Hobby Detailers

After getting 7” of snow Tuesday-Wednesday and it now being 60 degrees and sunny this weekend (welcome to the south), the 4Runner got a much needed deep clean. I was wondering how many people on here are hobby “detailers” like myself who enjoy doing it themselves? I’m no pro so I can’t cut and buff with a machine, but I wash, clay (if needed), and spray wax the 4R every month or two. Feel free to post some pics of your 4Runners when they’re clean! Here’s some before and after shots.

 

"Black Ice" Is nice, I like Vanilla-roma.

 

I use the Mothers CMX Ceramic wash and then go over the glass with Shine Supply Punch-it and wipe the hood and bumper down with Punch-it to get the bugs off between washes as long as i havent been in any rains with road grime.

The Mothers CMX Ceramic wash IMO has the best finish and beads water the best, the longest. Your vehicle will look like its been covered in Rain-X for a month at minimum. Rain will literally run off like its coated with Rain-X. The Punch-it is the same thing but it puts too much of a haze on the clear and is too much to polish off, but its easy to see on the glass and easier to rub out. Punch-it doubles the power of the wash and will have the glass so slick you never use the wipers ever.

 

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I have been looking for a good soap/ceramic and something besides RainX for the glass. Thanks

 

That combination above is absolutely the best i have found. The CMX wash is the best ceramic wash i have ever seen and i have tried them all. Adams polishes, chemical guys, shine supply, and all the name brands at box stores. The Mothers CMX beads the best, the longest. I have a Tundra that i dont drive a bunch, about 10,000 miles a year and i normally wash it twice a year and it beads up almost to 6 months. You wont have to use your windshield wipers at all. My daily driver and wifes (who is super particular and wants her stuff clean all the time) is the main reason i searched every type of wash and cleaner and after-wax available. This wash does the best job, and the Punch-it i only use on her windows to extend/enhance the water beading so you never have water spots on the windows. With this soap you dont have to wax all the time, its literally a slick coating after you finish and helps my 20 year old Tundra with factory paint shine like crazy.

 

Nice job brother. I live near Chicago and mine was covered in salt. Washed it yesterday. I consider myself a home detailer. Detailed the engine compartment today

 

I’ll have to put some of these products on my list I’m not brand loyal so I have Mother’s, Meguiar’s, Chemical Guys, Adam’s Polishes, and Turtle Wax products in my arsenal lol After a wash I’ll go over it with Adam’s spray wax or a Turtle Wax one I have. I’ve used rain-x on my exterior glass for years but it’s good to know there’s something else out there that works too.

 

Looks good man! They’re fun getting dirty but it’s just as fun cleaning them imo (depending on the outside temperature)

 

Thanks buddy. It’s my happy place detailing it. I’ve watched so many videos. There is a detailer I follow on YouTube called Attention to Detail. She has upped my game so much.

we off road a lot so it’s constantly muddy. But getting it super clean is what makes me happy.

 

I agree, it’s therapeutic in a way.

 

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...^^^... I ordered them yesterday ... thanks

 

Why do people think a wash & wax is detailing?

 

I have a lot of that stuff too, but I highly recommend Shine Supply products for detailing. They also have you tube videos to give you tips on using their products.

 

Starts with a local car wash for a basic wash and vacuum.

Head home and buff out the new scratches. Finish with some turtle wax hybrid ceramic. Septa detailing brushes and chemical guys all purpose cleaner makes the interior easy.

 

Snow without all the road salt, that's the dream. I enjoy doing a good detail and try to do it once a year minimum. Wash, clay, decon, compound, touch up paint, ceramic coat, glass polish and coat, blacken all the plastic, shampoo carpet and head liner, silicon all the ruber, scrub the under carriage and rims, fluid film, clean and treat interior, engine bay... a solid weeks worth of work, but well worth it and satisfying. Don't fear a good radom orbital.

 

I had a friend recommend Menzerna polishes a few years back. I’m no pro but I was pretty proud of this. Wash clay, menzerna cut, Adams polish, Adams grannie spray. I need to do my 4 runner as it’s looking pretty bad after the snow.

before

After

 

"Detailing" and "wash and wax" to me is the same as "Exercising" and "walking" or "running". Detailing and exercising are categories and there's different levels to each. My 4R doesn't need a cut and buff after 2 years since there's no swirls or pinstripes, so a wash and wax is sufficient for me 90% of the time. When that time comes for a full correction though, I'll look into hitting it with a random orbital and some polish like shown above.

 

That's like taking a shower and calling it a spa day.
Is it really exercise when someone is walking/running to the fridge?
Detailing is a lot more than a wash and wax. Wash and wax is maintenence.