Wash your GX...

[Ratchey]

Pulled up sections of the interior. I thought to myself, this isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. A lot of crap under the sills and seats as to be expected. Then I pulled the cover off of the second row drivers side seat belt mount. At first i thought it was packed with grease. Looked again and it looked like a honey/peanut butter mix. After trying to clean it, the best description I can come up with is someone took some bit-o-honey candy and melted it, then poured it down the seat belt mount and into the side panel. It was even under the step. It ranged from soft and gooey to completely solid and unscrapable.
The passenger side had a bunch of dried orange something from front to back. Could be orange drink, could be a leak in the rear washer fluid line. Was a bear to clean though.
*** One thing to note, under both front sills, there was paint damage down to metal. I put some PPF down until I can find some touch up paint.

 

[LTX200]

Round one of cleaning done. After washing the GX, I wiped down the whole thing with a waterless detailer spray. Spent about an hour dealing with the cargo rails and the mess underneath them. Then got to work with the claybar.
Tomorrow I will go at it with the buffer and some cutting compound then a polishing compound.
After that will finish up with Griot's Ceramic 3in1 wax.
I honestly don't think this vehicle has ever been hand washed or waxed.

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If you don’t mind, what’s your process and products when baselining a new-to-you car? TIA

 

[Ratchey]

If you don’t mind, what’s your process and products when baselining a new-to-you car? TIA

I normally wouldn't have to go through this much effort but this car was purchased sight unseen.
Exterior: I claybar the paint, then buff and polish then coat with Griots Ceramic 3in1 wax

Interior: Dismantle and clean everything. Used Chemical Guys Total Interior Protector and Cleaner on pretty much everything but the carpet. I used Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner but can't say I am a fan. Very slippery. I would normally shampoo the carpet but it was surprisingly clean compared to everything else. Also used Lysol w/Peroxide surface cleaner to clean the channels under the sills to try to kill anything that might try to grow. Also used an airhose to blast out under the dash. Was amazed at how much stuff came out from under there. ALmost expected to find traces of rodents but nothing.

Drivetrain: Amsoil for the diffs and transfer case. Toyota for the transmission and coolant. Mobile1 5w30 for engine. Mobile1 ATF for power steering. What ever decent brake fluid I can find at the time. Toyota oil and air filters and Kootek with charcoal for the cabin filter.
Assuming the process for the transmission is the same as the LX, I disconnect the hoses at the radiator and do a full fluid swap.

Hope that helps.

 

[LTX200]

I normally wouldn't have to go through this much effort but this car was purchased sight unseen.
Exterior: I claybar the paint, then buff and polish then coat with Griots Ceramic 3in1 wax

Interior: Dismantle and clean everything. Used Chemical Guys Total Interior Protector and Cleaner on pretty much everything but the carpet. I used Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner but can't say I am a fan. Very slippery. I would normally shampoo the carpet but it was surprisingly clean compared to everything else. Also used Lysol w/Peroxide surface cleaner to clean the channels under the sills to try to kill anything that might try to grow. Also used an airhose to blast out under the dash. Was amazed at how much stuff came out from under there. ALmost expected to find traces of rodents but nothing.

Drivetrain: Amsoil for the diffs and transfer case. Toyota for the transmission and coolant. Mobile1 5w30 for engine. Mobile1 ATF for power steering. What ever decent brake fluid I can find at the time. Toyota oil and air filters and Kootek with charcoal for the cabin filter.
Assuming the process for the transmission is the same as the LX, I disconnect the hoses at the radiator and do a full fluid swap.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! I’m pretty consistent with drivetrain maintenance, but looking for ways to improve the interior/exterior care of the car, so this is a good place to start!

 

[r2m]

I'm trying to get my wife to let me switch to silicone or a tattoo. I've caught my ring on various spots on our structure engine and I'm just waiting to lose a finger one day when it gets caught as I climb off quickly.

