Just curious.....this will be my first serious cleaning of my FJC since purchasing it a little over a month ago. Up until now, I have just rinsed it with water. Unfortunately, the wife's Odyssey eats up all of the available space in our "2 car" garage and my FJC will be parked in outdoor elements 24/7. What products do most of you use to care for the exterior/interior of your FJCs and would recommend for protection from the elements? Of course I know about Meguiar's and Mother's. I have heard decent things about Poorboy's. Any other recommendations. BTW, the FJC got REALLY dirty after an off-roading adventure this weekend.
After using most everything on the market in the last few years my pick is Zaino. I just put a coat on my wife's black Pontiac Vibe and it look amazing. I was surprised at what that one coat would do. The Zaino is kinda pricey but works great.
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"Me thinks the world is crazy save thee and me, and at times I wonder about thee." Samuel Johnson, 18th century English writer
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'07 Black Cherry 5AT, CQ, GY, UR, C8, 2Q, 37, C7, added Toyota ski rack attachments, passenger armrest, 2 rear door storage nets, K&N drop in filter, and a Cyclone air prefilter
I used to use Meguiars but just recently switched to Turtle Wax Ice after many members here recommended it. It really is nice because if you bump into the black, trim parts, it does not leave that white haze.
I Love It!
Good Luck and welcome!
Kim
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Kim
Breath in, breath out, move on... Jimmy Buffet
The Cherry Garcia!!! '07 Black Cherry 4x2!!! Came home on August 10, 2006! Modded, trust me!! TLCA Member 18935
"New Orleans is the cradle of eccentrics. New Orleans is a gumbo, a melting pot of food, mood, mud and blood, where the Caribbean begins or ends, depending on your point of view." Jimmy Buffet....
Zaino is indeed some good stuff. I've used it in the past. But I like to try different stuff and have tried many.
Lately I have used Griots Garage goods. Just yesterday I spent the day removing tree branch scrapes from the lovely FJ. I used Griots Machine Polish 3 and a Porter Cable random orbital polisher. Went over the whole thing, then followed it up by the ever-so-durable Griots Sealant (again applied with the Porter Cable unit). That stuff SHINES, it's tough and it lasts a long time. Most of the minor scratches are gone as are any swirl marks. Only a couple of deeper scratches remain, but I didn't want to cut too deep into my one year old paint.
Looks better than new. The Black Diamond is amazing when treated right.
I think the biggest thing is attention to detail and the frequency of application. Most stuff is quite good these days.
The best car wash soap for in-between waxes that I have found is Meguires Gold Class.
Enjoy your shine!
Zaino is indeed some good stuff. I've used it in the past. But I like to try different stuff and have tried many.
Lately I have used Griots Garage goods. Just yesterday I spent the day removing tree branch scrapes from the lovely FJ. I used Griots Machine Polish 3 and a Porter Cable random orbital polisher. Went over the whole thing, then followed it up by the ever-so-durable Griots Sealant (again applied with the Porter Cable unit). That stuff SHINES, it's tough and it lasts a long time. Most of the minor scratches are gone as are any swirl marks. Only a couple of deeper scratches remain, but I didn't want to cut too deep into my one year old paint.
Looks better than new. The Black Diamond is amazing when treated right.
I think the biggest thing is attention to detail and the frequency of application. Most stuff is quite good these days.
The best car wash soap for in-between waxes that I have found is Meguires Gold Class.
Enjoy your shine!
x2. I'm a die hard Griots Garage & 3M fan. Looks like you need to start with a good pressure spray first then use a clay bar, wax and finish with polish. Griots Garage cannot usually be found at any retail establishment. Pretty much only mail order.
malco makes great products. the ones that i have yet to find anything better is their cherry flash wax, leather and plastic cleaner (wonders on the interior), nano spray wax (safe for all black trim, is not a dressing, a protective wax that lasts leaves a nice sheen on the plastic), and their wash and wax is awesome.
malco is a detailers product line. it can be found through a distributor in your area. it blows away any product you can get off a shelf.
x2. I'm a die hard Griots Garage & 3M fan. Looks like you need to start with a good pressure spray first then use a clay bar, wax and finish with polish. Griots Garage cannot usually be found at any retail establishment. Pretty much only mail order.
Should I be using a clay bar already (only had the vehicle for a month or so)? I did actually find the Griot's product line after conducting a Google search. Will their wax leave white residue if it gets on the trim/plastic?
Zaino is one of the best waxes I have ever seen, and I've been buffing with a high speed since 1997. Next would be just about any wax by 3M, followed by the show car glaze every time you freakin can. Here's how mine looks without wax..but the paint feels like it is. I trail ride every weekend so I never go long enough without screwing it up to wax it before I have to work out tree scratches again.
People tell me "you can tell someone who never off roads" I dare them to try to follow me next time I go...I included my brand of trail pinstriping in the pics.
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