In addition to this, you can also use a 2-bucket wash method. The 2nd bucket is purely for "rinsing" off the mitt after you've washed a section of truck, then back into the suds for the next panel.
I have a friend who is a detailing fanatic. He said the Zaino was superb, but he's leery of trying it because it's susceptible to humidity and is very prone to streaking during application/removal, so he generally sticks with Meguiars because they're typically gentle products and give excellent results. He just has to re-apply the sealant more often than he would with Zaino. He also recommends the Porter Cable 7424XP and I'll confirm from experience that it's pretty much "bubba proof". If I can do it, anyone can. There is a lot of acreage to clean on our trucks so trust me, a dual-action polisher is a lifesaver. If you do decide to buy a machine, DO NOT buy a rotary buffer like Makita or DeWalt, thinking it's better. Those are best left to professional detailers. Also I avoid spring and fall polishing due to pollen here in the south- esp. spring. By the time I get the truck dried, there's enough pollen on the surfaces to turn a waxing job into a light sanding job.
Yes good points. I like the 2 bucket idea. There also is a bucket available with a grate at the bottom that allows the grit to fall behind keeping it from getting back on your wash mit. yeah i might get one of those porter cable machines cause like you said there is a ton of sheet metal on these trucks!
To the OP there is a detailing forum here at TS might wanna check it out.
__________________ 2007 Tundra DC SR5 TRD Nautical Blue, 5.7, 4X4, Toytec 2.5" front lift, 1" rear block, Diff. drop kit, BFG AT KOs 305/65R/18, JVC KW-AVX810 head unit, HD Radio, Sirius, JVC CH X1500 12 disc CD changer, Scosche piano black dash kit, Alpine 550 4 channel amp 90 watts per channel, Focal 165 V1 components front, Cliff Designs CD60-4C Components rear, Modified Pioneer sealed sub box, MTX Audio TT 6510-04 10" shallow sub, Alpine 450 mono amp 220 watts, R/F 1 farad digital capacitor, All 4 doors and rear wall DynaMatt, Hard wired Escort Passport 8500 X50, Boyo VLT 300 rear veiw camera.
I've had 2 black vehicles, and I've kept them clean the same way.
I always prewash it with just the pressure washer's water. Not a once around spray off, but a good 5-10 minute serious rinse. Then i hand wash it with mcguires soap. I use a lot of different products from different companies that I've found work the best for different areas (ICE, turtle wax, mcguires, rainx, etc.) but that's up to you, as it's smaller parts of the truck and different people do it different ways.
The big thing for me is waxing. I use mcguires gold class wax when I think it needs it, and in between full waxings i use showtime instant detailer. I don't have a set time period between waxing, I just look at and feel the paint before/after the wash and decide if it needs it.
There's nothing like cleaning up your sweet ride. Enjoy it!
__________________
"Skin grows back - paint doesn't" - Chip Foose
09 Tundra. 5.7 DC 4x4.
07 FJ Cruiser. 6 Lifted. 35's. Winch Bumper. One of a kind. Sold.
06 IS350. Slammed. Greddy Axle Back. Fujita. ACE 18's. Sold.
In addition to this, you can also use a 2-bucket wash method. The 2nd bucket is purely for "rinsing" off the mitt after you've washed a section of truck, then back into the suds for the next panel.
I have a friend who is a detailing fanatic. He said the Zaino was superb, but he's leery of trying it because it's susceptible to humidity and is very prone to streaking during application/removal, so he generally sticks with Meguiars because they're typically gentle products and give excellent results. He just has to re-apply the sealant more often than he would with Zaino. He also recommends the Porter Cable 7424XP and I'll confirm from experience that it's pretty much "bubba proof". If I can do it, anyone can. There is a lot of acreage to clean on our trucks so trust me, a dual-action polisher is a lifesaver. If you do decide to buy a machine, DO NOT buy a rotary buffer like Makita or DeWalt, thinking it's better. Those are best left to professional detailers. Also I avoid spring and fall polishing due to pollen here in the south- esp. spring. By the time I get the truck dried, there's enough pollen on the surfaces to turn a waxing job into a light sanding job.
this 2 bucket method, although sworn by many, is still pointless. point is, you are still dipping your wash mitt into a dirty pail of water. ive never understood why people cant see that?? the best thing you can do, is keep your garden hose next to the bucket, and each time before you dip your mitt back in the soap bucket, you spray it off with clean water from the hose first. this way, any dirt on the wash mitt, ends up on the ground, instead of suspended in a bucket of water, that you will dipping your mitt into over and over.
