Cleaing a 150

[keencdk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close keencdk]

Hi guys, bit of a weird topic but I am just wondering what everyone does for cleaning their 150 Prado's?

We have been out in pretty dusty conditions and managed to get the inside looking pretty clean with the vacuum cleaner for carpets etc and pledge grabbit's for the hard surfaces. I washed the outside and under the car etc however I am wondering if there are any gotchya's where dust/sand/mud sits?

I did notice the rear section of chassis has a side hole which when I spray water in it pools for ages, coming out of one small hole only. This is the kind of area that I have seen in the past form rust in other 4wd's.

Also, what do people use for washing the outside, and do you wax/polish etc?

Cheers

Craig

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

I use a Staun massojet cleaning wand (http://piranhaoffroad.com.au/index.p...59e0aa42350d16) for getting into all the chassis and hard to reach places underneath the vehicle. Just wash it with a good soap and have polished the vehicle.

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

Take it to a detailer. I did this after our recent Canning trip and after I had spent much time hosing out underneath they still managed to end up with a large pile of dirt and sand on their floor.

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

I found the side steps/running boards hold a heap of dirt/sand. There also little pockets in the wheel arches that don't seem to serve any purpose other than to hold dirt.

I use truck wash with a karcher pressure cleaner, microfiber sponge and finish with a chamois.

Inside never gets too dirty thanks to the toyota floor mats. Just pull them out, wash them with the truck wash and give the carpets a snappy vacuum. I use Meguiars rich leather wipes on the leather, and the quick interior detail wipes on the other surfaces. http://www.meguiars.com.au/product_2...%20Care&show=1. This keeps the car smelling nice.

To clean the glass i just use dishwashing detergent in warm water and a wettex cloth.

[Keeper Member Find all posts View Profile Close Keeper]

I use a toothbrush, some fingerpuppets the kids don't really use anymore and soap I have collected from toilets around campgrounds that people have discarded. Takes a while but does the job.

[keencdk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close keencdk]

I found one of the worst places for dust was in the rear spoiler thing. I poured water up into there for a few minutes and it kept coming out orange, then I reached in and lifted the windscreen wiper and a heap more mud and gunk came out. There are a lot more places on the Prado to get dirt and dust stuck than on my 40 series landcruiser!!!

[VXWesty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VXWesty]

I use a Gerni pressure cleaner with "car nozzle" and brush for the main body but I do find that its diffcult to get the sand and dirt out from the rear door seal. After a good chamois dry, I still find dirt particles on top of the bumper / step at the rear door.

Inside is usually just sand soa quick vacuum fixes that up.

I always pay plenty of attention to underneath the car after a beach run to clear as much sand as salt as possible, but there's always a small pile of sand left in the garage the next day once it dries out

Windows get a final clean with windex or similiar.

[KIMBOPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close KIMBOPRADO]

I use CT18 as recommended by this old tread and the CT20 all inclusve wash and polish

http://www.pradopoint.com/archive/in.../t-13520.html?

Supercheap sell it as per link

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...92#Description

[dermie75 Member Find all posts View Profile Close dermie75]

I finally cleaned the inside of mine yesterday. I took the inner door lining off the rear door and there was a fair load of red dust in there. Be careful with it though. I lost 4 clips inside the door!

Was just using a bucket of water (make that multiple buckets) and old cloth nappy type material to clean it.

[dannyson Member Find all posts View Profile Close dannyson]

To learn how to 'clean a car properly' - look at Detailing World..... it has changed my life ..... but then I am a sad ba...rd!