View Poll Results: How Often Do You Wash Your Lexus?
As Needed
196
22.17%
Weekly
376
42.53%
Every 2 Weeks
193
21.83%
Once a Month
67
7.58%
Every Other Month
34
3.85%
I Don't Care
18
2.04%
Voters: 884. You may not vote on this poll
How Often Do You Wash Your Lexus?
01-15-08, 01:24 PM
#138
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: WA
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i put usually every 2 weeks..but that also depends on the weather..like recently its been raining for weeks now..and when it was decent..it was only decent for a bit then it would rain again..or be FREEZING cold to where my fingers would get frozen trying to wash my car
01-18-08, 01:25 PM
#139
Lexus Fanatic
I try to wash it once a week and i try to wax it once a month with Zymol. Jnauary is rough in Chicago, salt is everywhere and it is way too cold to wash it in the do it yourself bays. If I am in the area, I stop by Lexus for th free wash (Free-They build it into the price like the first service). If it is freezing out, Lexus shuts the carwash down due to the freezing of the wash pads and potential to scratch the cars.
01-20-08, 11:48 AM
#141
Chris
02-15-08, 05:27 PM
#145
Just got my LS 400 -- Spent 100$ on all the necessary chemicals/tools/micro's etc to spend a good couple hours on her tommorow. This is what I consider the 'first' major wash. This one will be the basis for the maintenance washes from here on out. -- It doesn't look bad as is, but it really needs some wax. So I bet I'll put a good 2-3 hours at least into it.
It is just like maintaining your engine,.. you can get one that runs ok, but needs some work.. do the major work on the inside, then maintain it from there on out.
So initial wash/wax/claybar/detail hours and hours-- From there, probably once every 2 weeks or so, and that wash will be an hour or less.
I almost bought a buffer, but I think I do a better job with elbow grease.. If I had a professional grade buffer and was taught how to use it without potentially messing up the paint I know I could get a better shine, but I don't do bad by hand. For some reason I am stuck on hard paste wax -- I've never fell into the liquids. Something about the waxing on, and letting haze and then buffing off bit by bit that is nice.
I do need to touch up some spots where rocks have hit etc,.. I checked out some stores for touch up paint, but none had my Champagne color. Willl any Lexus dealership have a 1994 LS 400 Champagne color? If so how much are they gonna charge me for it?
Also, I was thinking after applying the touch up, it wise to perhaps, the next day, put on a dab of clear coat? Or no?
It is just like maintaining your engine,.. you can get one that runs ok, but needs some work.. do the major work on the inside, then maintain it from there on out.
So initial wash/wax/claybar/detail hours and hours-- From there, probably once every 2 weeks or so, and that wash will be an hour or less.
I almost bought a buffer, but I think I do a better job with elbow grease.. If I had a professional grade buffer and was taught how to use it without potentially messing up the paint I know I could get a better shine, but I don't do bad by hand. For some reason I am stuck on hard paste wax -- I've never fell into the liquids. Something about the waxing on, and letting haze and then buffing off bit by bit that is nice.
I do need to touch up some spots where rocks have hit etc,.. I checked out some stores for touch up paint, but none had my Champagne color. Willl any Lexus dealership have a 1994 LS 400 Champagne color? If so how much are they gonna charge me for it?
Also, I was thinking after applying the touch up, it wise to perhaps, the next day, put on a dab of clear coat? Or no?
02-19-08, 05:31 PM
#146
Driver
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: PA
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Question for those of you who recommended Meguires. Consumer reports says that Turtle Wax is best for new car finishes (I just got a 2008 ES350). You all still feel Meguires is best? Also, what is a detailing spray and is it an abrasive? Two other questions, what do you use on the alloy wheels and what do you use on the inside? The owners' manual only recommends a damp cloth for the inside....? Thanks for your help.
03-11-08, 02:17 PM
#147
Since it can go 100+ days here without rain, I can go for a very long time between 'full' washes.
I just use my California Auto Duster regularly, and Zaino Z6 to keep it clean, with a bit of washing on the front end and lower panels.
I either drive one of my jeeps, or my F350 when it rains.
I just use my California Auto Duster regularly, and Zaino Z6 to keep it clean, with a bit of washing on the front end and lower panels.
I either drive one of my jeeps, or my F350 when it rains.
03-26-08, 05:24 PM
#149
Wanted to comment now, some time after my purchase, on how I REALLY ended up washing/cleaning/detailing my car. 
I end up spending closer to $500.00 with 30+ cleaning supplies, Polishes, glaze, waxes, My UDM Buffer, Pads, Dozens of microfibers, and on and on.
Went from a 'couple of hours' -- To better than 40+ hours so far. (wild guess there).
It is just like maintaining your engine,.. you can get one that runs ok, but needs some work.. do the major work on the inside, then maintain it from there on out.
While this is true -- I've ended up going for a bit 'better' look than the last time I did it -- Ending up spending more time each 'detail'. I've yet to *just* wash it and be done with it. I'm getting close though. =)
So initial wash/wax/claybar/detail hours and hours-- From there, probably once every 2 weeks or so, and that wash will be an hour or less.
The 2 weeks was a good estimate. Every 2 weeks is time for at least a wash.
How wrong I was here!
As I learned, and experienced. Nothing replaces a good professional grade Buffer for polishing. Waxing by hand is just fine, always -- but you simply cannot polish a car like a machine can with any amount of hours.
I use liquid wax now, exclusively .. heh. I said I was a hard wax guy -- I've been converted.
Never got an answer about the dealership - -and still need to do this step. I got the 'autozone' touch up paint, for abotu 8$ -- It doesn't match the color.. not even close. So I don't use it.
Just got my LS 400 -- Spent 100$ on all the necessary chemicals/tools/micro's etc to spend a good couple hours on her tommorow. This is what I consider the 'first' major wash. This one will be the basis for the maintenance washes from here on out. -- It doesn't look bad as is, but it really needs some wax. So I bet I'll put a good 2-3 hours at least into it.
Went from a 'couple of hours' -- To better than 40+ hours so far. (wild guess there).
It is just like maintaining your engine,.. you can get one that runs ok, but needs some work.. do the major work on the inside, then maintain it from there on out.
So initial wash/wax/claybar/detail hours and hours-- From there, probably once every 2 weeks or so, and that wash will be an hour or less.
I almost bought a buffer, but I think I do a better job with elbow grease.. If I had a professional grade buffer and was taught how to use it without potentially messing up the paint I know I could get a better shine, but I don't do bad by hand. For some reason I am stuck on hard paste wax -- I've never fell into the liquids. Something about the waxing on, and letting haze and then buffing off bit by bit that is nice.
As I learned, and experienced. Nothing replaces a good professional grade Buffer for polishing. Waxing by hand is just fine, always -- but you simply cannot polish a car like a machine can with any amount of hours.
I use liquid wax now, exclusively .. heh. I said I was a hard wax guy -- I've been converted.
I do need to touch up some spots where rocks have hit etc,.. I checked out some stores for touch up paint, but none had my Champagne color. Willl any Lexus dealership have a 1994 LS 400 Champagne color? If so how much are they gonna charge me for it?
03-28-08, 07:39 AM
#150
Lead Lap
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CT
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I watch based on the weather. If it's going to be nicer more than a couple of days, I go for it, if not I wait for the weather to pass over. I started using my oem car cover before it rains and I haven't had to clean it still Lexus did last week.