Ultimate First Car Wash for Titan

[GA-matt]

I'm writing this in hopes that other new (and existing) Titan owners will find it helpful in some way. As the proud owner of a brand spanking new Titan, I wanted to give the truck a good cleaning and do it right. As the most expensive vehicle I have ever purchased, only the best would do. Plus I have that "new car syndrome" where I'm actually motivated enough to spend the money and take the time to do it perfectly. Who knows... 6 months from now when the newness has gone it will probably fall victim to the classic $9.99 special at the local carwash. However, for now the Titan gets the royal treatment.

After collecting opinions/recommendations from many users on this site and spending a lot of time doing some research and reading, I believe I have come up with the ultimate first cleaning for the Titan. I have put together a set of instructions and list of cleaning products that I feel cannot be beat. So for those individuals out there wondering how to give their Titan the best first cleaning, I hope this helps.

First, the cleaning products:

Dawn dish detergent (normal/original formula)
Simple Green (household cleaner)
Meguiars Quick Clay Detailing System
Sonus Gloss Shampoo (carwash)
Klasse All-In-One (acrylic paint sealer/wax)
Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritz (spray polish)
303 Aerospace Protectant
Sheepskin wash mitt
Soft bristle wheel scrub brush
Synthetic chamois
Sonus Der Wunder drying towel
Sonus Der Wunder applicator
Foam wax applicator
MicrofiberPlus 15"x15" Terry Cloth Microfiber Towel
Sonus Ultimate Detailing Towel
100% cotton terry cloth towels (made it USA only)
5 gallon plastic wash bucket

Now for the fun part... the cleaning:

1. Take all the microfiber and terry cloth towels and run them through the washing machine. I used Dreft laundry detergent. It's the most recommended detergent for babies because it has no perfumes and will rinse away without leaving any residue on the fabrics. Be sure to run through the final rinse cycle twice to ensure all the detergent is out of the towels. DO NOT add fabric softener.

2. Dry the towels using low heat/gentle cycle. DO NOT add fabric softener or anti-static sheets. Don't be alarmed if the microfiber towels come out with a bit of static, this is normal. This static helps the towels to pickup the water, dust, etc. off the truck.

3. Find a nice shady spot to wash the truck out of the sun. Also, make sure the body of the truck is cool and not heated by the sun or engine.

4. Wash the wheels. Start by spraying on a good coating of Simple Green. Then using the soft bristle scrub brush, wash the wheels using Dawn. This should remove any dirt and brake dust that has collected on the wheels. You may have to rinse and rewash to get a completely clean wheel.

5. Wash the truck. Start by using the sheepskin mitt and Dawn. The Dawn will remove any cleaner or wax the dealer may have applied, as well as any grease or dirt that has built up. Be sure to use a new bucket of water and Dawn... not the same as you used for the wheels. Also, occasionly wash out the sheepskin mitt incase it has any debris trapped within its fibers.

6. Using the Meguiars Quick Clay, remove any embedded dust or debris that is on the surface of the truck. Be careful not to over do it and be sure to use the lubricant as directed.

7. Wash the truck again. This time, use the sheepskin mitt and the Sonus Gloss Shampoo. Don't be alarmed if the shampoo doesn't bubble or foam up very much. Trust me, it will do a superb job!

8. Completely dry the truck using the synthetic chamois followed up by the Sonus Der Wunder drying towel (the towel will collect the left over water residue from the chamois). These towels work great!

9. Wax the truck. Using the Sonus Der Wunder applicator, apply the Klasse All-In-One to the truck. Do a small area at a time and wipe off using the MicrofiberPlus 15"x15" Terry Cloth Microfiber towel. There's no required dry time and this stuff will work on anything... don't be afraid if you get it onto the plastic or chrome. It will wipe right off and protect anything it gets on. Goes on very easy and comes off very easy... couldn't be any easier! This is also a great product to put on the chrome and wheels.

10. Use the 100% cotton terry cloth towels to clean inside lip of doors, under the hood, and any other out of site areas you wish to clean.

11. Detail the inside. Using the Sonus Ultimate Detailing towel, get it damp and wipe down the entire inside of the truck (dash, console, door panels, glass, etc.). These towels work great at picking up dust and holding on to it.

12. Apply protectant. Using the foam applicator pad, apply the 303 Aerospace protectant to all trim. Also apply this to the plastic on the outside of the truck and tires. It doesn't leave a very noticeable shine, but it will certainly hold up better than anything else out there and protect the best.

13. Polish and shine up. After a few days have passed, apply the Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritz and polish using the MicrofiberPlus 15"x15" Terry Cloth Microfiber towel. You will be amazed at the results.

14. Enjoy your new truck and watch it shine!

I'm sure some will read all this and think it's over kill. However, I promise you there's no better way to wash and clean that new Titan. You won't be disappointed with the results! The products mentioned are a little more expensive than others, but these are top of the line items and will last longer than others. There are also other products out there that work great. However, from what I've read, researched, and used... this list seems to work best in my opinion. All together, it took me about 8 hours time to completely clean the Titan... it's one big monster, but one that really shines!

Good luck!

[GETSOMZ28]

I dont think you need to use dawn before your regular wash. The AIO will remove anything that is on the paint for you since it is a cleaner (not wax per se). I would also recommend Klasse Sealant after the AIO. They work very well together (known as the Klasse twins). Just wipe on and immediately wipe off. You dont need to wait for it to dry (it will be harder to get off if your do). Do a second coat after a 24-hour period to give you a long lasting protective barrier (it can be layered unlike waxes).

[drags1998]

I would NOT RECOMMEND using DAWN, Use a good quality CAR WASH SOAP!!!! it REALLY does a better job.

[rfrench102]

Thanks, but I'll stick to the car wash.

[BiXLL]

WOW!!!!! I wish I had your time and energy!

[HemiETR]

Dawn, that's a morning thing isn't it. Not something you use to wash your TITAN with. I think Meguiars is the best stuff on the market. You forgot to use hot water in the 5 gal. bucket.

[smoothTitan]

dawn is a good first product because it washes away some old wax and whatever else it touches. but i wouldnt use it anymore after that.

[Slurppie]

Mix some of the Simple Green with the water and it will cut the wax/grease as well.

[Titan_TX]

Originally Posted by drags1998

I would NOT RECOMMEND using DAWN, Use a good quality CAR WASH SOAP!!!! it REALLY does a better job.

No, Dawn is recommended to remove any grease and old wax buildup off the vehicle. Many and I mean many detailers recommend it and manufactures such as meguires and Zaino.

[OnebadSE]

I use whatever brand of dishwashing liquid in the house. But only to remove the old wax before I re-wax it. Otherwise you'll have no protection. Dawn, Polmolive...all the same junk, they'll all get the job done. For the raised white lettering on the tires, Simple Green works ok but I find Bleach White works best. It also remove crud on the tires so any kind of Tire Shine product will work better.

[Bayou Titan]

My ultimate carwash has fewer steps and looks better afterwards: Nicollette Sheridan

[Slurppie]

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

My ultimate carwash has fewer steps and looks better afterwards: Nicollette Sheridan

[smoothTitan]

best things for whitewalls hands down is bleach white and a sand stone rock. try it

[gstlouis]

I spent $3-$4 at the local self serve car wash. "Spot free" rinse after the wash and let it air dry. Got the job done in a few minutes and the truck looks pretty OK. Biggest rig in my apartment complex parking lot.

Greg

[rcflier_97]

Instead of debating about Dawn dish soap, GA-Matt why don't you just come and show me your technique. I'll take good notes as I observe.