stick it in the garage for a few days. I have other things to drive, so it isn’t too bad. Over a week I may be able to try the clay bar stuff that I understand you are supposed to do (no idea, lol) and then I can use a ceramic product on it. Just need to decide if I want to use The Last Coat, Mckee’s, or Meguiars products.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

@EcoBoosted
Unfortunately, time is something I have very little of. I may try to get it de-bugged and washed, then stick it in the garage for a few days. I have other things to drive, so it isn’t too bad. Over a week I may be able to try the clay bar stuff that I understand you are supposed to do (no idea, lol) and then I can use a ceramic product on it. Just need to decide if I want to use The Last Coat, Mckee’s, or Meguiars products.

Lol... You also need to wash it with a prep soap and you should definitely polish it before hand. The paint has to be contaminate free, or it won't shine as good as it should.

The order should be:
1. Prep wash
2. Clay bar
3. Prep wash
4. Polish
5. Prep wash
6. Wipe down with rubbing alcohol
7. Apply product
8. Let coating cure overnight in your garage.

Also... if it comes in a spray bottle or a plastic bottle it's not a true ceramic coating. McKees is very easy to use compared to others, just work in 12"x12" sections.

 

[ITTOG]

Lol... You also need to wash it with a prep soap and you should definitely polish it before hand. The paint has to be contaminate free, or it won't shine as good as it should.

The order should be:
1. Prep wash
2. Clay bar
3. Prep wash
4. Polish
5. Prep wash
6. Wipe down with rubbing alcohol
7. Apply product
8. Let coating cure overnight in your garage.

Also... if it comes in a spray bottle or a plastic bottle it's not a true ceramic coating. McKees is very easy to use compared to others, just work in 12"x12" sections.

That is nuts. my truck is lucky if it gets washed once a year. I always take a picture after I wash it. The last picture was Feb 15, 2020. It is possible I missed a picture but regardless you get my point. I don't have that much time to spend on a depreciating asset.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

That is nuts. my truck is lucky if it gets washed once a year. I always take a picture after I wash it. The last picture was Feb 15, 2020. It is possible I missed a picture but regardless you get my point. I don't have that much time to spend on a depreciating asset.

My first Tundra was 15 years old when I sold it... The paint looked new, which is why I was able to sell it for more than Bluebook value.

My daughter and I typically detail my truck and my wife's car every weekend...lol.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Man it's too bad that the only two possible options here are doing literally nothing whatsoever or else doing an all day 8 step car spa.

Well...there are plenty of options that are in-between.... But why half ass something? Lol

My plan involves giving up a weekends worth of time and then you get a vehicle that's easier to keep clean for the next 3-5 years. You also don't have to waste time waxing your vehicle either.

 

[ITTOG]

My first Tundra was 15 years old when I sold it... The paint looked new, which is why I was able to sell it for more than Bluebook value.

My daughter and I typically detail my truck and my wife's car every weekend...lol.

I guess if I sold them before end of life I may be more willing to take care of the paint. I usually park inside which helps drastically on the paint regardless if it gets regular washing. On my current truck it has a lot of pin stripes so the dirt helps hide them.

 

[Todd780]

On my current truck it has a lot of pin stripes so the dirt helps hide them.

Dang it... I scratched my dent....

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I guess if I sold them before end of life I may be more willing to take care of the paint. I usually park inside which helps drastically on the paint regardless if it gets regular washing. On my current truck it has a lot of pin stripes so the dirt helps hide them.

That's the thing... One never truly knows how long they'll keep a vehicle. I could still own my Tundra ... but it couldn't safely hold a rear facing baby seat, which made it worthless once I became a dad. It was 15 years old and I had owned it for 11 years. I never once though about the baby seat issue until it became an issue...lol.

Since the paint looked new, it has zero rust anywhere, the chassis looked new, and I had meticulous maintenance records I got more money for it.

My current truck is no different. I keep it clean and very well maintained. I'll have zero issues getting a good price for it when I sell it in the future.

 

[ITTOG]

Dang it... I scratched my dent....

I do draw a line on dents. If I dent it and it can be seen from about 10' away, I get it fixed. I can't handle dents. LOL

That's the thing... One never truly knows how long they'll keep a vehicle. I could still own my Tundra ... but it couldn't safely hold a rear facing baby seat, which made it worthless once I became a dad. It was 15 years old and I had owned it for 11 years. I never once though about the baby seat issue until it became an issue...lol.

Since the paint looked new, it has zero rust anywhere, the chassis looked new, and I had meticulous maintenance records I got more money for it.

My current truck is no different. I keep it clean and very well maintained. I'll have zero issues getting a good price for it when I sell it in the future.

That is true but I have never had an issue like that I couldn't overcome. My current truck is a 2018 F150 and the last was a 2007 Tundra so no issues with things like that. The Tundra was nowhere near end of life though. My son bought it from me. To this day it has had less issues than the F150, which by the way is currently in the shop, again, probably for the fifteenth time.

 

[Todd780]

I do draw a line on dents. If I dent it and it can be seen from about 10' away, I get it fixed. I can't handle dents. LOL

Oh. Yeah... me too...

 

[86scotty]

Mine had a cracked windshield when I got it. As soon as I replaced it on the next trip I took a rock and cracked it again. What is it with these things?

 

[blacklbzbeauty]

OP
The plastic trim on your fenders, bumpers, door handles, etc. can be preserved with many of the above suggestions. The black top however is a totally different material and finish, therefor should not need any special care unless parked outside continuously in the desert southwest. IMHO

 

[Ultima Thule]

I grabbed a bottle of Back in Black, great songs. Oh, wait…