Raptor specific exterior detailing recommendations?

[Rhinomanj]

I have a 2023 Raptor, black, hard top. I absolutely love it and, knock on rocks, have had 0 issues. I occasionally take it off road but mostly in fields, not rock crawling. I wish I would have had it ceramic coated when I first got it. I am looking for your experiences with wax / ceramic products given the 6 or 7 exterior materials on this beast (Rubber, Plastic, Painted Metal, Fiberglass,/Carbon, Other metals).

What products did you use ? Did you have to tape off between exterior materials given that some coatings and wax aren't made for some of these products ?

Thanks in advance

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[CBass]

Why can’t you get it ceramic coated now? Might have to do a paint correction but sounds like you aren’t hard core off-roading. Might be worth finding a reputable shop and see what they say about it. I had mine ceramic coated shortly after getting it. It really does make a huge difference when I wash and detail it. Here is what I use on mine.

Pictured from left to right:

Windows - ProElite Automotive Glass Cleaner - I have tried 100 different glass cleaners and found this one to be the best.

Interior - Griot’s Interior Detailer: I do everything on the inside with this and it’s really good. I don’t like the wet greasy look and this stuff is perfect for me. I don’t use it on the seats. I honestly don’t know what to use on these seats yet so for now I am just using a damp cloth to wipe them down.

Body/Paint - Griots’s Ceramic Speed Shine and regular Speed Shine: I discovered this stuff on my last Bronco and it is awesome. They both work great but after the ceramic coat, I prefer the ceramic speed shine. I have color matched fenders and I had my wheels ceramic coated as well. So my process is washing the Bronco, driving home the long way to air dry it. When I get home, fire up the air compressor and get all the left over water I can out of all the hiding spots. Do a once over with a clean microfiber towel to get anything I missed. Then I do the whole truck with the Ceramic Speed Shine. I just do section at a time. Hood, fenders, each door, etc. You just spray it on, wipe it down dry. I do the whole truck and then another quick round with a clean micro fiber to get anything I may have missed. Do the same for the wheels.

Exterior Trim - 303 Aerospace Protectant: Someone on these forums turned me into this stuff. It’s the best stuff I have found. I get a microfiber towel and spray this stuff on it and wipe down every exterior plastic trim piece as well as the hard top. I then go back around after I get everything and clean up anything I may have gotten on the paint.

For my tires, I just spray them with the Griot’s Interior Detail stuff. Not a huge fan of the wet look and I don’t want the crap slinging all over the paint. Depending on the weather and what I am doing, this process isn’t a regular occurrence. It does take me about 2 hours depending on how filthy it is. That includes driving to and from the car wash. Hope that helps!

 

[Rhinomanj]

Dang, talk about a tutorial !! Much appreciated.
I read last year where someone said Amour All wipes trashed his dash so ever since I have been paranoid as to what to use given how much of my outside is rubber / composite. Heading to AutoZone to get some product Thanks again.

 

[Bschurr]

Proper ceramic coating makes cleanup a breeze!!

 

[Rhinomanj]

That's quite a difference. Did you do your own or did you have a company do it ?

 

[Bschurr]

That's quite a difference. Did you do your own or did you have a company do it ?

Proper ceramic isn’t really a DIY job.

When I picked up my Braptor (November 2023), my detailer paint corrected & then coated it - including the MIC top, wheels, glass, the whole shebang. It requires a bi-annual touch up/re-coat. I hate black vehicles unless they are spotless and the ceramic coating goes a long way to ensure that it maintains a nice appearance with minimal effort.

 

[Spyder625]

looks great, but the raptor running board is a PIA to clean, anyone found anything that removes dirt etc without really scrubbing the crap out of it

 

[Rhinomanj]

looks great, but the raptor running board is a PIA to clean, anyone found anything that removes dirt etc without really scrubbing the crap out of it

I have a stiff nylon brush on a long handle. It's the only thing I have found that works and only after a presoak with dawn dish soap. Definitely a PITA.

 

[Spyder625]

I have a stiff nylon brush on a long handle. It's the only thing I have found that works and only after a presoak with dawn dish soap. Definitely a PITA.

thanks for info, i will try the dawn soap

 

[CBass]

looks great, but the raptor running board is a PIA to clean, anyone found anything that removes dirt etc without really scrubbing the crap out of it

Yes I have and you might think it’s crazy. WD40. I tried everything before this and the only thing that came close was scrubbing it with water and a nylon brush and it’s not always clean. Growing up on a farm, we used WD40 for everything, including getting road tar and other hard to remove crap off our trucks. For the running boards, I just take a rag and spray about 5 seconds worth of WD40 into it and then wipe them down. Less than 30 seconds they look almost brand new. Then I will go back over them quickly with the 303 spray.

Not sure why it works so well but it does. I do not spray WD40 on my paint, just the running boards to be clear.

 

[Ryanc2]

I might have to give that try! I already noticed they didn’t come clean on my last wash and I scrubbed them!

 

[Spyder625]

WD40 is also perfect for lots of bugs on the front just spray and wipe then wax

 

[Rhinomanj]

WD40... I use it to clean my grill, why not my Braptor ???

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