[Deidre]

Hello all,

My new Pilot is 5 weeks old and loving it so far. I have read through this forum on a number of issues, and am so glad to find such a wealth of knowledge from other owners.

This is my first white vehicle. I have about decided OCD people should not own white vehicles. After just spending a week in the muddy mountains and 10 hours on the interstate, I had a tough day yesterday cleaning it up again.

Although I have 3 men in the house, washing my vehicle falls to me. I am a 45 yo female, and don't have the stamina I used to. Since I had my last vehicle for 15 years, worrying about minute dirt had fallen away years ago.

So please, I need help. I know nothing about new products that could probably make cleaning this beast of a vehicle easier. Even after all the elbow grease I had, I was dissatisfied with the remnants of bug stains, etc. Is there something I can do to keep those suckers from sticking so bad to that big, flat front end and mirrors before I take it on the road again? Does something actually remove the stains?

I would greatly appreciate if someone could describe a simple maintenance plan - with product names - for me. I am willing to do it, but need the easier of the choices if possible.

Thank you!!!

___________________________________
2013 Honda Pilot EX 4WD Taffeta White

 

[exploreco]

I have a white Pilot as well and love it when it is clean. I used to wax it twice a year but now that I have kids I only have time to do it once a year. Here is what I do.

Every year before a big trip, usually in early June I do a clay bar treatment the entire car (that is optional). Then I use Meguiars NXT Tech 2.0 wax, you can get it at Wal Mart or any parts store. It goes on very easy and comes off very easy and has no wax dust. Not the best but I love Mequiars products. Then during the years, I try to wash at least twice a month. Probably less in the winter because I have to take it to a car wash because it is too cold here. But after that I go over it with Meguiars Quick Detailer. It is a good for in between waxing that will keep things looking good.

For your bug issue, during the summer months, If I know we are taking a long trip, I will put a good coat of wax on the front end and mirrors and then when you get home the bugs will come off with ease.

We just got back from a 3000 mile trip out west and the bugs came right off.

Many different products out there. I just prefer Meguiars because they are readily available and work well in my opinion.

Am pretty OCD about cleaning too so best of luck

 

[MikeyRiz]

What product did you use to wash it? Was it car wash soap? I believe prestone makes a bug remover car wash (im sure there are other brands of this as well) that you may want to use when you wash it after a trip like that. Also turtle wax makes a bug and tar remover spray product for spot cleaning. Ive used it and find it super easy to use... just spray let it sit for a few seconds and wipe...

 

[exploreco]

Also, another thing I have found to help in removing stubborn bugs is to wet the front end and spray on some diluted simple green solution for a couple of minutes. They will come right off with a bug sponge. And simple green is good and safe for almost anything. I use it for carpet cleaning too.

 

[Deidre]

Thank you all! I took you information and headed to the auto parts store. I bought a clay bar kit, some Meguiars wax and some RainX bug and tar remover.

I came home and used the clay bar on the front end and mirrors that I struggled with yesterday, they followed with wax. With that preparation and the bug and tar remover handy, I'm hoping for easier washes in my future!

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[whizmo]

Washing/detailing a car is 80/20 - if you're willing to accept that the car is not absolutely perfectly clean, you can get 80% of the benefit by doing 20% of the work. So becoming a little less OCD results in a lot less work (and worry).

I wash mine every month or so and it takes about an hour. You want to use a good car wash detergent (Costco sells a huge jug that works well and is cheap), a big bucket, and a long-handled, soft-bristled, big car washing brush. Work on small sections and use lots and lots of water. Wet the entire car down, then wash the dirtiest sections first, then do the whole car, then return to the dirtiest sections after the soap and water have had a chance to work for 45 minutes or so. I use a bug sponge to remove anything very stubborn. Have some tar/tree-sap remover handy also. Sometimes I spend extra time on the wheels - it helps to have a couple brushes for this - a big bristled number for overall cleaning and a narrow one to poke into the crevices.

I try and do a wax every year or so, but if I don't get around to it.... well, that's back to the being less OCD and the 80-20 rule. They've done studies and the expensive paste waxes don't last much longer than the simple ones where you spray it on and wipe down. So I use the easy stuff.

They've also done studies and your car's finish will last longer and look better longer if you wash it often and don't wax it at all compared to washing less frequently and waxing. The key things that help a car's finish are frequent washing, garaging, and keeping it out of the sun. Everything else is pretty marginal. And wait a couple years and you'll care a lot less.

BTW, perhaps silver or gray might be a little less work keeping clean, but white is pretty good. If you want a hard car to keep looking nice, try black (or any dark color for that matter).

- Mark

 

[13270]

Thanks for all the tips!

 

[gowen]

whizmo. I agree with you 100% about the black. I have a white Pilot and a black Saab. The Saab is way harder to keep clean. The golden rule about black cars in they are two things. They are clean or need to be cleaned. If I wanted my Saab spotless I'd be washing it daily.

 

[rka4570]

Here is a link to "how to detail a car"
Auto Detailing Facts, auto detailing Tips, How to detailing Guides, how to polish, how to wax, DIY detailing, do it yourself guides