The versatile use profile of the Lexus GX 550 from a day of playing in the mud to a black tie evening at the opera, makes for an important few extra steps when handwashing this beautiful behemoth.
This post is specifically for those of us who have elected NOT to go to a regular Carwash for our GX, and seek to keep the car finish and interior in optimum condition, while still taking the vehicle out for its occasional romps on mountain passes or visits to the dunes.
The first step IMHO - is deciding - if you want to apply an extra level of protection to the vehicle (ceramic / PPF/ PPF followed by ceramic). The nice advantage of PPF for the true āoff-roaderā is the self healing nature of the product when exposed to hot sun. (Minor scratches magically disappear- or so Iām told). If taking that path do it early - if possible in the first week of ownership.
Step two is avoiding incompatible waxes or harsh chemicals.
Step three is removing mud and sand contamination from the vehicle in stages, and delaying the scrubbing the vehicle with a microfiber mitt until dust and debris has been removed in near entirety. (Using a small detail brush for exterior decontamination is very useful in this regard, and for that matter in combination with a vacuum to get the plastic and leather recesses that inevitably collect dust and debris in every interior).
And step four - using fresh ānon-contaminatedā microfiber towels to dry that have not been used for other purposes that have retained occult sand or other particles in the cloth. I personally keep my microfiber towels segregated by color and purpose.
Owning more vehicles than I should, over the years, Iāve found washing my Porsches, the occasional BMW and now this GX distinctly therapeutic. It honestly augments the bond between man and machine, as homme and horse bonded during grooming time in ancient times.
Disclaimer: With the exception of the GX and the 981ās, all of my other vehicles go to āSunday Carwashā - typically on my way home from work. We only have so much time in life - and being discriminating in which vehicles get some extra love is key.
Having an approach to a wash of a luxury vehicle that sees mud and sand exposure is distinctly different from other garaged vehicles that stay inside on rainy days. GXās and other vehicles in its class, if purpose driven, get used and sprayed with mud and sand.
And from the detailing side of things, a few specks of sand can take an effort to beautify and change it into something potentially damaging (at least for those of us on the far end of the car detail spectrum).
As the saying that is applied in wound irrigation prior to closure: ādilution is the solution to the pollution.ā Rinse / soap / rinse / soap .. before any contact.
My approach is very similar this one I saw on YouTube -
Emedās Wash and detail of my GX 550:
Spray rinse, spray soap, gentle detail brush of nooks that hide dirt, light spray to moisten soap, leave for a few more min, Spray rinse #2, spray soap #2, and then Mitt scrub with soap (after any potential sand or debris has been reduced), before a final rinse, silicone squeegee excess water removal and lastly segregated microfiber dry.
My final touch on the GX and the Porsches is twice a month, I will circle the vehicle twice once itās dry and spray it down with āBead makerā which keeps the surface sparkling.
My ending thought is something Iāve learned from Japanese culture: Kiyomero - it is an approach of particular micro-habits from sweeping the stoop of oneās home to something as seemingly mundane as car care, wherein harmony, purity, and wellness are increased. In the Muslim world we use the term āIhsanā or excellence - essentially being God conscious, habitual and intentional in our efforts - to a point where even the mindful and regular task of washing a coveted vehicle can actually become food for the soul ..
Wash day pics to follow - post your pics of your therapeutic wash day with your GX ā¦ the one Iāve posted is an online image ..
This post is specifically for those of us who have elected NOT to go to a regular Carwash for our GX, and seek to keep the car finish and interior in optimum condition, while still taking the vehicle out for its occasional romps on mountain passes or visits to the dunes.
The first step IMHO - is deciding - if you want to apply an extra level of protection to the vehicle (ceramic / PPF/ PPF followed by ceramic). The nice advantage of PPF for the true āoff-roaderā is the self healing nature of the product when exposed to hot sun. (Minor scratches magically disappear- or so Iām told). If taking that path do it early - if possible in the first week of ownership.
Step two is avoiding incompatible waxes or harsh chemicals.
Step three is removing mud and sand contamination from the vehicle in stages, and delaying the scrubbing the vehicle with a microfiber mitt until dust and debris has been removed in near entirety. (Using a small detail brush for exterior decontamination is very useful in this regard, and for that matter in combination with a vacuum to get the plastic and leather recesses that inevitably collect dust and debris in every interior).
And step four - using fresh ānon-contaminatedā microfiber towels to dry that have not been used for other purposes that have retained occult sand or other particles in the cloth. I personally keep my microfiber towels segregated by color and purpose.
Owning more vehicles than I should, over the years, Iāve found washing my Porsches, the occasional BMW and now this GX distinctly therapeutic. It honestly augments the bond between man and machine, as homme and horse bonded during grooming time in ancient times.
Disclaimer: With the exception of the GX and the 981ās, all of my other vehicles go to āSunday Carwashā - typically on my way home from work. We only have so much time in life - and being discriminating in which vehicles get some extra love is key.
Having an approach to a wash of a luxury vehicle that sees mud and sand exposure is distinctly different from other garaged vehicles that stay inside on rainy days. GXās and other vehicles in its class, if purpose driven, get used and sprayed with mud and sand.
And from the detailing side of things, a few specks of sand can take an effort to beautify and change it into something potentially damaging (at least for those of us on the far end of the car detail spectrum).
As the saying that is applied in wound irrigation prior to closure: ādilution is the solution to the pollution.ā Rinse / soap / rinse / soap .. before any contact.
My approach is very similar this one I saw on YouTube -
Emedās Wash and detail of my GX 550:
Spray rinse, spray soap, gentle detail brush of nooks that hide dirt, light spray to moisten soap, leave for a few more min, Spray rinse #2, spray soap #2, and then Mitt scrub with soap (after any potential sand or debris has been reduced), before a final rinse, silicone squeegee excess water removal and lastly segregated microfiber dry.
My final touch on the GX and the Porsches is twice a month, I will circle the vehicle twice once itās dry and spray it down with āBead makerā which keeps the surface sparkling.
My ending thought is something Iāve learned from Japanese culture: Kiyomero - it is an approach of particular micro-habits from sweeping the stoop of oneās home to something as seemingly mundane as car care, wherein harmony, purity, and wellness are increased. In the Muslim world we use the term āIhsanā or excellence - essentially being God conscious, habitual and intentional in our efforts - to a point where even the mindful and regular task of washing a coveted vehicle can actually become food for the soul ..
Wash day pics to follow - post your pics of your therapeutic wash day with your GX ā¦ the one Iāve posted is an online image ..