All I wear is a silicone band, except when we're going someplace nice, then I pull out a somewhat nicer solid silver band (not a fan of yellow gold, except for investment). Another great thing about silicone bands is you never have to have them resized as you either gain weight (myself, right now...) or lose weight.
Nor do I worry about having it slip off my finger when surfing. Generally fingers will get a little smaller in cold water and I've already lost one silver wedding band while surfing.

 

[CandyGram4Mongo]

Did the first pass using Chemical Guys #32 and the second pass with #36. It's decent stuff but I think there is probably much better out there. Just need to finish up these bottles.
Then did a nice coat with the Griots. Before I started, if you put a bottle on the hood and pushed it, it would not slide down, at all. Now you can set a bottle pretty much on the flatest part and it will slide right off. It has bothered me for the few weeks we have had it that when it rained, the water would just sit on the hood. Even driving in town it wouldn't blow off.
Now to tear out the interior and remove as much evidence of the kids as possible.

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which pad. i have the same chemical guys to go through and am interested in how it worked for you

 

[CandyGram4Mongo]

All I wear is a silicone band, except when we're going someplace nice, then I pull out a somewhat nicer solid silver band (not a fan of yellow gold, except for investment). Another great thing about silicone bands is you never have to have them resized as you either gain weight (myself, right now...) or lose weight.
Nor do I worry about having it slip off my finger when surfing. Generally fingers will get a little smaller in cold water and I've already lost one silver wedding band while surfing.

yes but you cannot open a beer bottle with a silicone band

put it on your board short string and it will
never come off. i do that after having lost 3 gold rings. now i have $6 tungsten ones

 

[Ratchey]

which pad. i have the same chemical guys to go through and am interested in how it worked for you

I use the Orange for cutting and the white for polishing. I have the Black for waxing but the Griots I use is easier to apply by hand.

 

[r2m]

yes but you cannot open a beer bottle with a silicone band

put it on your board short string and it will
never come off. i do that after having lost 3 gold rings. now i have $6 tungsten ones

For popping beer caps, I always have my Leatherman near by or a "church key" from the kitchen...
Having a CCW, I NEVER drink anywhere away from home if I drive. CA has a zero tolerance (read "zero" alcohol when driving) for CCW operators.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

For popping beer caps, I always have my Leatherman near by or a "church key" from the kitchen...
Having a CCW, I NEVER drink anywhere away from home if I drive. CA has a zero tolerance (read "zero" alcohol when driving) for CCW operators.

Non-drinker here too for not only the reason you mention but also with me being a first responder I always need to be on my game and stone cold sober 24/7.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Round one of cleaning done. After washing the GX, I wiped down the whole thing with a waterless detailer spray. Spent about an hour dealing with the cargo rails and the mess underneath them. Then got to work with the claybar.
Tomorrow I will go at it with the buffer and some cutting compound then a polishing compound.
After that will finish up with Griot's Ceramic 3in1 wax.
I honestly don't think this vehicle has ever been hand washed or waxed.

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Did your GX have roof rails from the factory or were they never installed? I'm looking to possibly delete mine until I get an aftermarket rack for a rooftop tent. I'm really concerned about water intrusion if I take these off.

 

[Ratchey]

Did your GX have roof rails from the factory or were they never installed? I'm looking to possibly delete mine until I get an aftermarket rack for a rooftop tent. I'm really concerned about water intrusion if I take these off.

They were factory installed. I pulled them off to clean.
If you want to delete your rails you will need all of these pieces, minus what is already there (which I believe is the front and back 2 pieces)
Otherwise you have 6 holes on each side with direct entry into the cab. You could try filling them with silicone but you will need to remove it for your aftermarket rack.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

They were factory installed. I pulled them off to clean.
If you want to delete your rails you will need all of these pieces, minus what is already there (which I believe is the front and back 2 pieces)
Otherwise you have 6 holes on each side with direct entry into the cab. You could try filling them with silicone but you will need to remove it for your aftermarket rack.

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Awesome thanks!