Off-Roaders: How do you clean?

Porkanbeans

Porkanbeans

O RLY?
I'll be buying a Jeep Wrangler next year (or something similar) and I will definitely wheel with it. I've been thinking about cleaning it. Should I go to a cheap car wash bay at the Texaco and use their power washer to rinse the crap off and detail it when I get home? My plans would call for wheeling on Saturday and cleaning on Sunday.



Also, if there are any Wrangler owners out there, is it enjoyable to detail? What color do you have?



Thanks!
 
I used to have a red 98 wrangler and it was a blast to take into the mountains in AZ!! I miss that thing alot.

As for cleaning they are pretty easy. I reccomend the local do it yourself place to spray off the undercarriage ect with the pressure nozzle. The plastic windows can be a pain to take care of though. but as far as polishing ect. no sweat.
 
If its caked in mud, take it to a quick power washer to hoze it off. Make sure to get fender flares and underbody. Go home and give it a true wash. Atleast thats what I do.
 
My detailing partner owns a 94 Bronco and it's got a lift and tires, hes really into off-roading and he is an avid detailer like i am, he usually uses a power washer lightly on an angle to reduce the chance of scratching, then after that he gives it a good true washing. Usually washes it 2 times to makes sure he gets everything. Just know that if you are going to be off-roading a lot you are going to be polishing your truck a lot more. :rolleyes:
 
99 stock Jeep Wrangler, color is Chili Pepper Red. I find it easy to detail as there is not that much paint surface on a Wrangler compared to other cars. The front grill and windshield take a beating because they are so flat. The biggest problem with keeping it looking good is that the black fender flares fade to whitesh gray. I've tried numerous vinyl and rubber protectants with little success. About 8 weeks ago I removed the flares and applied 2 coats of "Forever Black" trim reconditioner (around $12) and I have been pleased with the results to date. It is easy to use a pressure sprayer wash wand around the wheel wells and undercarriage because there is lots of clearance. I take it home to finish the job.
 
2003 Rubicon and have been in love with it since purchase in December 2002. I love to play in the mud but your paint takes a beating (not to mention other mechanical parts, but that's another issue). I'm sort of new to true detailing but have been called a fanatic when it comes to the Rubi.



Wash it as soon as you get home. If you havenâ€â„¢t yet done so, a pressure washer isn't a bad investment. Care needs to be taken, however, as too much pressure can cause more damage than the mud such as removing the protective coating sprayed on the undercarriage in the factory. If you play in the mud, you may find that it eats through your wax (the NC clay is famous for that). So a good wash and a quick protective coat of wax is a must if you want to maintain the exterior. Also, be prepared to get underneath with a hose (regular nozzle) to get at all the paces dirt and grime will impregnate. For instance, I got stuck up to the doors in the Carolina mud (clay) about a year ago. Just last weekend I dropped the transfer case skid plate and found 3" to 4" of dried mud and stones.



True Jeepers don't go out wheeling on the weekend and display the carnage throughout the week. They go home after a day of fun (at an approved trail) and clean their rig because they know the damage leaving the crud on can do.



My Rubi was my first Wrangler purchase (always drove sports cars) and am hooked. Two popular sayings in the Jeep world:



(1) Jeep stands for "J"ust "E"mpty "E"very "P"ocket (due to the modifications you will absolutely get addicted to).



(2) Once a Jeep owner, always a Jeep owner. I've known guys that have owned one, sold it, regretted the sale, and bought another one.



Oh yeahâ€Â¦mine is metallic khaki. If you want to see a few pictures, check out the link:

http://www.rokmen.com/rok_sliders.html

These are a few of the aftermarket products I've purchase (front and rear bumper and rock sliders).
 
I've heard that to clean off your undercarriage, put a sprinkler under the car for a few hours. The kind that goes up and down, not side to side.



We have a dark green '01. Not sure what the specific color is. It's a breeze to detail because it's so small! The hardest part is getting behind the spare tire without removing it.



I've never had a problem with my fenders fading. I've always kept them dressed and protected since the day it was bought.
 
Porkanbeans said:
I'll be buying a Jeep Wrangler next year (or something similar) and I will definitely wheel with it. I've been thinking about cleaning it. Should I go to a cheap car wash bay at the Texaco and use their power washer to rinse the crap off and detail it when I get home?

Thanks!
Click to expand...



LMAO, no clean it in your driveway, lol. Sorry, of course go to a wand wash but be ready to get kicked out if the owner sees you coming in. When I used to wheel we'd get kicked out about 40% of the time. It is not worth it for $2 for those guys to clean the adobe up after your done. I'd put a thick a*s carnuba on friday and squeege off the big stuff while it's still wet after your done wheeling. And be prepared to know all the car washes in the area in case you get kicked out, lol. If you cleen in front of your house it will take hours to wash that stuff down the sewer, unless you have a field or something to wash your jeep off on. I had a Bronco and that thing wheeled like nothing I've ever seen. I sold it and regret selling it everyday. My friend had a levis edition jeep (brown/tan) and I have to say detailing it was almost a waste as far as appearances go. if you have a dark color detailing will make that thing look great but those light jeeps almost look better the more worn they get, character.
 
Thanks guys. Brady, I'm looking into a Rubi as well. I've been so anxious to get one ever since I started browsing the different Jeep forums out there. I have never been off roading. It seems like so much fun to do.



Maybe I'll just buy a low pressure washer from Lowe's or Costco and use it at home.
 
I sometimes go offroading but very lightly. But I do take care of my friends tahoe when he goes.



Heres his on 2 different occasions



148061.jpg


144812.jpg


Heres Him getting Me when I wasnt paying attention

144811.jpg
 
Some guys think the Rubi is too expensive for what you get. Others feel a real off-road Jeep is built, not bought. I disagree as long as you donâ€â„¢t think your Rubi is better than other Jeeps out there. In the end they're all TJs. Rubi's just takes some of the up-front work out of the equation. It sits slightly higher than Sports and X's, has ~31" MTRs, and the lockers. Out of the box it can handle most obstacles with ease (although you'll quickly find out that larger tires and a few more inches of lift will ultimately be needed/desired - which I have yet to do).



If you do it, pay the extra $$ and get the dual tops. You'll be happy you did.



Just taking a break from detailingâ€Â¦gotta get back to it. Z1 Polish, P21S, then Zaino. Maybe a top coat of Carnuba, "go to Home Depot, maybe Bed Bath and Beyondâ€Â¦I dunno if we'll have enough time!" ("Old School").
 
I recently bought a Bright Silver Metallic (dual black top) '04 Rubi and I love it. I don't think it's better than all other Jeeps out there, but it's definitely better than any other modern "stock" Jeep.



I'm amazed at the hills it's climbed up, and the crazy trails I've driven through with it. I was honestly scared when I climbed up my first huge hill (like a ~60° type incline) I kept thinking "there's no $%#%ing way my Jeep will make it up there... I'm going to flip backwards". I need to start taking the digital camera with me, because some people think you're exaggerating when you tell them about the hills you went up. Put the thing in 4L and lock the axles and it's hard to keep it from climbing. I first took it off-road with 450ish miles on it -- I cringed when I heard the first branch scrape down the side ;) It's so much fun driving places that seem like no vehicle should possibly be driving ;)



I love going to http://www.rubiconusa.com/showcase/all.asp and looking at the pictures... makes me want to take the Jeep down some trail somewhere... immediately ;)



I found this post because I'm looking for what wax to use on it... I use Zaino on all my other vehicles. Anyone have suggestions? How about buffing the top? I don't want to make it shiny, just get out a few scuffs.
 
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