How I Get My Frontier Body Clean and What I Use...

[kilago]

Just thought I'd share since I love cleaning/waxing my Frontiers. I'm curious as to what everyone else uses to clean their trucks.

I don't spend as much time on the wheels and the interior...I don't know why.
But that's really just wiping down. I don't wax my rims anymore. That's just a waste to me...I just wash them after the entire truck is done.

Like Fitz mentioned, always go top down...

For my once to twice a week regular wash/wax:

Supplies:
- Microfiber Towel (Costco has em for pretty cheap) - 2 of them
- Car soap (any brand...I don't really think this step is that crucial)
- A wash mit
- Bucket
- (P2S1 wax or Pinnacle Liquid Souveran wax) AND/OR (Evercoat Lubri-shine (optional))
About the wax, the Pinnacle Liquid Souveran seems to leave a harder coat, but not as refined and glossy as the P2S1. Both are really good waxes though. Leaves little/no residue...and doesn't leave the plastics marked up.
- Water Sprite Chamois (the best chamois I've found!)

1. Park in a shaded area if possible. Especially important if you have a black or dark colored truck.
2. Spray down the truck. Your goal here is to get rid of all the dust that's sitting on your truck, so you want to do a fairly good job. Also, get rid of the big crap stuck on the truck.
3. Rinse your wash mitt first! Get rid of anything that might scratch. Wash down the truck.
4. Rinse.
5. Do a quick chamois and dry off the car...small water streaks are fine.
6. Try to blow the spots under the mirror to get the water that sits in there and open the gas door to let that dry out.
7. (skip if lazy) Apply P2S1 wax or Souveran. Wipe off with 1st Microfiber towel. Flip towel frequently. Shake periodically to let wax residue out.
8. (optional if you waxed) Spray a fine mist of Lubri-shine and wipe down with 2nd microfiber towel.
9. Done.

Lazy way takes me about 1 hour.
Non-lazy way takes me about 2 hours.

For my two times a year job:

Supplies:
- Microfiber Towel (Costco has em for pretty cheap) - 3 of them
- Car soap (any brand...I don't really think this step is that crucial)
- A wash mit
- Bucket
- (P2S1 wax or Pinnacle Liquid Souveran wax) AND/OR (Evercoat Lubri-shine (optional))
About the wax, the Pinnacle Liquid Souveran seems to leave a harder coat, but not as refined and glossy as the P2S1. Both are really good waxes though. Leaves little/no residue...and doesn't leave the plastics marked up.
- Water Sprite Chamois (the best chamois I've found!)
- Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
- ClayMagic FINE grade clay bar (Unless your car is light, then Medium grade is okay)

1. Park in a shaded area if possible. Especially important if you have a black or dark colored truck.
2. Spray down the truck. Your goal here is to get rid of all the dust that's sitting on your truck, so you want to do a fairly good job.
3. Rinse your wash mitt first! Get rid of anything that might scratch. Wash down the truck.
4. Rinse.
5. Do a quick chamois and dry off the car...small water streaks are fine.
6. Try to blow the spots under the mirror to get the water that sits in there and open the gas door to let that dry out.
7. Clay bar. Spray Lubri-shine generously and use clay bar in straight back and forth motion over the body of the car. You just need to go over the same spot maybe 2-3 times.
8. Rinse car down.
9. Chamois quickly.
10. Apply Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant. (1st microfiber)
11. Apply P2S1 wax or Souveran. (2nd microfiber)
12. (optional if you waxed) Spray a fine mist of Lubri-shine. (3rd microfiber)
13. Done.

Takes me about half the day to do this one.

[StormNISMO]

Great procedure kilago!! I'm gonna have to try this out!! I think I've only washed my truck myself I usually just take it to a car wash and pay someone else to do it. But now that I have a driveway to use I'll have to get my lazy butt out there and give the truck its long awaited bath and wax job!!

[FitzIngarage]

I was reading something last night on a care care forum and someone said to always wash the dirtiest area first -- the wheels and tires. "Wow", I thought, "is that stupid advice or what?" Schyeah, right -- load up your fresh bucket of suds with gritty wheel dirt, THEN wash the body? Arrrgh. I always start at the top and work my way down, doing the wheels and tires LAST and with their own ugly wash mit that I use only for wheels and tires.

[kilago]

Ouch, that's bad advice...remind me not to go to that forum...

I've heard some people actually have two buckets...one to hold the soapy water and one to rinse off the mitt after each pass over the car...I guess to rinse the mitt of the dirt collected on it...I've never done that, but I could sort of understand the logic there...you'll keep the soapy water free of dirt that could stratch up ur paint.

[Hainsey05]

Sweet man, thats a thorough run through there. Ive noticed that Eagle One makes some good detailing products if youre looking to get a whole arrangement of chemicals and untensils. I used to work for a GMC dealership and we used all kinds of crazy stuff that had more uses than what it was intended for. We used to use the wheel acid for the chrome wheels (stains aluminum alloy thats why its only for chrome wheels) but the wheel acid was extremely good for washing the car! The acid gets any little fine nick and blemish off of your paint, and it also gets rid of any types of oils or grime that are on the body. i must say it is the best chemical to wash the cars with, but only about 1-2 every six months. the wheel acid dangerous and there are special things you have to keep in mind when washing your truck with it. If anyone is interested, i can tell you everything you need to know to use the wheel acid for a wash down. see ya

[Jeff024]

If you have any source of air (compressor and or Leaf blower) try using it sometime it will get all the water from the cracks that your microfiber cant.You can also use the air compressor on the inside of the truck just open all the doors and blow away.

You couldnt find a spot on my truck today ,started cleaning at 6am got done at about 2pm with a few breaks .

[Hainsey05]

i believe you by the pictures jeff, i dont think i could find a spot on that baby! looking good my freind

[masteryoda13]

Looks really great! I wouldn't get up at six in the morning to do anything to my truck though. Of course, I don't get up at six in the morning anytime, unless I accidently get woken up.

[kilago]

That is one CLEAN truck! Nice work man. Isn't it a great feeling when you're done cleaning the truck?

[navara-au]

Originally Posted by kilago

That is one CLEAN truck! Nice work man. Isn't it a great feeling when you're done cleaning the truck?

And it rains Lol !!
Somehow i find it alot more fun getting it dirty than cleaning it.