I've had my black Tundra for over a year now and all I do is hand wash it, never hand dry it. Sure there are a couple water spots, but not that many that I need to hand dry it. I wax when I think it needs it.
The only scratches and swirls I have are: a piece of wood flew up and a road and hit my bumper, so there's a pretty good scratch there, and when trying to get sap and bird s*** off, never ever rub.... even if you have a microfiber towel. I still don't know how to get some of that stuff off and I use bug and tar remover and let it sit for a long time and it doesn't seem to come off very easily.
Forgot to mention. I wash my truck once a week and always in the shade. The sun just dries the soap to the black too fast.
__________________ Black 5.7L RCSB w/ appearance package Exterior mods: Line-X, Leer 550 hard cover, TRD bug deflector,
Banks Monster single outlet exhaust, Grillcraft MX grille,
Debadged, Color matched plastics, 20% tint. Interior mods: Pioneer head unit w/ 10'' Rockford Fosgate subs. Future Mods: Level or lowering kit, Rims and tires. Sig created by Watson91 at ScreenFX (Click here to visit)
I've had my black Tundra for over a year now and all I do is hand wash it, never hand dry it. Sure there are a couple water spots, but not that many that I need to hand dry it. I wax when I think it needs it.
The only scratches and swirls I have are: a piece of wood flew up and a road and hit my bumper, so there's a pretty good scratch there, and when trying to get sap and bird s*** off, never ever rub.... even if you have a microfiber towel. I still don't know how to get some of that stuff off and I use bug and tar remover and let it sit for a long time and it doesn't seem to come off very easily.
Forgot to mention. I wash my truck once a week and always in the shade. The sun just dries the soap to the black too fast.
Ive never had a problem getting it off with plain water or detail spray if I soak the rag then blot the bird crap for a few minutes before rubbing it off. If it's fresh it comes off pretty easy. If it sat for a bit it takes some patience.
__________________
09 Crewmax 4x4 5.7.
Stampede bug deflector/ventvisors
Matching front tint.
Pioneer PRemier DEH 980BT
Pioneer Premier Shallowmount 10
Hertz HSK165.
Eclipse rear coaxials.
Eclipse EA4200/Alpine MRP M500
It usually sits for a bit and gets baked on by the sun. I usually don't notice it's there until I get to work and I don't carry any detailing stuff in my truck.
__________________ Black 5.7L RCSB w/ appearance package Exterior mods: Line-X, Leer 550 hard cover, TRD bug deflector,
Banks Monster single outlet exhaust, Grillcraft MX grille,
Debadged, Color matched plastics, 20% tint. Interior mods: Pioneer head unit w/ 10'' Rockford Fosgate subs. Future Mods: Level or lowering kit, Rims and tires. Sig created by Watson91 at ScreenFX (Click here to visit)
It usually sits for a bit and gets baked on by the sun. I usually don't notice it's there until I get to work and I don't carry any detailing stuff in my truck.
Alls you need is a bottle of detail spray and 2 rags with you, it comes right off if you get to it fast enough. But seriously with the bird poop, I find the mistake people make is they get impatient and immediately try to scrub as hard as they can to get it off. That's how I used to do it until a guy showed me different. Just blot with a soaked rag like you're trying to get a stain out of a carpet. After a few minutes the stuff softens up and comes off.
__________________
09 Crewmax 4x4 5.7.
Stampede bug deflector/ventvisors
Matching front tint.
Pioneer PRemier DEH 980BT
Pioneer Premier Shallowmount 10
Hertz HSK165.
Eclipse rear coaxials.
