The reason I ask is that a friend of mine just bought a new Suburu and it seems to always look clean and shiny despite the weather outside. Even when it does get filthy, just blasting it with plain water sems to clean it very well. I imagine it has some sort of extra coating over the paint and I was wondering what are the best options (Clear Coat?) for doing that? I have a 2003 4Runner v8 Limited and would like to keep it as new looking as possible without having to wax/detail it all the time. I know next to nothing about this kind of thing so as much detail as anyone could provide would be very much appreciated.
Thanks much,
John

 

This will give you a good start:
FREE Detailer's Handbook for Griot's Garage
After a good clay, polish and wax your rig will glow in the dark like mine!

 

Welcome aboard!

I am guessing the overall response on here will be to do an initial complete wash with dawn to get the old stuff off then clay it and wax it using either Griots or Zaino products. Once you have done a complete waxing using either of those products, or whatever you end up choosing. Just wash it as often as you can, and as Brian (waskillywabbit) does add a little bit of liquid wax into your wash bucket while washing by hand to leave that little bit of shine and protection on the paint.

I have just hit the SURFACE of advice and many others will chime in as well...

Fink

ADDED: Well Brian beat me to it...just look at the shine on that Runner of his, and believe it or not, HE HAS GOTTEN IT DIRTY BEFORE

 

Yeah, what they said. You might have to put a couple hours into cleaning up the rig before you can sit back and see it sparkle. After you put the time in getting it there it is just a matter of the right steps and habits to keep it there. Regardless of upkeep, expect to at least wax every 3-5 months. Microfiber towels and really plush terry towels will protect your paint as you dry. Lambs wool wash mit, Auto Wash Soap (I like Meguairs Gold Class, Target or WalMart), 5 gallon bucket (so the dirt you wipe off goes to the bottom and stays offa the mit), and a qiuck detailing spray like Meg's Final Detail, Eimann Fabrik Instant Pearl, or the one Eagle makes to keep up the protective qualities of the wax on the rig. The more gloss you want, the more time you $pend. You can layer carnauba waxes up to 3 times with out wasting your time, synthetic (ie Klasse Sealant Glaze, or Collinite ) will take up to 2 coats and the carnauba on da top too.

:bounce2:

 

Corey has a great walk through on how to protect your vehicles paint. Just scroll down and click on the detailing section.
http://pnw4runners.com/tando/

 

I'm sure you will get a lot of opinons. For over the counter stuff, Mother's three step cleaner, sealer/glaze and wax is a pretty good package. Just remember PREP is everything! Mother's does a pretty good job for the price. If you want to go synthetic, my personal favorite is Zaino http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc nothing I've found last longer. If you REALLY want to do some reading, lurk over here: http://www.autopia.org/forums/index.php take a look at the hall of fame along with the reviews. Warning: hold onto your wallet, next to Yotatech, Autopia can get expensive!!!!

 

Zaino gets my vote. Haven't washed the truck in over a month, driven through rain, snow, ice, sand and salt and the truck doesn't look spotless, but it doesn't show hardly any signs of what it's been through.

 

For Clearcoat - use Zainos it is Polymer based and will bond with the Clearcoat. Most other waxes are carnuba based and will not hold up long depending on the climate.

If you live in the Southwest where the sun eats up everything use Zainos.

 

 

ZAINO!!!!!!!!

Been using Zaino for 5 years on all my vehicles.
IT's great!

Came in #1 by far last year in a 46 wax test in Guru Reports magazine.


Carnauba waxes have parafin oil ,silicone oil or banana oil(Zymol) which provides the shine.
Carnauba shines very little but protects.

A MeGuiars exec said in a I believe 4/00 Motor Trend article that synthetic polymers are the way to go with today's urethane paints.