[Colonel]

@cash70's thread made me wonder (very clean and shiny vehicle)...why dont we have a detailing thread? I know there are tons of products and people have tons of ways to do the same thing but conversation usually generate new ideas.

What are people doing to detail their Rav and get longevity out of the coatings/waxes/sealants.
What are the pain spots?

We are getting a dark vehicle (Blueprint or Mag Gray) so more care is needed to keep it looking fantastic.

BTW, I am the kind of guy that will wash a car in the rain and then dry and wax in the garage while all hell break loose outside...while having a brew...or eight...LOL!

 

[Numbers]

I was born lazy and then had a relapse. I like easy.

My last car (2014 Infiniti Q50 in Hagane Blue) was waxed once only when I first bought it. I used straight carnauba to create a good base. However, I maintained it by using a spray wax after every car wash. When I traded it in, it still looked great despite not being garaged and living in Maryland.

I've already done the carnauba application and buffing on the RAV. I intend to continue using Turtle Wax ICE Spray Wax after every car wash. It goes on like water and requires no buffing.

In between, I use Turtle Wax Spray Detailer. Using microfiber, it also goes on like water and requires no buffing.

It's simple and works for me.

 

[Colonel]

Spray "waxes" have been a god send in my book. I put down a sealer (Megs Liquid Ult "wax") quarterly. Then I use Megs Ultimate Detailer while I dry it with microfiber. Then I use Megs Ult spray wax when I am done.

I use the Megs stuff because I have tried some of the boutique systems (Chem guys, Wolfgang) and I can't specifically see a difference and doesnt seem to last as long. This is on my Pearl White Fusion.

 

[rad4lenin]

I fully paint corrected my 2006 Evo 9 using all Adams Polishes products. I plan to do the same in the future with the Rav4. For now I've only washed it twice, just a simple wash followed by H20 Guard and Gloss.

 

[Colonel]

I fully paint corrected my 2006 Evo 9 using all Adams Polishes products. I plan to do the same in the future with the Rav4. For now I've only washed it twice, just a simple wash followed by H20 Guard and Gloss.

You hand do or use a DA?

 

[rad4lenin]

You hand do or use a DA?

I used their "Swirl Killer" DA for the whole process.

 

[sam999]

I did not want to buy a buffer, so I got the pads that attaches to the power drill. If anyone is cheap like me =|.

Just clay'ed the hood this weekend and it's buttery smooth again , but need to do the rest of the car soon.

My current arsenal:
Cheap generic clay bar
Zaino Z-2 polish
Meguiar's ultimate liquid wax
Meguiar's ultimate quik detailer
Aerospace 303
Lexol leather cleaner
Zaino leather in a bottle
(Leather product seems to work okay with SofTex)

Going to order ATP AT-205 to see if it works good for door seals.

Mine is silver sky, so it does not look as dirty as the darker cars . I have not cleaned the wheel yet =|

 

[Colonel]

Going to order ATP AT-205 to see if it works good for door seals.

Thats interesting. Stop leak on door seals. In theory the chemistry is probably there (swelling). Would never have thought of that. Let us know how it goes. I usually clean seals with Aero303 and then apply Shin-Etsu grease from Honda (pull through from my MR2 TBar days).

 

[JFox562]

303 products are the best for UV protection.

Check out their web 303 website (aka Gold Eagle) or Amazon.

 

[glowedroid]

I use Meguiars #40 on all of the black plastic cladding / mud guards. Used it on my previous car on the black plastic as well. I think faded black plastic cladding looks awful when it goes to that ash grey and it helps protect it.

I do a touchfree automatic wash every few days and wash it by hand every 2 months or so as a deep clean.

 

[jon7chow]

Not that I have the Rav4 yet, but on my civic, Chemical Guys JetSeal followed by Pete's 53 wax. Seems to work well. When I get the new vehicle, likely try the whole claybar routine before a seal and wax. Interested in the claytowels and giving that a shot too.

 

[Numbers]

I did not want to buy a buffer, so I got the pads that attaches to the power drill. If anyone is cheap like me =|.

Just clay'ed the hood this weekend and it's buttery smooth again , but need to do the rest of the car soon.

My current arsenal:
Cheap generic clay bar
Zaino Z-2 polish
Meguiar's ultimate liquid wax
Meguiar's ultimate quik detailer
Aerospace 303
Lexol leather cleaner
Zaino leather in a bottle
(Leather product seems to work okay with SofTex)

Going to order ATP AT-205 to see if it works good for door seals.

Mine is silver sky, so it does not look as dirty as the darker cars . I have not cleaned the wheel yet =|

I bought a random orbital buffer years ago because I'm not a pro. Your rig will work but you have to be extremely careful on edges. A random orbital is safer for amateurs like myself.

 

[Colonel]

Not that I have the Rav4 yet, but on my civic, Chemical Guys JetSeal followed by Pete's 53 wax. Seems to work well. When I get the new vehicle, likely try the whole claybar routine before a seal and wax. Interested in the claytowels and giving that a shot too.

Huh...interesting! I never knew such a thing existed. Let us know how it works.

As for the clay and seal, I do find it does produces a smoother finish that stays smoother longer. My personal results (pearl white car) dont really show a better finish (more depth/sparkle/gloss).

 

[RTexasF]

I detailed professionally for quite some time. Now that I'm up in age I look for simple products and procedures to accomplish what I want. There are ways to cut corners time wise and still have a good looking ride. There are also times where machine correction is needed. You must educate yourself to decide what is needed in your particular vehicle/situation.

 

[Divad]

What I do is spend about $10 at the Touchless car wash... And then, I use a spray on wax on top of that.. All you do is spray it on and wipe with a microfiber towel.. Makes it shiny and protects the paint

 

[cash70]

I just don’t have much time available to do it myself. I believe I have mentioned before that our Mr Car Wash has unlimited packages. They start from a basic wash up to including an inside and out cleaning. You can go as many times as you want. So I go once a week for sure, sometimes 2 or 3 times.

It is even a better deal during the winter time to keep as much salt as possible off your car.

When I traded in my 2012 Venza with 200k in 2018 it was in pristine condition, both inside and out.

 

[Tip Tank]

I've always been a fan of Griot's Garage products...

 

[rsmallz]

Adam's shampoo, Jescar Powerlock+ sealant every 6 months, topped with Collinite 845 every 3 months. ONR rinseless wash when I'm crunched for time and Beadmaker to top it off. Rag Company microfiber towels and wash-mitt.

VRP to dress the tires and plastics.

Planning on correcting the paint and ceramic coat it in the future.

 

[IS4ME]

@cash70's thread made me wonder (very clean and shiny vehicle)...why dont we have a detailing thread? I know there are tons of products and people have tons of ways to do the same thing but conversation usually generate new ideas.

What are people doing to detail their Rav and get longevity out of the coatings/waxes/sealants.
What are the pain spots?

We are getting a dark vehicle (Blueprint or Mag Gray) so more care is needed to keep it looking fantastic.

BTW, I am the kind of guy that will wash a car in the rain and then dry and wax in the garage while all hell break loose outside...while having a brew...or eight...LOL!

Mother's 100%carnuba wax
Does a beautiful job and long lasting.
Takes some rubbing but worth it in the long run.
Do people really think spay and paste wax last,not!

 

[rad4lenin]

Adam's shampoo, Jescar Powerlock+ sealant every 6 months, topped with Collinite 845 every 3 months. ONR rinseless wash when I'm crunched for time and Beadmaker to top it off. Rag Company microfiber towels and wash-mitt.

Sounds like you watch Matt from Obsessed Garage on Youtube! Your process sounds very similar to his.