Eclipse EA4200/Alpine MRP M500
Alls you need is a bottle of detail spray and 2 rags with you, it comes right off if you get to it fast enough. But seriously with the bird poop, I find the mistake people make is they get impatient and immediately try to scrub as hard as they can to get it off. That's how I used to do it until a guy showed me different. Just blot with a soaked rag like you're trying to get a stain out of a carpet. After a few minutes the stuff softens up and comes off.
Yeah, I don't carry bottles of anything in my truck anymore. Every time I've EVER done that, it always tips over and spills everywhere. I know what you're saying though and thanks for the info. I'll have to remember the wet rag advice. Thanks.
__________________ Black 5.7L RCSB w/ appearance package Exterior mods: Line-X, Leer 550 hard cover, TRD bug deflector,
Banks Monster single outlet exhaust, Grillcraft MX grille,
Debadged, Color matched plastics, 20% tint. Interior mods: Pioneer head unit w/ 10'' Rockford Fosgate subs. Future Mods: Level or lowering kit, Rims and tires. Sig created by Watson91 at ScreenFX (Click here to visit)
Yeah, I don't carry bottles of anything in my truck anymore. Every time I've EVER done that, it always tips over and spills everywhere. I know what you're saying though and thanks for the info. I'll have to remember the wet rag advice. Thanks.
i have my little bucket, that i use for washing my vehicles. and i have a bottle of car wash soap in it, tire shine, 303, wash mit, some microfibre towels, wheel cleaner. all that stuff, makes a tight fit in the bucket. so it never spills. i just wedge the whole buclet in behind my seat in the back.
Armor All makes these "To Go" Exterior detailing wipes that come in a package that can fit in your glove box. I found some on clearance and picked up as a just in case. have not tried them out yet so cant say how they work. but figure with some bottled water if needed can make one pretty wet and clean up some stuff with it, at least get it off the paint before it can do some permanent damage.
__________________ 2007 Tundra DC SR5 TRD Nautical Blue, 5.7, 4X4, Toytec 2.5" front lift, 1" rear block, Diff. drop kit, BFG AT KOs 305/65R/18, JVC KW-AVX810 head unit, HD Radio, Sirius, JVC CH X1500 12 disc CD changer, Scosche piano black dash kit, Alpine 550 4 channel amp 90 watts per channel, Focal 165 V1 components front, Cliff Designs CD60-4C Components rear, Modified Pioneer sealed sub box, MTX Audio TT 6510-04 10" shallow sub, Alpine 450 mono amp 220 watts, R/F 1 farad digital capacitor, All 4 doors and rear wall DynaMatt, Hard wired Escort Passport 8500 X50, Boyo VLT 300 rear veiw camera.
Use a electric leaf blower to dry it off. These trucks hold alot of water in places that you can blow out instead of the 1st time you move your truck or close your door it leaves spots. I have been using C-magic wax which alot of corvette guys use and he told me this trick.Can't scratch it if your not touching it. Love the wax to, Easy to put on and take off to.
TS has a detailing forum and it is really good; Brandon1 is the moderator and is always doing write-ups on products and how to. He is pro detailer so he knows this stuff inside and out. He post tons of pictures too; you should check it out. Plus, he always seems more than willing to help out with questions and give direction.
I got a porter cable and some products he recommends and my 2007 looks better than the day I bought it; all cause I followed his directions.
Re: Best new truck black paint protection regimen
2007 Tundra DC SR5 TRD Nautical Blue, 5.7, 4X4, Toytec 2.5" front lift, 1" rear block, Diff. drop kit, BFG AT KOs 305/65R/18, JVC KW-AVX810 head unit, HD Radio, Sirius, JVC CH X1500 12 disc CD changer, Scosche piano black dash kit, Alpine 550 4 channel amp 90 watts per channel, Focal 165 V1 components front, Cliff Designs CD60-4C Components rear, Modified Pioneer sealed sub box, MTX Audio TT 6510-04 10" shallow sub, Alpine 450 mono amp 220 watts, R/F 1 farad digital capacitor, All 4 doors and rear wall DynaMatt, Hard wired Escort Passport 8500 X50, Boyo VLT 300 rear veiw camera.
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