Newbie from Oklahoma

[nitronic]

Hi all, I`m neither an auto detail enthusiast nor a business owner, but I found this by way of a model-specific automobile discussion forum.

Last week I bought a new vehicle for the first time in my life and decided to see what I could learn here about keeping the finish in great condition. Someone else in my house already took it through an automatic car wash (the kind that throws a big mop on the car) and has a few small scuffs that I`m hoping will come out after a little education from this fine discussion forum, a few bucks on some products, and some elbow grease. Needless to say, she will not take it through that machine again.

I look forward to learning.

Thanks!

Nic

[Jesse@Autopia]

Welcome to Autopia!!

[Pats300zx]

Welcome to Autopia !!!!

[GearHead_1]

Welcome aboard.

[Bunky]

Welcome !!

[mjlinane]

Welcome to Autopia!

[tropicsteve]

welcome to AF. what kind of vehicle did you get? post some pics if you can.

[4u2nvinmtl]

Welcome to Autopia!

To get you started, I would recommend the 2 bucket wash method with grit guards (to prevent further wash induced scratches).

2x 5-gallon buckets
2x grit guards
1x Car soap (can`t go wrong with Meguiar`s gold class car wash shampoo & conditioner)
1x Wash mitt (chinchilla microfiber or better)
3x Microfiber drying towels (the rule of thumb is, made in Korea > made in China)
8x All purpose Microfibers (get the cheap bulk ones for the wheels, exhaust tips, interior, etc. DONT use them on the paint)

[Ronkh]

hi

[nitronic]

welcome to AF. what kind of vehicle did you get? post some pics if you can.

Thank you as well as everyone else! It`s a 2015 4Runner SR5 4wd. I haven`t taken any pictures yet and it`s done nothing but rain almost every day since we bought it a week ago, I`ll try to get some soon including the scratches. Exterior is "Super White."

It does have dark cloth seats inside, aluminum alloy wheels, and for some reason a chrome exhaust tip that I didn`t ask for but didn`t mind having.

Welcome to Autopia!

To get you started, I would recommend the 2 bucket wash method with grit guards (to prevent further wash induced scratches).

2x 5-gallon buckets
2x grit guards
1x Car soap (can`t go wrong with Meguiar`s gold class car wash shampoo & conditioner)
1x Wash mitt (chinchilla microfiber or better)
3x Microfiber drying towels (the rule of thumb is, made in Korea > made in China)
8x All purpose Microfibers (get the cheap bulk ones for the wheels, exhaust tips, interior, etc. DONT use them on the paint)

I`m a little dumb on lingo (grit guard was new to me), but I have used what I believed to be the 2 bucket method before. So according to this clip I just found ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1ETEKTqbw ), combined with your recommendation of 2 grit guards, I need one per bucket, and after scrubbing each section/panel, dip in the water-only bucket, scrub around on the guard at the bottom, then dip in the soapy water bucket, scrub on the grit guard in that bucket, and then proceed to the next panel/section?

Anywho... I`m open to trying different wash products and methods. Since I`m currently at Zero, I`m interested in learning about Zainos (I once knew a detailer who used their stuff) and Chemical Guys products, since I`m open to being lazy and not pulling out the hose, as well as any other lazy/non-lazy products and methods.

I`m not sure what the dealership used, if anything, to protect the finish, but I think I need to apply something sooner than later while it`s still new.

I`ll poke around and see what I can learn.

Thanks again!

Nic

[conquistador]

Where in Oklahoma are you located? Im in Tulsa. Maybe I can give you a hand or some advice.

[nitronic]

Photos are not working on computer at work...I`ll try later at home.

Where in Oklahoma are you located? Im in Tulsa. Maybe I can give you a hand or some advice.

I live in bville. Advice is always good to have, I don`t make it down to Tulsa all that much. I`ll let you know if that changes, and thank you for the offer.


Nic

[Nav45]

Hi nitronic, welcome!

I`m also a newbie and have been learning the past few months. Congratulations on your new car.

[nitronic]

Okay, I finally learned how to do upload photos here.
Wide shot:

Scratch #1:

Scratch #2--The width of this one is less than a quarter of an inch and roughly an inch and a quarter long.


Never going to an automatic carwash with mops again

I`ll try to find the appropriate forum about getting rid of or concealing those without having to visit a body shop if possible.

[nitronic]

Welcome to Autopia!

To get you started, I would recommend the 2 bucket wash method with grit guards (to prevent further wash induced scratches).

2x 5-gallon buckets
2x grit guards
1x Car soap (can`t go wrong with Meguiar`s gold class car wash shampoo & conditioner)
1x Wash mitt (chinchilla microfiber or better)
3x Microfiber drying towels (the rule of thumb is, made in Korea > made in China)
8x All purpose Microfibers (get the cheap bulk ones for the wheels, exhaust tips, interior, etc. DONT use them on the paint)

I couldn`t find anything made out of Chinchilla last night when I went shopping. Is this one of those things available in the Autopia store?
Here`s what I bought last night, thanks for the suggestions:
Beginner Supplies