One thing I love about my LC is how nice it looks and how little I need to do keep it looking nice. I have had my car for 4-5 months now and was debating whether I should send it for a detail and full buff wax before the harsh salts of winter cake up on it. I figured since many mudders off road their vehicles and get it dirtier then I get mine I would hear how the paint holds up.
How many mudders get their Cruisers detailed?
- Thread starter Reckless
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I detail mine 2x year. That keeps the in-between washes super easy and fast. Pressure washer comes in handy to get up around skid plates, sliders, etc. - otherwise a full detail really sets you up for easier ongoing maintenance.
I've used JetSeal from Chemical Guys, and you might consider Menzerna Power Lock before any sort of carnuba wax - these sealants are really the best protection I've seen / read from northern climate salt road conditions. Wax will give you a deep shine, but not a lot of paint protection from a durability and longevity standpoint.
I'm not an expert by any means, just have had good advice from MUD members and my own experience. You'll find a lot of opinions here, either to your thread or buried under others.
I've used JetSeal from Chemical Guys, and you might consider Menzerna Power Lock before any sort of carnuba wax - these sealants are really the best protection I've seen / read from northern climate salt road conditions. Wax will give you a deep shine, but not a lot of paint protection from a durability and longevity standpoint.
I'm not an expert by any means, just have had good advice from MUD members and my own experience. You'll find a lot of opinions here, either to your thread or buried under others.
Like Kevin, my vehicles get detailed twice per year. In the Fall to buff out the pin stripes. In the Spring to get rid of the winter crud. But unlike Kevin, I am lazy. So I pay someone to do it. 
I primarily have it detailed for the interior. The exterior is usually a mess within a week of having it detailed.
I primarily have it detailed for the interior. The exterior is usually a mess within a week of having it detailed.
Last edited:
I have mine gone through once a year mainly inside because of kids. Wife borrows the cruiser and let's all the kids in the neighborhood eat in it.
- Thread starter
- #6
Do car detail shops do this?
It seems majority do detail their car once a year, so I am going to send mine in for detailing next weekend before snow hits. Mostly so everything beads off and salt doesn't cake up.
I am sure you could find one that would. I have a hard time paying to get my vehicle detailed, because you typically pay quite a lot of markup for what you're getting.
I was looking for an undercoating and Fluid Film and POR-15 seem to be some of the more reliable products. I went with Fluid Film because it can be applied anywhere and everywhere.
I am a cheap bastard so I just used the aerosol FF. I have a Makita rotary buffer to apply the Collinite, which saves a lot of time in applying the wax. Definitely a good idea to have these on before the salt, rust never sleeps!
I do a full detail upon purchase.
After that, they are all garaged. I do a quick detail after every drive, and wash it every 12 months. Looks as good as new. Helps that mine never sees rain. Sees snow one time a year, and gets the wash right away.
After that, they are all garaged. I do a quick detail after every drive, and wash it every 12 months. Looks as good as new. Helps that mine never sees rain. Sees snow one time a year, and gets the wash right away.
Chemical Guys JetSeal is an amazing product, should last about 6 months. If my username doesn't give it away, detailing is a hobby of mine. I JetSeal my 200 about 4 times per year and wipe it down after every wash with Chemical Guys V07 spray sealant. Word of advice, make sure you JetSeal all of the plastic lenses as well, works great to keep them from oxidizing. Can be used on glass too. They don't make a product that I don't like, I buy everything from them.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Do you do much wheeling in your 570?
About 3x a year. I'm OCD, but also appreciate what my LC can do. The right products help make it easier to wash, plus protect the finish from pinstripes as well. Just clay-bar'd, polished and sealed my new-to-me '14 200 yesterday.
Last edited:
I am really thorough with my cleaning and usually do an undercarriage wash once a month. I use specific microfiber towels and car shampoo's during rinsing and specific MF towels for drying. Once i'm done with that i give the LC a once over with synthetic wax to protect it between washes. Lets not forget to begin with clean-cleaning equipment so no dust gets ground into the paintwork. I follow up with a polish and protectant atleast 3 times a year but that doesn't keep the rock chips and parking door dings away 
I am really thorough with my cleaning and usually do an undercarriage wash once a month. I use specific microfiber towels and car shampoo's during rinsing and specific MF towels for drying. Once i'm done with that i give the LC a once over with synthetic wax to protect it between washes. Lets not forget to begin with clean-cleaning equipment so no dust gets ground into the paintwork. I follow up with a polish and protectant atleast 3 times a year but that doesn't keep the rock chips and parking door dings away
Wow. I bet it looks great.
I clay barred mine yesterday. Try to do it once a year. Other than that, wash when dirty and keep in the garage.
Super White is a pretty low maintenance color, so other than some pin stripping to the clear coat, looks great.
Yours sound amazing!I am really thorough with my cleaning and usually do an undercarriage wash once a month. I use specific microfiber towels and car shampoo's during rinsing and specific MF towels for drying. Once i'm done with that i give the LC a once over with synthetic wax to protect it between washes. Lets not forget to begin with clean-cleaning equipment so no dust gets ground into the paintwork. I follow up with a polish and protectant atleast 3 times a year but that doesn't keep the rock chips and parking door dings away
- Thread starter
- #15
Thanks I ordered this stuff. My guy will use it this weekend. He is charging me $270 for the detail. He has four guys working on the car for 3-4 hours. It includes the clay bar. Not sure what that is but I believe it will clean the paint real nice.
